Open my old photo album: My Grandpa Mao Zedong, who is in my heart: My Grandpa Mao Zedong, who is in my heart

Author: Kong Dongmei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: Family memory, photographic memory, are the inevitable products of young people's journey toward cultural consciousness and the subsequent emergence of a sense of root-seeking. Opening My Family's Old Photo Album—My Grandpa Mao Zedong in My Heart showcases its appearance in 21st-century China. The author elaborates on her understanding of figures like Mao Zedong, who left a profound impact on Chinese history, which is bound to attract significant reader attention. As the granddaughter of Mao Zedong and He Zizhen, the author narrates stories about women, marriage, and family from dual perspectives—those of a descendant of a great leader and a contemporary woman. Among the numerous publications commemorating the 110th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth, this book stands out for its unique features and significance.
"Old photographs" have been a publishing trend in China in recent years, but books that focus solely on family history and feature historical giants or celebrities are still rare. Family memory and photographic memory are the inevitable outcomes of young people's journey toward cultural consciousness and the subsequent development of a sense of root-seeking. Opening My Family's Old Photo Album—My Grandpa Mao Zedong in My Heart demonstrates this phenomenon in 21st-century China. The author delves into her understanding of figures like Mao Zedong, who left an indelible mark on Chinese history, which is sure to captivate readers. Through the lens of being both the granddaughter of Mao Zedong and He Zizhen and a contemporary woman, the author weaves together narratives about women, marriage, and family. Among the many publications commemorating the 110th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth, this book undoubtedly stands out for its distinctive features and weight.
"Old photographs" have been a publishing trend in China in recent years, but books that focus solely on family history and feature historical giants or celebrities are still rare. The book includes precious old photographs, long cherished and never before published by the author and her family. More importantly, the author shares the extraordinary stories behind these photographs with a humble and sincere voice. Compared to other books on revolutionary history, this one has a strong sense of contemporary relevance. Through comparisons between her grandmother He Zizhen, her mother Li Min, and her own experience of studying abroad, as well as her analysis of her grandmother's married life, the author—a person with both Chinese and Western higher education backgrounds—makes encouraging attempts to approach the subject with a cultural and rational perspective.