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Becoming Madame Mao
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Plot Summary of Becoming Madame Mao
"Becoming Madame Mao recounts the experiences of a Chinese opera singer who sought to have great influence, and eventually rose to power in the ruling Communist government. This is a valuable behind-the-scenes look at the workings of the Communist party during the age of the Cultural Revolution. Madame Mao used her influence as the spouse of Chairman Mao to take care of business, both cultural and personal, in a ruthless and driving fashion that earned her mostly scorn throughout her native land.

Students of Chinese or political history get a rare glimpse of this female power. Most texts on the subject are detailed only on the person of Chairman Mao. Madame Mao's persistence and success provides an opportunity to study one of history's more interesting and rarely glimpsed figures.

The book is presented in both first and third person narrative. This provides interesting insights into the both the feelings of Madame Mao, as well as the perceptions of others to her actions.

Despite the rich historical background, the author still permits readers to make their own judgment on the life of Madame Mao.

"

Dennis A. Matejka, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Becoming Madame Mao
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - 1930's-1950's
Life of a profession: - dictator
Inside culture (main char) - Chinese
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Outside culture (society) - Chinese
Job/Profession/Status story Yes
Ethnic/regional/gender life Yes

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
Age: - long lived adults
Eccentric/Mental Yes
Eccentric: - obsessed
Ethnicity/Nationality - Chinese
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - Female
Age: - long-lived adults
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 2 ()
Asia/Pacific Yes
Asian country: - China

Style
Person - mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references
Unusual Style: - a lot of flashback and forwards - a lot of stream of consciousness
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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Anchee Min Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Dennis A. Matejka  

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