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Redirected from Revolution is Not a Dinner Party. This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary. It should be expanded to provide more balanced coverage that includes real-world context. Please edit the article to focus on discussing the work rather than merely reiterating the plot. October Learn how and when to remove this template message. Square Fish — via Amazon. Paper Tigers. Archived from the original on August 1, Retrieved 28 June Categories : American novels children's books American historical novels Children's historical novels American young adult novels Chinese-American novels Novels set in Wuhan Books about the Cultural Revolution Henry Holt and Company books Novels about communism. Hidden categories: Articles to be expanded from October All articles to be expanded. Namespaces Article Talk. Views Read Edit View history. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. Download as PDF Printable version. Add links. Historical Fiction. Henry Holt and Co. After reading Mao's last dancer I decided to read "revolution' I loved the book so much that I took it everywhere I went and finished it within a day. Mao's Last dancer and Revolution are one of my favourite books at the moment, they have got me more interested in Chinese history. I would love to read more books like these. Jun 29, Donna Sandidge rated it liked it. Interesting and quick to read. I think this is written for younger readers so I am not the correct demographic. Liked this a bit more than Red Scarf Girl, but both are excellent. Jan 18, Patricia rated it really liked it. While still reading this book, I am struck by the perspective of the young girl as she tries to figure out what is going on around her. Like many young girls, girls who I teach, she is mostly focussed on how the world is treating her: she is being bullied at school, people are disappearing around her, she can't have the things she wants, her parents are whispering. Kids I work with are becoming more and more aware of their surroundings, and I hope they are questioning the way things are. This bo While still reading this book, I am struck by the perspective of the young girl as she tries to figure out what is going on around her. This book lends credence to the thoughts of the young girl, making her out to be a thinker, one who reflects upon the actions and words of those around her. She is capable of learning from her environment and times. I don't know a lot about the Chinese Cultural Revolution aside from the limited stories I remember of young people wanting what we have in America. In the 70s I was having my own struggles "growing up" in a place where people who I thought were good did mean and evil things like Comrade Li. Like Ling, my world as I had envisioned it was deteriorating, not to the extent of her world in China, but nonetheless. Her parents did what I think is the natural thing to do in any crisis: shelter the children, keep on doing what they think is best, take a low key stance, look to the future and what might be listening to Voice of America, practicing English. Compestine shows how complicated a Cultural Revolution is as she depicts the way political unrest affects the daily lives of people, in this case the doctors who are a part of the "bourgeois". Since Compestine wrote this book based on her experiences growing up during the Cultural Revolution I feel that as the insider she gives a realistic picture of how a young girl growing into adolescence would think and act. I was wondering if it wasn't a bit farfetched to have Ling face and fight the Young Pioneers physically, but overall she stuck to simple straightforward language that didn't skirt around the issues. Using the death of Mao and the following civil war like circumstance seemed like a reasonable way to end the story and bring the family together. I guess the part that bothers me, and this is the human aspect of the historical context, is that the revolutionaries wanted the bourgeois to give up their lavish life-style and work in the shoes of the peasant class. However, once in power the revolutionaries BECOME the bourgeois, adding cruel punishments and tortures to their treatment of their perceived enemies. Her attention to the details of food, also come from the perspective of someone who knows about food. At times I could smell and taste the food. My stomach grumbled in sympathetic hunger China's Cultural Revolution is a serious topic, and I thought well presented in this book appropriate for middle schoolers. It ended with with hope. A book like this gives me the human perspective of the historical event. It makes me want to know more, so I go to Bob, my history source, for an informed world history perspective. He reminded me that Mao brought order to China. My response is that for many great thinkers power goes to their heads. They think their ideas are so far superior to any others, that they use any and all resources and propaganda they can gather to force their ideas on others; cruelly punishing any who resist. One thing she said that made an impression was that when the writing gets hard like many of the events in Revolution, she works on her humorous picture books or cook books. She also told us about her next book Banquet for Hungry Ghosts where she illuminates social and political issues via the ghosts. May 04, Maggie rated it really liked it. I listened to this book and found it very engaging. What strength it takes to not follow the majority when that majority is in power and controlled by evil. Example set by strong characters who believe in justice and treat others with dignity makes this book a valuable addition to classroom libraries. May 07, Claire rated it liked it. For some reason I thought this book was going to be an autobiography. Although the book reflects many of the author's experiences growing up, it is an actual fiction book. This would be a good book for a 6th-8th grader to read to learn about the Chinese "revolution". Great historical fiction, but not exactly what I was expecting. Shelves: fiction. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another. In Beijing- I spent time with a 90 year old woman in the Hutong. This woman was one of the few left to have had her feet bou "A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery, it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, couteous, restrained and magnanimous. This woman was one of the few left to have had her feet bound. As I sat next to her gazing at her feet then mine Revolution Is Not A Dinner Party is a moving tale whose basis has been taken from the life of the author and stories of those who lived during that time period to The book was very well written. I could not put it down. It was one of those that you felt like you were remembering the tale- not reading it. The words jumped off the page and into my heart. There was a point in the story when a Female OBGYN had had half her head shaved in punishment because she refused re- education. She ran to her apartment and committed suicide as opposed to them killing her first. She left her mother and 2 sons. The guard demanded her to come back to the courtyard but all they got was a dead body. The sons lost control with grief and anger and lashed out at the guard. In turn the guard almost killed the one son because he would not draw the class line. The grandmother could not bare to see her grandsons die so she drew the line against her daughter in her grief and accepted her daughters re-education. Just one of many horrifying moments in history, no? Why do people repeat the mistakes- the atrocities- over and over and over. And in the midst- there is always the unsung hero's who try and help others. They didn't intend to be a hero when they woke up in the morning- life situations evolved and they rose to the occasion with their conscious in tact. Don't miss this read of a 9 year old girl's story of growing up and trying to survive in an unforgiving situation. This book starts out on the mellow side, but winds up getting pretty intense. Nov 13, Jeannie rated it it was amazing. Some things never change! I've read enough books about upheavals and revolutions to where the routine starts to become the same. Whether on the far right or far left, freedoms are taken, food becomes scarce for the non-elite, neighbors are pitted against neighbor, and children pitted against parents while the media is controlled and the radio blasts pro regime music. This particular account taking place in China is especially interesting as it, unlike World War II stories, takes place in my life Some things never change! This particular account taking place in China is especially interesting as it, unlike World War II stories, takes place in my lifetime. I'd heard about the Cultural Revolution, but I'd never realized the extent of it. The author bases the story on her own family and experiences and they are quite amazing. It is fascinating to me how China has morphed from the 70s, to the 80s when I was able to visit, to the present. The book starts out a bit silly and slow as a basis for character growth and development through the family's challenges, so don't be put off by the first chapter or so. Ling is a great main character and puts events in perspective. Mar 21, Victoria rated it liked it. This was just ok for me, more because the audiobook was a little weird. But it is a devastating story seen through the eyes of a young girl who sees her world turned upside down by the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The sense of fear and paranoia throughout society was very tangible and well-written. Apr 11, Saad rated it it was amazing. Ling lives in Maoist China, idolizing Chairman Mao. When she goes to her new school, she wants to fit in and be like everyone else, but her family are billed as bourgeois sympathizers, so no one dares befriend her. Even her old friends abandon her. Feb 26, Richie Partington rated it it was amazing Shelves: fiction. The air was heavy with the smell of fresh ink. I spotted a white poster with Father's name on it in black ink. Over his name was a big red X, bright as blood. Father held my hand tighter and walked faster without answering. Once in our apartment, he ran to the fireplace, lit a fire, and threw in his letters and books. Wisps of burnt paper bumped around inside the fireplace like frightened black butterflies. He even threw in his red tie and the English book we had made together. The fire slowly destroyed the picture of the little girl -- first her dress, then her ice cream, and finally her face and hair. Sitting in Father's large leather chair, I fought back tears, feeling my happy days were burning away with the girl. I held my breath as he stared at it. At last, he put it back. Not yet,' he mumbled. I let out my breath. First, half her family's apartment is confiscated to provide living quarters for Comrade Li, the new political officer for the hospital. Next, Dr. Wong, her father's best friend is taken away after being cited by Comrade Li as an enemy of the State. Then Ling is shunned and attacked at school for being from "a nonworking bourgeois family" because her father is a surgeon at the hospital rather than being a worker in a factory, in the army, or on a farm. It does not matter that Dr. Wong and Ling's father had both previously turned down valuable opportunities to emigrate to America and practice medicine with Dr. Smith, their teacher from San Francisco but, instead, chose to put their energy into the new China. Things continue to spiral downward: "Father was soon ordered by Comrade Li to mop floors and scrub bathrooms in the hospital. He could no longer work as a doctor. Her editor explained to me that some names have been changed. But the events depicted here were the real deal for the author. She lived this tale of terror during her childhood and adolescence in the city of Wuhan during the era preceding Mao's death. The book also serves as Compestine's ode to the father who struggled to provide her a happy and fulfilling childhood amidst the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, while also being steadfast in his determination to abide by and pass on the Physician's Creed that he had taken to heart, and of which he had hidden a copy in their home: " A great physician should not pay attention to status, wealth, or age. Nor should he question whether his patient is an enemy or friend. Was class struggle an excuse to punish good people? I felt frustrated that I had no one to whom I could ask my questions. It is certainly hard to imagine that anything I picked up could be more riveting or significant than this one is. Jun 23, Neha rated it it was amazing. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Yet, the family still lived with a Mao supporter under their roof; one who leaves veiled threats and it is suspected that he wishes to inform on them. It provides an honest perspective through the eyes of Ling As demonstrated by the following quotations, Mao believed that violence and support from the masses were necessary for the achievement of a peaceful communist order. One of the most critical challenges faced by Mao in this regard was establishing strong military support for the revolution while simultaneously preventing the armed forces from becoming too powerful. Mao's concerns are reflected in the last two quotations; while arguing that political power cannot be achieved without resorting to the use of force, "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun" — the gun being a metaphor for the military , Mao also believed that the party must always remain in ultimate political control of the nation in order for peace and prosperity to be achieved " Quotations from Mao Zedong on War and Revolution. A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another. The Revolution is Not a Dinner Party

Sitting in Father's large leather chair, I fought back tears, feeling my happy days were burning away with the girl. I held my breath as he stared at it. At last, he put it back. Not yet,' he mumbled. I let out my breath. First, half her family's apartment is confiscated to provide living quarters for Comrade Li, the new political officer for the hospital. Next, Dr. Wong, her father's best friend is taken away after being cited by Comrade Li as an enemy of the State. Then Ling is shunned and attacked at school for being from "a nonworking bourgeois family" because her father is a surgeon at the hospital rather than being a worker in a factory, in the army, or on a farm. It does not matter that Dr. Wong and Ling's father had both previously turned down valuable opportunities to emigrate to America and practice medicine with Dr. Smith, their teacher from San Francisco but, instead, chose to put their energy into the new China. Things continue to spiral downward: "Father was soon ordered by Comrade Li to mop floors and scrub bathrooms in the hospital. He could no longer work as a doctor. Her editor explained to me that some names have been changed. But the events depicted here were the real deal for the author. She lived this tale of terror during her childhood and adolescence in the city of Wuhan during the era preceding Mao's death. The book also serves as Compestine's ode to the father who struggled to provide her a happy and fulfilling childhood amidst the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, while also being steadfast in his determination to abide by and pass on the Physician's Creed that he had taken to heart, and of which he had hidden a copy in their home: " A great physician should not pay attention to status, wealth, or age. Nor should he question whether his patient is an enemy or friend. Was class struggle an excuse to punish good people? I felt frustrated that I had no one to whom I could ask my questions. It is certainly hard to imagine that anything I picked up could be more riveting or significant than this one is. Jun 23, Neha rated it it was amazing. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Yet, the family still lived with a Mao supporter under their roof; one who leaves veiled threats and it is suspected that he wishes to inform on them. It provides an honest perspective through the eyes of Ling To have hope for the future during such a time is almost unimaginable. But Ling presses on and becomes a strong young woman, able to help her mother as food becomes scarce and even as her father is taken away and imprisoned by their very man living in their apartment, Comrade Li. I recommend this book as a good starting place for learning about this time in history - especially since it is written but a China native woman. Each incident of brutality and the discriminatory behavior within the class-driven society where money talks and allows Mao supporters to have meat while more common people and non-supporters fight for food in never-ending lines is almost unbearable to read about. But it is the truth of a sliver of history and that is what must always be made known. Nov 29, Ang rated it liked it Shelves: ya-book-recommendations , audiobooks. I listened to the CD audiobook version of this story. During this time Mao came to power and changed the government and life for all of China's people. Ying shows us how things became worse and worse for her and her family. First it started with them having to share their home with Comrade Lee, who then began taking their food in exchange for origami figures. Then they s I listened to the CD audiobook version of this story. Then they started to become censured in what they could say, read, watch and listen. Then their came the food and material rations. Then her parents had to take different jobs. They could no longer be the doctors they were before. After that, Ying's father was imprisoned and her and her mother lived on the verge of starvation for several years. Through harassment and beatings Ying suffered through at school, she developed her strength and anger. It wasn't until after Mao died that things slowly changed for Ying and her family. Soon after Comrade Lee was found to be in cohorts with Mao's wife to try and overthrow the government that Ying's father was released from prison and was reinstated as a doctor. Ying's mother too. This is a harrowing tale, and a frightful one of a life that we're lucky to not have to experience It just makes you really appreciate everything you have in life, because it could always be worse. Even though things were terrible, Ying and her mother always clung on the fine string of hope that things would change and that they would be reunited with their loved one s. May 16, AvidReader rated it really liked it. Ling is able to persevere through the unjust arrest of her father and the unfair discriminatory treatment that she and her entire family receive. But, by far the most admirable thing about Ling, in my opinion, is the fact that she stands up for herself against Gao and his gang risking her life. They cling on to hope and eventually succeed. It is amazing that this author took a unique and special challenge to write this book. Whom you can recommend and why: I can recommend this book to anyone who has a passion for history or a good story with morals. Mar 04, Elle rated it really liked it. Ling Chang is a happy child living in 's China with her two parents. The family lives a comfortable life in their large apartment until Comrade Li, a revolutionary from Chairman Mao's inner circle begins living with the Chang family. To Ling, Comrade Li's arrival was pretty non-threatening, as he would play little games with Ling and give her trinkets. To Ling's parents, they saw that the Maoist Period was taking full effect. Not only did Comrade Li move into that apartment but many other of Ling Chang is a happy child living in 's China with her two parents. Not only did Comrade Li move into that apartment but many other officers did, creating a threat from the rest of the public. To Mao and his officers, they saw that the Chinese Revolution was finally taking and place and that will China will be "better". As the years go on, living gets harder and the punishments get more cruel. People close to Ling's family get taken to labor camps and Comrade Li had gotten colder towards the Chang family, and Ling started to notice her world falling apart. Along with most of the public, Ling started to notice just how forceful the government was and began to become more resourceful. As for Mao's officers and supporters, their patriotism only grew stronger as they though China was becoming better. These two opposing views make this story perfect for anyone who enjoys history and and seeing things from an actual person who has experienced that event firsthand. Apr 20, Nasiab rated it really liked it. This book is about a girl named Ling and shes 9 years old and parents are both doctors. Ling is trying to learn English and the only way for her to learn English is to listen to the radio. Her father'' Mao'' teaches ling how to speak English. Also lings mom is very strict and wants ling to be polite and act like a lady. But she doesn't really like being lady like. That's why ling likes her father more than her mother. The This book is about a girl named Ling and shes 9 years old and parents are both doctors. Then one day political officers moved into lings house. The political officers look at everything, smells things, and sometimes they break things, to see if they're hiding something. The political officers killed just wanted them to suffer and they took lings dad to jail. The reason why they took him to jail because he was one of the best doctor's. The only thing they got to do was visit Mao. So that's what happened in the book "Revolution is Not a Dinner Party". I like how the book explains everything. May 13, Davin M rated it really liked it. I think "Revolution is not a Dinner Party" is overall a good book. It has good character and plot development. The storyline is very interesting because it is set in China when Chairman Mao was emperor. It shows us insight of what it might be like to live as a young middle class chinese girl and is educational. I would recommend this book to people who are trying to get an insight on how life was when Chairman Mao was ruler in China. I don't think a view from a 13 year old will give you much on I think "Revolution is not a Dinner Party" is overall a good book. I don't think a view from a 13 year old will give you much on traditions or the lifestyle, but it does give you on how life was. One thing I would add in this book is different perspectives. In one chapter I would put the reader in one characters shoes and in the next chapter in a different characters. This would be an interesting add because the readers could get a perspective on what is really going on instead if what a 13 thinks is going on. I had my ten-year old son read this to me after having red Animal Farm. There were many things to like: First, the level of writing was sufficiently challenging for a ten-year old without being burdensome. Animal Farm had a lot more difficult vocabulary. Secondly, the period of history was fascinating and instructive. It followed on well after reading Animal Farm. We saw clear parallels between the pigs in Animal Farm and the corrupt cadres in the Cultural Revolution. The characters were well port I had my ten-year old son read this to me after having red Animal Farm. The characters were well portrayed and developed. In particular, the development of the narrator, Ling, from a meek, passive, victim, to a fearless wolf, was satisfying. The story provided a good moral lesson of both the danger of ideology and the virtue of courage in a challenging time. Highly recommended for children ten years and above. Aug 12, Shari Strider rated it really liked it. The revolution in China is the subject of this book. It is written for students in Gr. The author was a child in China during the revolution and much of what she wrote about she lived through. I thought it was excellent. Mao was a dictator, and I think we will find that the leader of North Korea is doing to his own people the same sort of things that happened in China. I think we will be ashamed of what the world allowed to happen in this country. That said, the story delt whith The revolution in China is the subject of this book. That said, the story delt whith what happened in China during that revolution, and it wasn't pretty. I don't think many schools would have this in their library, but I may be wrong. It is definitely about teaching those in different "classes" to hate one another. Nine year old Ling lives through China's Cultural Revolution, in a story that's informed by the author's own experiences as a child during that time. It's not an autobiography or a memoir, though because of Compestine's history there's a genuine sense of realism here, and a convincing depiction of the confusion and sense of constant, uncomprehending threat that she must have felt herself. Books like this, told from a child's perspective, must I think be very difficult to write because the author Nine year old Ling lives through China's Cultural Revolution, in a story that's informed by the author's own experiences as a child during that time. In effect, it's almost two stories told in parallel, and it's really very well done here. I gobbled it all down in one sitting and was sorry when it was over. The story of Ling, a brave little girl who had to face difficulties during the revolution of China is indeed an inspiring and a powerful one. The pain of loss and sacrifice had been beautifully woven into the story. The class division and what it brought upon the people was painful to read. Been read a little about Mao and his work in developing China, I was really drawn into the story. Of course made me more curious to learn about the revolutionary China. The protagonist, Ling was a very powerf The story of Ling, a brave little girl who had to face difficulties during the revolution of China is indeed an inspiring and a powerful one. The protagonist, Ling was a very powerful and an inspiring character. Her character development was beautiful and extraordinary! It was as if I watched a tiny mollycoddled girl turn into a brave woman! Well written, interesting, beautiful, heart breaking and a gripping story!! Oct 19, Hannah Rozen-wheeler rated it it was amazing. Nine-year-old Ling has a very exciting life. Her parents are "both dedicated doctors at the best hospital in Wuhan," and her dad teaches her English as they listen to the "Voice of America" on the radio. When one of Mao's officers moves into a room in the apartment, Ling witnesses the "gradual disintegration" of her universe. In an atmosphere of increasing mistrust and animosity, Ling is afraid something terrible might happen to her family and neighbors. For the next four years, she "will suffer Nine-year-old Ling has a very exciting life. For the next four years, she "will suffer more horrors than many people face in a lifetime. Or will fighting to survive break her spirit-and end her life? Shelves: read-for-cyrm. Nine-year- old Ling lives in China during the Communist era and is in a family that is very high at risk for punishment by the government. The book chronicles Ling's the author's life for about 3 years until things get a little bit better for her. Let me just say first WOW. I mean really this was book was so insightful and truthful, riveting yet slow. I'll never forget it. I still didn't fully get it until reading this book when I was shocked that this kind of society was allowed to flourish in the Orient for so long. I loved Ling's vivid descriptions of this strange world where pictures of the great Chairman Mao who was like God hung all over the buildings, revolutionary quotes and songs blast from loudspeakers all day long, people were tortured and arrested by privileged "comrades" for being burgeois old-fashioned or members of the middle class, which was scorned , and schools were run by the bullying sons and daughters of the comrades. It was just so crazy and outrageous compared to what gets people up in arms in our world today. How could only 40 years ago this be allowed to grow and occur by other countries? I don't understand it. Back to Ling. I found her a fun heroine, almost like a Katniss Everdeen in a sense at least later in the book maybe not so much at the beginning. I loved watching Ling grow from a wilted little flower who understood nothing about the world she lived in to a fighter who defended herself against revolutionary bullies and bartered fiercely for food at the empty markets like Katniss and her hunting and the Seam. She amazed me. I really liked the character she became in the end, which was much better than the clueless little girl she had been at the start which always infuriates a reader. I really enoyed Ling's descriptions of her struggle since the last part of the book, and how she told about them as if she were an adult simply dealing with the doldrums of life. I have complete respect for the extreme courage and character she displayed. What always made me happy in this book was you guessed it : the food! Oh, man, her descriptions of the Chinese cuisine made your mouth water and pity Ling whenever she was describing the deliciousness of a dish she could no longer have, or the scarcity of food. I remember countless scenes where Ling would be eating rice and some kind of meat and veggies and how her parents were giving her their food and I was thinking, "Oh, I wish I was Ling right now! Even bartering for food in the market sounded awesome. And I think part of the reason for this is that people covet and desire simplicity and work. People, deep down inside, miss being what we used to be: people who hunted, made, and gathered our food ourselves, or at least had trouble getting it. I will talk more about this point in my review of The Hunger Games , because I think this desire had a vital part in why people love the series so much. Anyway, I think this is the main reason why I liked these aspects of the book so much. And then I also think that the foreigness of it all fascinated it me. Not that I really would want to live in her world. NO WAY. Just a certain part of the way the story is told makes you think you would live a more exciting life if you were living with Ling and her family. And then you start to feel like you are Ling because of the voice the author used. Connecting with her was easy for me. I mean, it was just events from real life, so it sometimes seemed slow, but it was still so compelling. I really couldn't put it down so I really don't recommend reading this when busy. I made that mistake aand hope never to again unlikely. Overall, this book is a MUST read. I am so torn this year as to who to vote for. I'd alredy read Every Soul A Star before and it was one of my favorite books, so I was sure that as usual that would be my vote by a landslide. Oh, no! That is NOT the case! I have NO idea who to vote for now! They should all win! Read this book if you're looking for something a little different than all that if you're my friend on Goodreads YA popular stuff we're always reading. Go big and try something new and adventurous. Plus, it gives you a new enthusiasm for food! Nov 05, Chrissi rated it it was amazing Shelves: young-adult , historical-fiction , memoir , nonwestern-lit. I read this all in one sitting this afternoon. Whoever sides with the revolutionary people in deed as well as in word is a revolutionary in the full sense. I hold that it is bad as far as we are concerned if a person, a political party, an army or a school is not attacked by the enemy, for in that case it would definitely mean that we have sunk to the level of the enemy. It is good if we are attacked by the enemy, since it proves that we have drawn a clear line of demarcation between the enemy and ourselves. It is still better if the enemy attacks us wildly and paints us as utterly black and without a single virtue; it demonstrates that we have not only drawn a clear line of demarcation between the enemy and ourselves but achieved a great deal in our work. Our stand is that of the proletariat and of the masses. For members of the Communist Party, this means keeping to the stand of the Party, keeping to Party spirit and Party policy. After the enemies with guns have been wiped out, there will still be enemies without guns; they are bound to struggle desperately against us, and we must never regard these enemies lightly. If we do nor now raise and understand the problem in this way, we shall commit the gravest mistakes. The imperialists and domestic reactionaries will certainly not take their defeat Lying down and they will struggle to the last ditch. After there is peace and order throughout the country, they will still engage in sabotage and create disturbances in various ways and will try every day and every minute to stage a comeback. This is inevitable, beyond all doubt, and under no circumstances must we relax our vigilance. In China, although in the main socialist transformation has been completed with respect to the system of ownership, and although the large-scale and turbulent class struggles of the masses characteristic of the previous revolutionary periods have in the main come to an end, there are still remnants of the overthrown landlord and comprador classes, there is still a bourgeoisie, and the remolding of the petty bourgeoisie has only just started. The class struggle is by no means over. The class struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, the class struggle between the different political forces, and the class struggle in the ideological held between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie will continue to be long and tortuous and at times will even become very acute. The proletariat seeks to transform the world according to its own world outlook, and so does the bourgeoisie. In this respect, the question of which will win out, socialism or capitalism, is still not really settled. It will take a long period to decide the issue in the ideological struggle between socialism and capitalism in our country. The reason is that the influence of the bourgeoisie and of the intellectuals who come from the old society will remain in our country for a long time to come, and so will their class ideology. If this is not sufficiently understood, or is not understood at all, the gravest mistakes will be made and the necessity of waging the struggle in the ideological field will be ignored. In our country bourgeois and petty-bourgeois ideology, anti-Marxist ideology will continue to exist for a long time. Basically, the socialist system has been established in our country. We have won the basic victory in transforming the ownership of the means of production, but we have not yet won complete victory on the political and ideological fronts. In the ideological field, the question of who will win in the struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie has not been really settled yet. We still have to wage a protracted struggle against bourgeois and petty bourgeois ideology. It is wrong not to understand this and to give up ideological struggle. All erroneous ideas, all poisonous weeds, all ghosts and monsters, must be subjected to criticism; in no circumstance should they be allowed to spread unchecked. However, the criticism should be fully reasoned, analytical and convincing, and not rough, bureaucratic, metaphysical or dogmatic. Both dogmatism and revisionism run counter to Marxism. Marxism must certainly advance; it must develop along with the development of practice and cannot stand still. It would become lifeless if it remained stagnant and stereotyped. However, the basic principles of Marxism must never be violated, or otherwise mistakes will be made. It is dogmatism to approach Marxism from a metaphysical point of view and to regard it as something rigid. It is revisionism to negate the basic principles of Marxism and to negate its universal truth. Revisionism is one form of bourgeois ideology. The revisionists deny the differences between socialism and capitalism, between the dictatorship of the proletariat and the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. What they advocate is in fact not the socialist line but the capitalist line. In present circumstances, revisionism is more pernicious than dogmatism. One of our current important tasks on the ideological front is to unfold criticism of revisionism. Revisionism, or Right opportunism, is a bourgeois trend of thought that is even more dangerous than dogmatism. The revisionists, the Right opportunists, pay lip service to Marxism; they too attack "dogmatism". However, what they are really attacking is the quintessence of Marxism. They oppose or distort materialism and dialectics, oppose or try to weaken the people's democratic dictatorship and the leading role of the Communist Party, and oppose or try to weaken socialist transformation and socialist construction.

Quote by Mao Tse-tung: “A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing ”

She and her mother struggle to survive as food grows scarce and is rationed, electricity is interrupted, her doctor parents lose their jobs, and a political officer moves into their apartment, with the family getting no say in the matter. Ling's father is taken away to jail, she is targeted by bullies at school, and the family is persecuted by the Red Guards. As a storybook heroine, Ling is very relatable; her determined defiance of the bullies and Red Guards is admirable, exciting, and satisfying. The events of the book, carefully described so as not to be too overwhelming to the younger reader, often seem like escapades or adventures. Her growth in maturity and inner strength makes this as much a coming-of-age novel as an historical one. All of these features make it an excellent introduction for upper elementary and middle school readers to this frightening period in Chinese history. To a Western child growing up in comfort and privilege, stories of the Chinese Cultural Revolution can be hard to understand as history. It can seem more like a tale of an insane asylum where the inmates have taken over, and the lack of sense and logic can be almost as frightening as the violence. Compestine's decision to fictionalize her memoir was a good one; it makes the history far more approachable than, say, a book such as Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-li Jiang, which is more realistic but, by the same token, harder to relate to. Families can talk about the Cultural Revolution. Why was the government so harsh to its people? Why would neighbors turn each other in to be arrested? Why didn't the citizens fight back? What do you think of Ling? Do you think you could be as strong as she is under such challenging circumstances? Can you imagine the government telling you that you have to accept a political officer moving into your home? Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. See how we rate. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. The star rating reflects overall quality. Learn how we rate. Parents' Ultimate Guide to Support our work! Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party. Gripping story, great intro to China's Cultural Revolution. Ying Chang Compestine Historical Fiction Rate book. Read or buy. Based on 2 reviews. Based on 3 reviews. Get it now Searching for streaming and purchasing options Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Get it now on Searching for streaming and purchasing options A lot or a little? The parents' guide to what's in this book. Educational Value. Positive Messages. Kids can survive, even in adversity, when they have strong values and the love of their family. Ling stands up to bullies, looks out for her neighbors, stays true to herself, and never gives up hope of realizing her dreams. Adults smoke, one gets drunk. What parents need to know Parents need to know that this novel is a fictionalized memoir of the author's own experience and a gritty portrayal of everyday life in China during Mao's Cultural Revolution, where the population was terrorized by the government, Red Guards, and lived in constant fear amid deprivation. Stay up to date on new reviews. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. User Reviews Parents say Kids say. Adult Written by Damntheworstmov June 27, Too much of everything! I wanted to be here in case they ever brought him back to the hospital. Something cold drizzled through my hair. Within a second, my scalp burned. Her ox-bone comb scraped against my raw scalp. Mother stopped. Stiffening my back, I waited for her to scold me for raising my voice and showing disrespect. What was she planning to do now? There must be another way! I even emptied the lamp. We received two cups of coal oil each month. Now I hated myself for being caught and for falling asleep on the dirty mattress. As far back as I could remember, she had told me that ladies should let their hair grow. I wanted to be a mean dragon. More than anything, I wanted to stop the pain and itching. Discussion Questions 1. The title of this book comes from a passage from Mao Tse-tung's Little Red Book: "A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gently, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained, and magnanimous. Why do you think Chairman Mao was so easily able to turn neighbors against neighbors during the Cultural Revolution? Ling's mother is able to sense early on that things in China are changing on page 11, Ling notes that her mother had been in a bad mood for almost a year. What early indications does the author give that "danger [is] knocking on doors all over China"? Why does Ling's mother disapprove of so much of her behavior page 15? Why do you think Mother seems to Ling "like a proud white rose," which Ling is "afraid to touch because of [the] thorns" page 40? A propaganda film is a film produced often by a government to convince the viewer of a certain political point or influence the opinions or behavior of people. What effect did watching this film have on the students at Ling's school? Why do you think Ling did not react to the film in the same way as her classmates? Why do you think food is so central to this book? Ling's understanding of what bourgeois means changes throughout the book. Based on the events of the novel, what did the word mean during China's Cultural Revolution? Why was it bad for a family to be bourgeois? Father chose to stay in China rather than go to America with Dr. Smith to help build a new China. Why are the two groups people like Mother and Father and devotees of Chairman Mao not able to work together to build a new China? When Ling asks Mother why her family needs to hang so many portraits of Mao in their apartment page , Mother explains, "It's like the incense we burn in the summer to keep the mosquitos away. What does the Golden Gate Bridge represent to Ling and her family? Ji, the antirevolutionary writer Ling and Father save, says "dark clouds have concealed the sun for too long" before he leaves their apartment page What does he mean? What keeps Ling, Mother, and Father from losing hope like Mr. Ji and the baby doctor did? Why does Father operate on Comrade Sin? A simile is a literary device that uses like or as to compare two things. Can you think of a time in America's history when the political atmosphere was like that in Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party? Why do you think people, no matter what country they live in, behave this way? Home 1 Kids' Books 2. Read an excerpt of this book! Add to Wishlist. Sign in to Purchase Instantly. Members save with free shipping everyday! See details. Overview The summer of , before I turned nine, danger began knocking on doors all over China. Nine-year-old Ling has a very happy life. Her parents are both dedicated surgeons at the best hospital in Wuhan, and her father teaches her English as they listen to Voice of America every evening on the radio. But when one of Mao's political officers moves into a room in their apartment, Ling begins to witness the gradual disintegration of her world. In an atmosphere of increasing mistrust and hatred, Ling fears for the safety of her neighbors, and soon, for herself and her family. For the next four years, Ling will suffer more horrors than many people face in a lifetime. https://static.s123-cdn-static.com/uploads/4643574/normal_601efbd83c053.pdf https://static.s123-cdn-static.com/uploads/4643832/normal_601f73494452d.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9588106/UploadedFiles/37E67D96-B20D-6EB9-70B4-6FAA216F3AAA.pdf https://uploads.strikinglycdn.com/files/8c612575-a09c-4dc3-abc7-63ad3f2bc430/espresso-fur-dich-62.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9589197/UploadedFiles/60125210-6B09-5EB7-3F2F-ECD9C2801A29.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9592248/UploadedFiles/D0D86ABD-E32D-835B-DF80-652FB0DD30D7.pdf