White Horse

White Horse

Yan Ge2014
“Vivid,—White Horse—mesmerizes from page one as events unfold through the unassuming lenses of a child’s mind. In recounting how young n n is trying to make sense of real life experiences in an adult world, Author Yan Ge weaves a fascinating tale of receptive hearts, rebellious spirits and hidden secrets infused with cultural values in this small Chinese community.” Lema Abeng-Nsah, Publisher and Editorial Director of—Dunia Magazine—Young, innocent n n lives with her widower father in a small town in West China but spends half of her time at her cousin Zhang Qing's house, where they play and hide from the adults. However, n n's world starts to shatter when Quing enters middle school and turns into a rebellious teenager. As all things collide and family secrets begin to unravel, n n is quietly forced into growing up herself. A powerful coming-of-age tale with piercing insights into contemporary Chinese culture, acclaimed novelist Yan Ge's—White Horse—is both a touching and thought-provoking story. REVIEWS:Yan Ge is a master of extreme realism. This is something already recognised in her native country - China - where she has won the Chinese Literature Media Prize. Nicky Harman’s translation has opened up the text for an English speaking audience. Overall White Horse is a typical example of a bildungsroman. It follows n n, via her childish voice, through a quagmire of growing pains. On another level the book is also interesting as a cultural document. For such a short book, Ge certainly manages to take on a wide range of themes. She looks at death, lack of identity, young lesbian experiences, mental illness and social welfare. The novella is a good read as a social study as much as it is a story. (CADAVERINE Magazine)
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Photo of Irene Alegre
Irene Alegre@irenealegre
3 stars
Aug 15, 2022