A Hundred Flowers by Gail Tsukiyama

 The Hundred Flowers Campaign, also termed the Hundred Flowers Movement, a period which begun in May 1956 in the People’s Republic of China during which the Communist Party of China encouraged its citizens to express openly their opinions of the communist regime. It was to lift the restrictions imposed upon Chinese intellectuals and thus grant greater freedom of thought of speech.

This story begins in 1957 with Sheng’s family. Sheng, a headstrong teacher, is suspicious of such campaign as many other intellectuals fearing that it is a trap. He makes a promise to his family to keep his opinions to himself, thus keeping his family safe. But with his strong character, he does write a letter criticizing the Communist Party and as a result he is sent to a labor camp to be ‘reeducated.’

His wife, Kai Ying, returns full-time to her work as an herbalist to support the family.

His seven-year old son, Tao, everyday awaits a return of his father. One day, he climbs a tree in hope of spotting his father, arriving back home, instead he falls down and injures his leg. Back home from hospital, he recuperates with a big cast twice the size of his leg. He needs to stay as immobile as possible. Thus his grandpa, Wei, a retired scholar, entertains him with stories about China’s art and history. He has hidden some of his books filled with different ideas and truths, which the Party disapproves. He promises to pass those books to his grandson when he’s older.

One day, a fifteen-year old girl knocks on Kai Ying’s door. Suyin is pregnant. Kai Ying delivers the baby and lets the girl and the baby stay at their house.

Wei is having a hard time adjusting to the strangers. “She had simply wandered in off the street and into their lives.”

It takes Tao some time to warm up to a new person in the house as well. But later he appreciates her keeping things simple and to the point. He doesn’t like people making a fuss.

While Kai Ying teaches Suyin the use of plants intended for medicinal purposes, there is some food disappearing.

This author has a talent for creating short, simple novels yet very profound; giving a reader enough background to understand the history, but not much to overwhelm the story. Through characters, who as humans make mistakes, the moral of the story comes out clearly and deeply touching.

Also by this author, highly recommend The Samurai’s Garden.

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