Michael Meyer (7) (1972–)

Lacking Cohesion But Pleasant

"In Manchuria" did not live up to my expectations. It's subtitle, "A Village Called Wasteland and the Transformation of Rural China," implies that there will be an intense discussion of a village undergoing modernization. Unfortunately, that discussion is only left to the words and experiences of two of the author's in-laws. Besides their experiences, we learn nothing of the village, despite the lovely and detailed map at the beginning of the book.

As the two in-laws discuss their village, we learn only that it used to be comprised of thatched huts before Eastern Fortune Rice arrived and started buying land. I would have enjoyed reading the stories of people who sold their land to the company or perhaps why certain people besides his in-laws held out. As it is, there isn't even an interview with someone from the company to learn about their plans or their motives.

"In Manchuria" is sometimes a travelogue, sometimes a history book, sometimes a memoir, and sometimes a comedy. Mostly it is a pleasant rant. It's as if the author, Michael Meyer, set out to write book before the material or the idea was fully cooked. Based in Wasteland, Meyer travels through the northeast, describing various historical facets and often criticizing the Chinese people whom he meets along the way because they do not have his background in history. There scant descriptions of The Great Leap Forward and its' resulting famine, but lengthy descriptions of the Willow Palisade and the bombing of a bridge by Americans during the Korean War.

The book includes endnotes, though they are not referenced in the actual book, making it frustrating for students of China to look up more information from the quotes or histories the author writes about.

On the plus side, the author has a good command of prose, even if there is little cohesiveness throughout the book. Because of this, I would like to read something from Meyer that focuses on a specific topic, such as the village itself or a defined chapter in Manchuria's history.… (mer)

Modern China From A Different Perspective Meyer’s book is a fascinating read for anyone interested in China. While most books concentrate on the large urban areas and their fast paced, congested pace of life, Meyer takes a different approach. He moves to the small village where his wife grew up in Northeastern China, and spends three years roaming around the area. Meyer interviews locals, learning their way of life and the historical events they have witnessed.Meyer is very talented in his ability to present this history in a relatable, interesting manner. He also shows how the rural areas of China are experiencing change, in that large agricultural companies are taking over the small family farms.I would highly recommend this book to people interested in China and how it is changing. … (mer)