Do Not Say We Have Nothing discussion

Finally finished! I can completely understand why there are many who loved this book and found it beautiful. The fact that I didn't connect to it (at all) may just be a reflection of myself as an anomaly. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't excited or drawn into reading it either. And I felt pressured to finish it, to get to other things, and because its due at the library today. So I want my review to reflect how I personally felt, but to also be fair to the author and the work itself.

Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thein, is a book about two families across two to three generations, that interlink at certain points farther down the line. It spans the time of the Cultural Revolution in China, and leads up to the rall(ies) in Tianneman Square in the younger generation. At the heart of the story lies the Book of Records, over 40 chapters that describe the stories on not just the family, but others that represent the hopes, dreams, and experiences of those who came from that time period. The two families protect this book, help make more copies, and search for missing chapters. Its ultimately about the differing perspectives and who had courage to stand and fight, versus who chose their families and their safety during those times. Its an incredibly complex choice, but regardless of the choice, each of the characters have had to live with the consequences of the decisions they had made. Ultimately, its about parents and children, as well as political oppression and revolution.

Another major theme of the tale, is the music. As one of my Goodreads friends has pointed out, one could literally listen to the music accompanying the reading of the book for an enhancement. But you can hear the music all the way through - and in fact the music definitely emerges from the characters fullest expressions of who they are, including their political choices, be it heroism or sacrifice. The music is the other theme in the book that accompanies the Book of Records. Its the Record of the Book. Again, I can see why others found this a beautiful read.

One quote: "It is foolhardy to think that a story ends. There are as many possible endings as beginnings."

With this final book, I am completely done with the High Notes challenge, as I am with every single challenge I have set forth this year. Woo Hoo! And thank you to PBT for making it possible for me to read so many delightful fabulous books this year.

Slated for November: Autumn, Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookshop, Their Eyes Were watching God, and four more titles, including the Hate U Give.