InconvenientMemoriesisarareandtruthfulmemoirofayoungwoman'scomingofageamidtheTiananmenSquareProtestsof1989.In1989,AnnaWangwasoneofaluckyfewwhoworkedforaJapanesecompany,Canon.Shetraveledeachdaybetweenhergrandmother'sdilapidatedcommune-styleapartmentandanextravagantofficejuststepsfromTiananmenSquare.HerdailycommuteonBeijing'simpossiblycrowdedbusesbroughtintoviewthefullspectrumofChina'seconomicandsocialinequalitiesduringtheeconomictransition.WhenTiananmenProtestsbrokeout,herJapanesebosswasconcernedwhethertheprotestswouldobstructCanon'sassemblyplantinChina,andshewassenttoTiananmenSquareonadailybasistotakephotosforherbosstoanalyzeforevidenceofturningtides.Fromtheperspectiveasamemberoftheemergingmiddleclass,sheobservedfirsthandthatTiananmenProtestsstemmedfromChinesepeople'slongingforpoliticalfreedomandtheirfearforthenascentmarketeconomy,anobservationthatreadershavenevercomeacrossfromthevariousaccountsofthehistoricaleventssofar.Inconvenient Memories is a rare and truthful memoir of a young woman's coming of age amid the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989. In 1989, Anna Wang was one of a lucky few who worked for a Japanese company, Canon. She traveled each day between her grandmother's dilapidated commune-style apartment and an extravagant office just steps from Tiananmen Square. Her daily commute on Beijing's impossibly crowded buses brought into view the full spectrum of China's economic and social inequalities during the economic transition. When Tiananmen Protests broke out, her Japanese boss was concerned whether the protests would obstruct Canon's assembly plant in China, and she was sent to Tiananmen Square on a daily basis to take photos for her boss to analyze for evidence of turning tides. From the perspective as a member of the emerging middle class, she observed firsthand that Tiananmen Protests stemmed from Chinese people's longing for political freedom and their fear for the nascent market economy, an observation that readers have never come across from the various accounts of the historical events so far.Inconvenient Memories is a rare and truthful memoir of a young woman's coming of age amid the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989. In 1989, Anna Wang was one of a lucky few who worked for a Japanese company, Canon. She traveled each day between her grandmother's dilapidated commune-style apartment and an extravagant office just steps from Tiananmen Square. Her daily commute on Beijing's impossibly crowded buses brought into view the full spectrum of China's economic and social inequalities during the economic transition. When Tiananmen Protests broke out, her Japanese boss was concerned whether the protests would obstruct Canon's assembly plant in China, and she was sent to Tiananmen Square on a daily basis to take photos for her boss to analyze for evidence of turning tides. From the perspective as a member of the emerging middle class, she observed firsthand that Tiananmen Protests stemmed from Chinese people's longing for political freedom and their fear for the nascent market economy, an observation that readers have never come across from the various accounts of the historical events so far My Review:
Inconvenient Memories: A Personal Account of the Tiananmen Square Incident and the China Before and After is an intriguing read. I have heard very little about the Tiananmen Square Incident over the years, so it was fascinating to read about through first hand accounts of what really happened. I enjoyed learning about the author’s life before and after the events. She is one brave woman and I admire her courage.
I am giving Inconvenient Memories four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading about recent historical events.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
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