I found a well-worn copy of your book at a library book sale and just finished reading “Sounds of the River” – I now consider it one of my favorite biographies! It is engaging, bittersweet and heart-warming – I can’t wait to read more of your books. Thank you for your writings.
Hey
I bought your book Sounds of the River for $3 at a second hand book store. I hadn’t heard of it before, had the spare change, and was drawn to the photo on the cover. I’ve just finished reading it, and just want to say thank you. I hope I can one day recognise the virtues that made you successful, in myself. I really want to leave my city, and your book may have pushed me there.
thanks again
Hello Mr.Chen, I just finished reading ” Colors of The Mountain.” And I can’t even begin to tell you how much i enjoyed the book. The relation ship that you created with your friends was really heart warming, reminds me that no matter how far I’ve come and how far I’ve traveled, I have people thinking of me that care and love me no matter what. Which leads me to something i asked myself when i finished your book. Have you tried to or had any contact at all with your child hood buddies?
Much love sir, and I look forward to reading the rest of your books.
I just finished Reading “Sounds of the River” as a requirement for the entering freshmen class at Oklahoma City University. I just wanted to say that this didn’t feel at all like an assignment. Your book is so vibrant and your story was portrayed in such a story book manner but conveying so much more. I thouroughly enjoyed your memoir! It was certainly one of the best books I have ever read. I look forward to meeting you at OCU this August during Orientation Week!
Thank You for the great inspiration and the great memoirs!
Okay, Da Chen, I did it–I sent away for “Sounds of the River,” couldn’t wait any longer. I received it in the mail 2 days ago and couldn’t put it down, finished it last night! It’s just as good as “Colors.” I would love to hear about what happened to you when you arrived in America and how you ended up attending Columbia Law School, etc. Please don’t stop with China! You are such a good writer and–even though you may not think so–you’ve led a very interesting life. Best of luck to you!
I have been an avid reader for 45 years and have always been attracted to non-fiction, particularly biographies and autobiographies. I had never even heard of you until I was down at my local rescue mission doing my weekly volunteer work and wandered into the library/study room which has one wall completely covered with books. As soon as I had some free time I went back in there and browsed through them, eventually coming across “Colors of the Mountain.” I thumbed through it and liked what I saw–at the same time wondering how in the world a book such as this had eluded me for the last 5 years. I was not allowed to take anything from the mission so I memorized the title/author and went to the library to order a copy on inter-library loan. As soon as it arrived I read it from cover to cover. The other day I was in a used bookstore, found a copy and purchased it (I always buy 2nd hand books, I NEVER buy new no matter how desperate I get). I had already read “Red Scarf Girl” by Ji-Li Jiang and “Life and Death in Shanghai” by Nien Cheng (didn’t really care for “Wild Swans”) and for reasons I can’t explain I am fascinated with the stories about living through the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s-70s when told by those who lived through it. My heart just ached for all those who were stuck in China, couldn’t get out, were treated horribly by the government because of their education or background, seeing no decent future ahead of them, just misery and sadness–and it was through no fault of their own, they were just victims of the whims of Chairman Mao. My mind still has a hard time comprehending living in such a place under such a system; it’s very difficult to imagine. Hate to say it, but there’s a special place in Hell for Chairman Mao and all his cronies. Yet you survived and thrived and beat the odds. It’s not a coincidence! Your family never gave up on you and you came in contact with the elderly woman who taught you English and opened doors for you. Your brilliant mind did the rest. Da Chen, you are my hero! Whenever life gets me down and things aren’t going my way, I continue to remind myself that I just have to keep trying and never give up. I just love your book, it gives me so much hope. I do plan on ordering “Sounds of the River,” (haven’t read it yet, think I’ll ask the library). I’ll have to go on Amazon.com as I cannot find a copy here. I recently discovered the fact that you visited the N.C. State campus here in Raleigh in 2007 (I think). I didn’t know about you yet and regret it, as I would have gone to see you. Hopefully, someday, I will have the opportunity to shake hands with you and thank you for sharing your life with me (and others). I am looking forward to reading about your university years in Bejing but why do I get the strange feeling that things don’t get easier for you there? However, once again, I’m sure you fight and survive. I believe that everything that happens to us is for a reason, although we may not always discover that reason in this lifetime. Everything that happened to you during those miserable years in China led you to where you are now and the person you became. THANK YOU for writing about your life, it reminds me a lot of “Angela’s Ashes,” and “‘Tis” by Frank McCourt–also great autobiographies. Isn’t it interesting how telling complete strangers about your life can inspire so many people–even if your life was made up of sad, miserable incidents. I never get tired of reading how other people overcame insurmountable odds and came out on top. You’re one of them–THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSPIRATION!
Dear Da Chen,
i have read chinas son
and it is an awesome book^^
You are an inspiration to me
You overcame so much and you were so motivated with your schoolwork ,i want to be like you in that way
thankyou
Слушайте, а вы отнюдьне видели теперь моего настроения, же то мы его из утра потеряла только встречать по сих пор не могу?…
by insennaannows July 14th, 2009 at 11:07 pmI found a well-worn copy of your book at a library book sale and just finished reading “Sounds of the River” – I now consider it one of my favorite biographies! It is engaging, bittersweet and heart-warming – I can’t wait to read more of your books. Thank you for your writings.
by April McKenzie June 27th, 2009 at 12:10 pmHey
by Ben Claessens June 27th, 2009 at 8:36 amI bought your book Sounds of the River for $3 at a second hand book store. I hadn’t heard of it before, had the spare change, and was drawn to the photo on the cover. I’ve just finished reading it, and just want to say thank you. I hope I can one day recognise the virtues that made you successful, in myself. I really want to leave my city, and your book may have pushed me there.
thanks again
Hello Mr.Chen, I just finished reading ” Colors of The Mountain.” And I can’t even begin to tell you how much i enjoyed the book. The relation ship that you created with your friends was really heart warming, reminds me that no matter how far I’ve come and how far I’ve traveled, I have people thinking of me that care and love me no matter what. Which leads me to something i asked myself when i finished your book. Have you tried to or had any contact at all with your child hood buddies?
by rawr June 21st, 2009 at 2:47 amMuch love sir, and I look forward to reading the rest of your books.
Da Chen,
I just finished Reading “Sounds of the River” as a requirement for the entering freshmen class at Oklahoma City University. I just wanted to say that this didn’t feel at all like an assignment. Your book is so vibrant and your story was portrayed in such a story book manner but conveying so much more. I thouroughly enjoyed your memoir! It was certainly one of the best books I have ever read. I look forward to meeting you at OCU this August during Orientation Week!
Thank You for the great inspiration and the great memoirs!
Chester Hendershot
by Chester Hendershot June 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pmOkay, Da Chen, I did it–I sent away for “Sounds of the River,” couldn’t wait any longer. I received it in the mail 2 days ago and couldn’t put it down, finished it last night! It’s just as good as “Colors.” I would love to hear about what happened to you when you arrived in America and how you ended up attending Columbia Law School, etc. Please don’t stop with China! You are such a good writer and–even though you may not think so–you’ve led a very interesting life. Best of luck to you!
by Wendy June 10th, 2009 at 9:19 pmHi Da Chen,
by Brandon (Singapore) June 6th, 2009 at 10:30 ami read ur book, sounds of memoir.
Its one of the best book ive ever read.
Good book!
anyway, is the story true?
I have been an avid reader for 45 years and have always been attracted to non-fiction, particularly biographies and autobiographies. I had never even heard of you until I was down at my local rescue mission doing my weekly volunteer work and wandered into the library/study room which has one wall completely covered with books. As soon as I had some free time I went back in there and browsed through them, eventually coming across “Colors of the Mountain.” I thumbed through it and liked what I saw–at the same time wondering how in the world a book such as this had eluded me for the last 5 years. I was not allowed to take anything from the mission so I memorized the title/author and went to the library to order a copy on inter-library loan. As soon as it arrived I read it from cover to cover. The other day I was in a used bookstore, found a copy and purchased it (I always buy 2nd hand books, I NEVER buy new no matter how desperate I get). I had already read “Red Scarf Girl” by Ji-Li Jiang and “Life and Death in Shanghai” by Nien Cheng (didn’t really care for “Wild Swans”) and for reasons I can’t explain I am fascinated with the stories about living through the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s-70s when told by those who lived through it. My heart just ached for all those who were stuck in China, couldn’t get out, were treated horribly by the government because of their education or background, seeing no decent future ahead of them, just misery and sadness–and it was through no fault of their own, they were just victims of the whims of Chairman Mao. My mind still has a hard time comprehending living in such a place under such a system; it’s very difficult to imagine. Hate to say it, but there’s a special place in Hell for Chairman Mao and all his cronies. Yet you survived and thrived and beat the odds. It’s not a coincidence! Your family never gave up on you and you came in contact with the elderly woman who taught you English and opened doors for you. Your brilliant mind did the rest. Da Chen, you are my hero! Whenever life gets me down and things aren’t going my way, I continue to remind myself that I just have to keep trying and never give up. I just love your book, it gives me so much hope. I do plan on ordering “Sounds of the River,” (haven’t read it yet, think I’ll ask the library). I’ll have to go on Amazon.com as I cannot find a copy here. I recently discovered the fact that you visited the N.C. State campus here in Raleigh in 2007 (I think). I didn’t know about you yet and regret it, as I would have gone to see you. Hopefully, someday, I will have the opportunity to shake hands with you and thank you for sharing your life with me (and others). I am looking forward to reading about your university years in Bejing but why do I get the strange feeling that things don’t get easier for you there? However, once again, I’m sure you fight and survive. I believe that everything that happens to us is for a reason, although we may not always discover that reason in this lifetime. Everything that happened to you during those miserable years in China led you to where you are now and the person you became. THANK YOU for writing about your life, it reminds me a lot of “Angela’s Ashes,” and “‘Tis” by Frank McCourt–also great autobiographies. Isn’t it interesting how telling complete strangers about your life can inspire so many people–even if your life was made up of sad, miserable incidents. I never get tired of reading how other people overcame insurmountable odds and came out on top. You’re one of them–THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSPIRATION!
by Wendy June 1st, 2009 at 1:43 pmDear Da Chen,
by Stef May 31st, 2009 at 11:42 pmi have read chinas son
and it is an awesome book^^
You are an inspiration to me
You overcame so much and you were so motivated with your schoolwork ,i want to be like you in that way
thankyou
Dear Mr. Chen,
Your books are great! Also I have a book report book due tomorrow and I am using China’s Son as my book. Your life was hard back then wasn’t it.
by Jarrod April 29th, 2009 at 10:18 pm