Brothers

Yu Hua 余华 has written a memorable work Brothers 兄弟 that will captivate reader's with a taste for exotic literary experiences, but it may not meet of the liking of those offended by crude, wanton humor. A wreckless ribald tale of two step-brothers and their unique relationship, it recounts the history of nearly fifty years of changes in Chinese society from the Maoist era to the...more

Yu Hua 余华 has written a memorable work Brothers 兄弟 that will captivate reader's with a taste for exotic literary experiences, but it may not meet of the liking of those offended by crude, wanton humor. A wreckless ribald tale of two step-brothers and their unique relationship, it recounts the history of nearly fifty years of changes in Chinese society from the Maoist era to the contemporary 'get rich is glorious' ethos. The story begins with an account of how one of the brothers was nabbed for peeping at women's bottoms in a public pit toilet, just one of many memorable incidents readers will absorb in this seemingly endless narrative of improbable but imaginative adventures. It becomes a love story as the two become rivals for the same beautiful woman. Later we find one of the brothers having undergone cosmetic breast implant surgery to help peddle beauty products for breast enhancement . And toward the end of the book, we attend a beauty contest for virgins where the winner has a two year old son, but is still a virgin in spirit. The translators Eileen Cheng-yin Chow and Carlos Rojas have met many challenges in rendering the earthy colorful language of the author into readable English. A 'sweeping leg kick' may not do justice to 扫荡腿 but it is part of the immense task of word coinage that was required to bring this work to an occidental audience. The Chinese character of the work is still retained for the benefit of those readers willing to open their minds and enjoy exposure to a very different culture. I enjoyed this book, and hopefully others among my friends will too.   hide