Becoming Madame Mao-Kathleen

At about half way through the book, Lan Ping has experienced a lot as a character. She has played the role of many different figures and has learned to conform to fit her surroundings. Her position as Mao's lover is a role of deception and persuasion. She learns to contort her past in order to be accepted by Mao's followers. She has to deny her conscious in order to allow herself to push aside Mao's current wife. There is a common theme of deception in that Lan Ping is constantly changing who she is in order to be accepted. So far I have enjoyed the book; however, I am frustrated with the character of Lan Ping. Her constant desire to fit into her surroundings makes her a transparent character, and I have a difficult time connecting with her.