In Manchuria: A Village Called Wasteland and the Transformation of Rural China by Michael MeyerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a riveting book, written about the northeastern part of China known as Manchuria, an area which is not usually written about as much as more southern parts. Manchuria was, however, prominent in the pre-WWII and WWII days, due to the Japanese invasion of China which occurred in that part of the country. I have a special interest in this due to my son's having spent two years very near the village written about in this book; also, several of the things about the culture I observed during my three-week visit there in 2014.
Meyer has tremendous first-hand knowledge, both from his personal experiences and from being married to a Chinese woman who grew up in Wasteland, the village that is the focus of the book. He weaves his personal story with the intricate history of the area. The Japanese influence there caused much bitterness among the older people; the societal changes currently being imposed upon them are causing them much frustration.
This book is full of insight into the specific people with whom Meyer interacted. I could not read too much at once because it was so deep and intertwined. I gave it a 4 only because the book at times got so complex that it was difficult to follow. However, In Manchuria is well worth the reader's time and will give much knowledge about a lesser known area of China that has its own individual history. And Meyer weaves a great story about the people with whom he lived.
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