Title: River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze
Author: Peter Hessler
First published January 1, 2001
432 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060855024 (ISBN10: 0060855029)
Rating: 4.25
Overview
Nestled in the serene hills of the Yangtze River valley, lies the small city of Fuling in China’s Sichuan province. For years, Fuling has been untouched by the rapid changes happening in the rest of the country.
But now, the winds of change are blowing through this idyllic town, bringing with it disruption, growth, and tension. Peter Hessler, a Peace Corps volunteer, arrived in Fuling in 1996, becoming the city’s first American resident in over half a century.
As he taught English and American literature, he discovered the complexities of teaching in a society raised on Communist Party doctrine. His students, however, taught him more about the ways of Fuling, and the intricate process of understanding a radically different society.
Join Peter Hessler on his remarkable journey as he adapts to the ways of Fuling and discovers how the people of Fuling are opening up to a world of uncertainty.
About the Author
Peter Hessler writes for The New Yorker and National Geographic. He used to be a correspondent in Beijing for The New Yorker from 2000-2007.
He has written two books, River Town and Oracle Bones. River Town won the Kiriyama Book Prize and Oracle Bones was a finalist for the National Book Award.
He won the 2008 National Magazine Award for his reporting.
Editoral Review
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze is a memoir by writer and journalist Peter Hessler, first published in 2001. Hessler’s work has been praised for its insightful observations about contemporary China, where he spent over a decade as a journalist, writer, and teacher.
In River Town, Hessler recounts his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fuling, a small city on the Yangtze River, from 1996 to 1998. The book is a fascinating and immersive look at life in a remote Chinese town during a time of great social and economic change.
Hessler beautifully blends personal anecdotes, historical and cultural context, and candid interviews with locals to provide an intimate and informative portrait of life in China. Throughout the book, Hessler explores themes of identity, culture shock, isolation, and the yearning for connection.
He introduces us to a colorful cast of characters, including his fellow teachers, local officials, street vendors, and curious locals who become his friends. His vivid descriptions of the town’s markets, temples, and landscapes provide a vivid backdrop for his observations about Chinese culture and history.
Hessler’s writing is often humorous, poignant, and insightful. His prose is elegant and descriptive, with a keen attention to detail.
He has a remarkable ability to capture the essence of a person, place, or moment in just a few well-chosen words. One of the book’s strengths is how it situates Fuling within the broader historical and cultural context of China.
Hessler draws on the history of the Yangtze River, the region’s food, religion, and ethnicity to provide an illuminating portrait of this remote town. He also touches on the political and social upheavals affecting China during his time there.
However, one of the book’s weaknesses is its pacing. At times, the narrative can feel meandering and unfocused.
Some readers may also find the author’s personal reflections to be overly self-indulgent. Overall, River Town is a rich and engaging memoir that offers a unique perspective on China’s social, cultural, and economic transformation in the late 1990s.
It is an insightful and honest account of one man’s experience in a complex and fascinating country. For readers who are interested in China or memoirs, River Town is an insightful and deeply engaging read.
Its blend of personal storytelling, cultural commentary, and historical and political context make it a compelling and informative glimpse into a world that few Westerners have ever seen. Rating: 4/5 stars.
