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A review by joseph7m
Rickshaw Boy by Lao She
3.0
Rickshaw Boy is both a social commentary and a political commentary, speaking about the state of life in the 1920s Warlord Era in China, and the downfalls of an individualistic society. We see Xiangzi, a very hardworking man trying to make his way up in the world with the continuous belief that if he tries his best, he will be rewarded. This, however, does not happen and instead we see his gradual descent as he slowly gives up on his dreams and wishes, battered and beat by the cruel society he lives in.
While the modern day world is certainly better off than we were in the 1920s, it's interesting to see the same exact storyline play out in today's world, particularly in the US. Many people are just one misfortune away from ending up on a similar path as Xiangzi. So, in that sense, his criticism very much still holds water today.
Beyond his commentary, the writing and tone of the book paints a very clear picture of life among the ordinary class in the China at that time and the simple yet often poetic prose was something I enjoyed a lot.
Overall, it's worth checking out this classic of modern Chinese literature.
While the modern day world is certainly better off than we were in the 1920s, it's interesting to see the same exact storyline play out in today's world, particularly in the US. Many people are just one misfortune away from ending up on a similar path as Xiangzi. So, in that sense, his criticism very much still holds water today.
Beyond his commentary, the writing and tone of the book paints a very clear picture of life among the ordinary class in the China at that time and the simple yet often poetic prose was something I enjoyed a lot.
Overall, it's worth checking out this classic of modern Chinese literature.