Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party

Starred review from July 9, 2007
Picture book and cookbook author Compestine (The Real Story of Stone Soup
) turns to 1972 China as the setting for her first YA novel. Eight-year-old Ling, the spunky daughter of two doctors, lives in Wuhan, China; dreamy and idealistic, she often describes her world in metaphor (about her neighbor, Ling notes, “Mrs. Wong was fragrant and warm like a red peony, which always welcomed visitors”). But the lives of Ling and her family are disrupted when Comrade Li, an officer of the Communist Party, moves into their apartment. Difficulties mount as friends and neighbors disappear, Ling’s father is arrested and she endures vicious tormenting at school because of her “bourgeois” background (“At times I wished my family was poor and my parents worked on a vegetable farm... so I could have friends. But if my parents worked on a farm, who would treat their patients?”). Although her father has been jailed, her family starved and their books burned, Ling fights to keep her long hair, a symbol of dignity and individualism to her, though her classmates see it as emblematic of Ling’s “privilege.” Ling survives on wit, hope and courage until the death of Chairman Mao, after which she and her mother have a joyful reunion with Ling’s father. Readers should remain rapt by Compestine’s storytelling throughout this gripping account of life during China’s Cultural Revolution. Ages 10-up.

February 1, 2008
Gr 5 Up-Ling, the daughter of two doctors, has a comfortable life in Wuhan, China. She enjoys her English lessons with her father and the walks they take along the river. Her life changes dramatically when Comrade Li, one of Maos political officers, moves into her familys apartment in this coming-of-age novel (Holt, 2007) by Ying Chang Compestine. Ling watches helplessly as family friends are taken away by the military. Her father burns old photos and English language books, hoping to protect his family. Each family member keeps up appearances of being a Mao supporter while quietly helping others maintain a reasonable quality of life. Ling matures far beyond her 13 years as she copes with her fathers eventual imprisonment and the constant torment by classmates who have joined the Red Guard. Narrator Jodi Long skillfully moves from naïve Ling who never quite accepts the hardships in her life to belligerent and officious Comrade Li who seems to find pleasure in hurting others. Long easily conveys Lings confusion and bewilderment through her tone and pacing, and powerfully communicates Lings inner strength and determination that life will improve some day. This semi-autobiographical novel comes alive with the authors rich descriptions of the sights and smells of China at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution."Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2008
In Compestine's semi-autobiographical account of growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution, nine-year-old Ling's comfortable middle-class life rapidly deteriorates after Mao officer Comrade Li moves into their apartment and begins subjecting them to fierce anti-bourgeois propaganda and political terrorism. Conditions decline even further after Ling's father is imprisoned for treason. Narrator Long's pacing is compelling as she carefully builds to a horrifying crescendo. Her mastery of the characters is evident as she barks out Li's shrill, nasal commands while also conveying Ling's growing disillusionment in a milieu of distrust, betrayal, and turmoil.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)