Winner of the 2021 Michael Crouch Award, debut category of the National Biography Award: From famine to freedom, how a young boy fled Chairman Mao’s China to a new life in Australia
Andrew Kwong was only seven when he witnessed his first execution. The grim scene left him sleepless, anxious and doubtful about his commitment as a revolutionary in Mao’s New China. Yet he knew if he devoted himself to the Party and its Chairman he would be saved. That’s what his teacher told him.
Months later, it was his own father on trial. This time the sentence was banishment to a re-education camp, not death. It left the family tainted, despised, and with few means of survival during the terrible years of persecution and famine known as the Great Leap Forward. Even after his father returned, things remained desperate. Escape seemed the only solution, and it would be twelve-year-old Andrew who undertook the perilous journey first.
This is the poignant, resonant story of a young boy’s awakening – to survival, education, fulfilment, and eventually to a new life of freedom.
‘A touching story about growing up in China during the difficult times when Mao was the leader. The author migrates to Australia and becomes a doctor’ – Amazon review
‘Deeply moving story of triumph over adversity from rural China (PRC) to Hong Kong then Australia with part of the family heading to Washington DC after many years of waiting and wanting. Hard working people trying to get away from oppression and starvation in Mao’s China with political slogans being broadcast over loud speakers to entice conformity. A UNSW Alumni and now General Practitioner on the central coast of NSW, who could not get Australia to support bringing his mother here because of Australia’s subtle extension of the White Australia Policy. Well done great read 41/2+ stars.’ – Amazon revew
Year: 1987
Softcover
Condition: Fab 2nd hand condition. Lightly used.
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