Becoming Madame Mao

Becoming Madame Mao by Anchee Min is the story of one of the key hands in the Chinese Revolution. She began as a rejected daughter of a concubine and eventually moved in with her grandparents. After her grandfather introduced her to opera she became enthralled with the stage. She went on to change her name to Lan Ping and worked as an actress beginning in smaller roles and working her way up. I feel like Lan Ping is uncomfortable with herself and has to resort to playing a part to make up for what she feels she lacks. She turns to men and relationships to feel like she matters, and she denies anything that makes her look bad. Several themes that have arisen so far are the importance of respect within a relationship and the benefit of perserverance. Although Lan Ping may not go about situations in the appropriate manner, she works at it until she completes her goal. So far I like the book; however, it is getting a little slow.