Need Some Advice

[abluelady]

I'm in a book group of very conservative women who are terrified of America being "owned" by China and they as white Christian Americans becoming a minority in their own country. They asked me to find a book about China that would be discussable and educational. Any suggestions?

[madeline_con]

1. Go to amazon.com and

use a keyword search. :)

[marbuc]

2. I have a suggestion

find another book group!

[abluelady]

7. I am so completely

insulated from freepers that I rather enjoy annoying this group a little, so I don't want another group. lol

[Xipe Totec]

3. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)

Read it in High School (Translated to Spanish):

"This 1932 Pulitzer Prize winning novel is still a standout today. Deceptive in its simplicity, it is a story built around a flawed human being and a teetering socio-economic system, as well as one that is layered with profound themes. The cadence of the author's writing is also of note, as it rhythmically lends itself to the telling of the story, giving it a very distinct voice. No doubt the author's writing style was influenced by her own immersion in Chinese culture, as she grew up and lived in China, the daughter of missionaries.

This is the story of the cyclical nature of life, of the passions and desires that motivate a human being, of good and evil, and of the desire to survive and thrive against great odds. It begins with the story of an illiterate, poor, peasant farmer, Wang Lung, who ventures from the rural countryside and goes to town to the great house of Hwang to obtain a bride from those among the rank of slave. There, he is given the slave O-lan as his bride.
"

[abluelady]

11. Good Idea

I know I read it years ago and the others may have, too, but reading it now with China at the top of our minds might make it a different book for us. Thanks.

[rzemanfl]

4. Tell them to read the Bible, it must all be part of God's plan,

right? Otherwise, they can pre-order the book I'm writing "The Slanty-eyed Yellow Chinese Heathen Opium Smoker's Conspiracy to Rape Christian White Women and Steal their Money and Homes,Turn their Children into Godless Communists, While Selling Cheap Shoddy Goods and Manipulating U.S. Currency, subtitled These Guys Will Bind Your Daughter's Feet for Perverse Pleasures"

[JuniperLea]

6. Why must everything be about hate around here lately?

[Xipe Totec]

8. Most yes, but not all

I hear what you are saying, and understand. But not all are about hate. Yours was not.

The way to counter it is to post more, not less. More kindness to salve the wounds of hate.

I love your on-line name. Being from CA, you've heard of Junipero Serra?

[JuniperLea]

14. Yes, I have heard of Fr. Serra

We have a Junipero street nearby as well... and a street that bears my maiden name as well... history is cool... good or bad... good can be celebrated and bad can be a way to learn.

[rzemanfl]

12. I need to put that

:sarcasm: thingie on all my posts lately. I must be channeling Lou Dobbs when I come up with the xenophobic stuff.

[JuniperLea]

15. Cool

Thanks for the clarification.

;)

[TallahasseeGrannie]

24. I figured somebody would snark

early in the thread. Elegant.

[JuniperLea]

5. I can't think of the name, but I'm sure there are many books like it

It was a beautiful book about China and her people and culture.

I bet you can find something that will help the ladies feel some compassion for and find some common ground with the Chinese people.

I think it's very good of you to care about the ladies. There is no reason a person can't find something to respect and admire in any country of the world. Politics don't have to control every thought!

[abluelady]

9. That is Exactly What I Want

And maybe if there were more compassion, there would be more Democrats. :-)

[JuniperLea]

13. I agree completely

Compassion is something that is sorely lacking these days. I think it's all about being a liberal... you can empathize with everyone's rights and beliefs and feelings... we need to do more to bring us all together. Too much division!

[cassiepriam]

10. Tell them it is too late, China owns us lock, stock and barrel.

They might want to vote Dem next time.

PS The Good Earth is a great book.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

16. I've not read it, but "Wild Swans" was very popular a few years ago

It's a personal memoir and history of the author's mother and grandmother.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385425473
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Swans

[Sabriel]

17. It's children's literature, but...

try Red Scarf Girl (Ji-li Jiang). It's a look at the author's life as a middle schooler during the Cultural Revolution. Very unnerving. It brings to mind all the brainwashing that's going on with this mis-administration. Who knows...they might be able to draw some parallels.

[abluelady]

18. Thanks, that might work.

Perhaps reading about a child will bring some compassion to this particular group.

[CrispyQ]

19. It's not about China, but has it roots there.

Steven Mitchell's version of the Tao Te Ching is excellent! Encourage them to find the comparable lessons & wisdom from the Bible & discuss.

[Kiouni]

20. i would recommend

the world is flat by Thomas Friedman. Very eye opening approach to the modern day changes and challenges.

[abluelady]

22. I Am Just in the Beginning of that Book

And was also wondering as I am reading if it would be a good choice for this group. Didn't want to jump the gun, but glad you recommended it. Thanks.

[China_cat]

21. While mainly set in the US

I'd recommend (after The Good Earth) The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan.

[abluelady]

23. I think the "mind" setting is more important than the

geographical setting. Thanks, I will check it out.