Xiaorong Shao's memoir, The Broken Cart, tells a compelling story of a girl growing up in rural China during the Cultural Revolution and the changes that followed. In vivid and stark language Shao describes her experiences during these tumultuous years. Her memory is sharp; she enacts her childhood experiences in unforgettable detail, such as the story of the broken cart that provides the title for this book and of the time she and her family were forced to live in a cave. For readers who want to learn about China at this time, Shao's memoir also provides a rich and interesting contextual history. She has not only channeled into her own past, she has also undertaken extensive research to enliven her history with scene-setting vividness, and included photographs to that end. The Broken Cart is a story of growing up-but about much more. Through the power of stories like The Broken Cart readers learn about the wider forces that shape who we are. -Dr. Jeanne Dubino, Professor of English and Global Studies. Xiaorong Shao's memoir, The Broken Cart, tells a fascinating and powerful story about being raised in modern China during the Cultural Revolution and her struggle to come to America. Shao's personal memoir is a contemporary addition to the history of modern China. -Elizabeth Williams, History Librarian.
