Reference
Colors of the Mountain Review
Kevin Hake
Colors of the Mountain by Da Chen is an autobiographical account of Da's experiences growing up during Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution.
Da's family for several generations before the Communists came to power in China had been landlords, which marks them as enemies of the revolution. The early chapters of the book show how even elementary school-age children are inculcated with the culture of hate and Da is bullied and discouraged by classmates and teachers alike.
With no friends at school, Da falls in with some junior criminals where he finds acceptance. His family is not happy about this, but with school such an unappealing environment Da finds happiness and trouble in his new social circle.
Later, as the Cultural Revolution strikes, Da witnesses some of his tormentors and detractors taking a turn in the hotseat as education is devalued.
As the Cultural Revolution grinds on, Da realizes that his lack of focus on education may limit his choices in life and struggles to master English as a pathway to college. He is helped by connections his father makes as an acupuncturist; the barter system of rural China sees many owing the Chen family favors in exchange for treatment. A Chinese Christian woman whose sister was helped by Da's father tutors him in English.
As the story ends, Da and his brother have passed the examinations and been accepted to university; they are both happy to escape the looming destiny of rural farming.
Colors of the Mountain gives a stark glimpse into the world of Mao's China and life in the rural villages that Mao's policies supposedly supported. And despite the culture of fear and repression that Da was surrounded by, he remains by and large an upbeat young man facing enormous challenges as he struggles to make a better life for himself.
While it was an enjoyable read and very informative about a culture most Americans know little about, I felt that the language was often unnecessarily coarse and so not really fit for middle school students. I would recommend the book for juniors or seniors.
