Red Poppies: A Novel of Tibet

The novel Red Poppies, by Alai is a novel that details the fall of the chieftains of Tibet prior to the Chinese takeover in 1959. Alai, a poet, author, and editor of the magazine, Science Fiction World, uses fiction characters to tell the story of Tibet in the early 20th century. This novel is translated by Howard Goldwalt and Sylvia Li-chun Lin.
Red Poppies is the story of the second born son of the Maichi chieftain who is considered an “idiot.” The story follows the “idiot” son as he is compared to his older brother (the heir to the clan). The second son’s commentary throughout the book details the planting of poppies (seeds given to the clan by a Han Chinese official), rivalries among the clans, trading post and economic negotiations, and relationships between various classes of people. The second son continually shows he is not such an “idiot” and repeatedly makes better decisions than his brother. Throughout the story the reader follows the second son as he explains the treatment of servants/slaves, holy men, and women. The story ends with the downfall of the Tibetan chieftain system at the hands of the Han Chinese.
The timeline of Red Poppies is a bit unclear, but the reader gets the sense that events are happening in roughly chronological order. The point of view of an “idiot” gives the character license to comment on situations and the reader learns of the events through this lens. The novel explores the subjects of the role of slaves and servants in Tibet as well as the focus on the first son as the hereditary leader. In Red Poppies the characters have an odd relationship with religious figures, quite different than the image of Buddhist devotees of Lhasa as it depicts the life of Tibetans beyond the holy city of Lhasa. Alai explores the exploitation of the Tibetan people through cultivation of poppy seeds. A section of the book is designated to tell the story of the decision of the chieftain to plant poppy seeds on his land at the behest of a Han official. The people “go mad” from the poppies, but also grow rich. The following season the Maichi family must decide whether to plant poppies or grain and through the insight of the “idiot” son they choose grain, making them even richer. The section on the poppies is a commentary on the struggle China experienced in the 19th century with the opium addiction. Poor, illiterate Tibetans are given an opportunity to make money and fall under the thumb of the Chinese government, but they are not educated enough to understand the consequences. Similar to the Chinese government under the advisement of Great Britain. The novel concludes with the end of the chieftain era as the Han Chinese move into the region.
Overall Red Poppies was a different look at the region of Tibet. Tibet tends to be synonymous with Buddhism, but outside of Lhasa that is not necessarily the case. Historical fiction, though not viewed as “scholarly” is a good way to hold the reader’s interest in events of the past. I feel I could use this book with higher level students (AP World History seniors) in my classroom. I will be adding this novel to my shelf for the Book Review assignment that I have the students compete each marking period.

Amy Liberatore
Grades 10-12
Courses: AP World History, AP US History, Survey of World Religions elective
Warrior Run High School, Turbotville, PA
Red Poppies: A novel of Tibet by Alai is a story set at the beginning of the 20th century as Tibetan chieftains strive to amass power and wealth at a time when forces outside their control, namely the Chinese Nationalist and Communist, threaten to destroy their way of life. Told from the point of view of the second son of a powerful warlord, Chief Maichi, the novel provides a glimpse of the many intimate aspects of a chieftain´s family life, while presenting the regional inter-workings of Tibetan politics, economics, religious beliefs, and culture. The Maichi family agrees to grow poppies for the Nationalist Chinese in exchange for advanced weapons. This fateful decision allows the Maichi to amass significant wealth and power, but when all the warlords decide to grow poppies, instead of food, famines strikes, causing more conflict among the chieftains. The Maichi wealth and superior firepower saves them from death. Despite Chief Maichi´s second son being proclaimed an ¨idiot¨, he proves to be more reflective, cunning, and realistic than those around him who hold power. When given responsibilities by his father, he makes wise choices and gains much respect, even from other chieftains and outsiders. At times, the second son´s insights are prophetic and accurately address timeless truths about power, relationships, leadership, and the passing of time.
Red Poppies grants excellent insight into the social hierarchy of Tibet, the ethical and cultural differences between the Tibetans and the Han Chinese, various perspectives on Buddhism, and marital and familial relationships, in addition to many dynamics of regional warlord politics. These topics would be applicable for Tibetan historical or cultural studies, as related to world history. Portions of the novel relate to historical connections between Tibet and China. Teachers could use sections of the novel in order to introduce or reinforce concepts related to these topics, as students typically find novels or personal accounts of history more accessible. Some may find the writing/translation in-cohesive at some points, as the narrator explains what he wants to share with the reader. Those with some knowledge of Tibet, Chinese history in the early 20th century, and Buddhism will more fully appreciate the many facets of this novel. This novel may not be appropriate for some students due the more explicit sexual content throughout.