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aprilaprilapril's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The story of Xiangzi, the rickshaw man in question, is a true tragedy. His honest, hardworking, and idealistic character comes through so strongly, as well as his dream to make something of himself. Yet he is trampled in a sick society where the poor are condemned. Laoshe convincingly shows how money is more than subsistence - it can be substance of fate itself, of dignity and of dreams. The lack thereof is soul-crushing and soul-murdering.
graceashbrook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
loui_garnier's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting view upon the social and economic life of most Chinese people of the 20th century. The way the author builds his social critique around the main character - Xiangzi - and the lives of those around him is subtle, and yet powerful.
This book's strenght comes from the flow of the narrative. Even though Xiangzi goes through a lot in a short period of time, the writing doesn't overtake the reader, giving space for us to understand everything he's going through. Sometimes even the description of the surroundings creates a breathing moment.
The characters are charming in their own disgrace, which I wouldn't consider something positive if it wasn't for the critique the book brings in itself. Xiangzi is very relatable, but at times it's quite easy to hate him for his stubborness and lack of will before others. By the end of the book is impossible not to be moved by the complicated life he led.
I'll definitely come back to him again in the future.
This book's strenght comes from the flow of the narrative. Even though Xiangzi goes through a lot in a short period of time, the writing doesn't overtake the reader, giving space for us to understand everything he's going through. Sometimes even the description of the surroundings creates a breathing moment.
The characters are charming in their own disgrace, which I wouldn't consider something positive if it wasn't for the critique the book brings in itself. Xiangzi is very relatable, but at times it's quite easy to hate him for his stubborness and lack of will before others. By the end of the book is impossible not to be moved by the complicated life he led.
I'll definitely come back to him again in the future.
2000s's review against another edition
3.25
This was okay imo, interesting plot but mostly ruined by the misogyny.
fedes_library's review against another edition
4.0
"His life might well be ruined by his own hands but he wasn't about to sacrifice anything for anybody. He who works for himself knows how to destroy himself. These are the two starting points of Individualism."
Rickshaw Boy is an engaging study of the culture of individualism that characterized Republican Chinese society, that same dog-eat-dog culture denounced by Lu Xun. For this purpose, the novel follows the harsh life of a poor rickshaw boy, whose life is characterized by a constant and precarious struggle to earn enough money to get by. Despite such clear indictment of individualism might be seen as fertile ground for supporting a Socialist revolution, it does not seem like Lao She prefers such solution. As a matter of fact, the rickshaw boy realizes that there is no point in working himself out death in his individualist and decayed society, taking the decision to spend his last days gambling, drinking, and enjoying his few hard-earned money. In contrast, the character who rebels to this society, Ruan Ming, is described as an hypocrite and dishonest revolutionary. Can this be read as a hint of Laoshe's pessimism towards Mao's ideals?
The novel is also worth reading for its vivid depiction of 1930s' Beijing, "filthy, beautiful, decadent, bustling, chaotic, idle, lovable... The only friend he had was this ancient city."
Rickshaw Boy is an engaging study of the culture of individualism that characterized Republican Chinese society, that same dog-eat-dog culture denounced by Lu Xun. For this purpose, the novel follows the harsh life of a poor rickshaw boy, whose life is characterized by a constant and precarious struggle to earn enough money to get by. Despite such clear indictment of individualism might be seen as fertile ground for supporting a Socialist revolution, it does not seem like Lao She prefers such solution. As a matter of fact, the rickshaw boy realizes that there is no point in working himself out death in his individualist and decayed society, taking the decision to spend his last days gambling, drinking, and enjoying his few hard-earned money. In contrast, the character who rebels to this society, Ruan Ming, is described as an hypocrite and dishonest revolutionary. Can this be read as a hint of Laoshe's pessimism towards Mao's ideals?
The novel is also worth reading for its vivid depiction of 1930s' Beijing, "filthy, beautiful, decadent, bustling, chaotic, idle, lovable... The only friend he had was this ancient city."
serafyne's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.0
There were parts of this novel that I found very intriguing but like the protagonist himself, i quickly went back to apathy.
It was interesting to get an insight in to the lives of rickshaw pullers, an often overlooked group of people. The way historical events play out on the edges of the main characters awareness is interesting although he himself doesn't care.
It was interesting to get an insight in to the lives of rickshaw pullers, an often overlooked group of people. The way historical events play out on the edges of the main characters awareness is interesting although he himself doesn't care.
mcdermarie's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting when considering the little I know about modern China. A piece of history.
mooncarrotpie's review
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jbdunn's review against another edition
4.0
While in Belize, I read Rickshaw Boy by Lao She, recommended by Molly Hamm for my #2014ReadingChallenge. I must preface this by saying that I only gave it 4 stars but I wish I could give it 4.8 stars and the only reason it isn't 5 is because I wanted more. I wanted a happier ending, I wanted a resolution, I wanted so much more for him. The quality of the book is superb. The hero pulls a rickshaw around Beijing and the sum total of his life's dream is to own his own rickshaw and maybe someday have a family. The book follows him as he works towards his dream and every time he comes close to achieving it, it is knocked away from him. He is continuously ALMOST happy but life keeps taking more and more away from him. I connected with his life wish to just be independent and to follow the idea that if he just works hard, he will achieve what he wants. The whole book feels like a snapshot of a life that is parallel to me, of a person that I would never have thought of their life.