Author: Yan Lianke
December 2005
Realistic Fiction
China
Summary: Dream of Ding Village follows the habitants of a village in China as they battle through the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1970s. The Chinese government is no help when middle men decide to exploit the dying by selling their coffins. Thousands are dying due to the unregulated blood-selling practices of the 60s. The book outlines love, loss, hatred, forgiveness, and corruption. |
The book indicates that families in China are built from traditional gender roles where women are caretakers and men are providers. It also suggests that honor is a large part of Chinese culture, and maintaining it is important through life and death. Economic status is important, but not as much as the respect one gains from helping others. Also, this book shows how the Chinese government is powerful beyond words and can get away with corruption, even when people know about it.