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Chang</a><i class="fas fa-chevron-right breadcrumb_separator"></i>Reviews</h1><h2 class="author_subtitle">Author of <a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" target="_top" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China</a></h2></div><div class="pagecard_messages"><div class="lt_scoreboard "><span class="scoreboard_item"><i class="fa-solid fa-book" aria-hidden="true" data-a11y="true"></i> 2+ Works</span><span class="scoreboard_item"><i class="fa-solid fa-user" aria-hidden="true" data-a11y="true"></i> 1,007 Members</span><span class="scoreboard_item"><i class="fa-solid fa-feather-alt" aria-hidden="true" data-a11y="true"></i> 42 Reviews</span><span class="scoreboard_item"><i class="fa-solid fa-star" aria-hidden="true" data-a11y="true"></i> 2 Favorited</span></div></div></div></section><section class="w_a_section" id="section_reviews" ><h2>Reviews</h2><a name="reviews"></a><input type="hidden" id="cache_key" value="u_ef61e34a"><div id="author_reviews"><div class="languagepick alert alert-default"><b><a href="javascript:loadReviewsIntoContainer('',0,3,5,'author_reviews',25,'','','',false,'eng', 'profile');">English</a> (40)</b>  <a href="javascript:loadReviewsIntoContainer('',0,3,5,'author_reviews',25,'','','',false,'fre', 'profile');">French</a> (1)  <a href="javascript:loadReviewsIntoContainer('',0,3,5,'author_reviews',25,'','','',false,'dut', 'profile');">Dutch</a> (1)  <a href="javascript:loadReviewsIntoContainer('',0,3,5,'author_reviews',25,'','','',false,'all', 'profile');">All languages</a> (42)</div><div class="btn_bar extra_bottom_space_half"><div class="review_showing_pages">Showing 1-25 of 40 </div><div class="lt_pillbox small lt_small" ><a data-value="1" data-onclick="loadReviewsIntoContainer('',25,0,5,'author_reviews',25,'','','', false, null, 'profile'); return false;" role="button" class="" ><span class="ltp_txt">Next <i class="fa-solid fa-chevron-right"></i></span></a class="" ><a data-value="2" data-onclick="loadReviewsIntoContainer('',0,0,5,'author_reviews',10000,'','','', false, null, 'profile'); return false;" role="button" class="" ><span class="ltp_txt">Show All</span></a class="" ></div class="" ><div data-value="0" class="lt_pillbox view_sort_selector small lt_small" ><a data-value="0" data-onclick="loadReviewsIntoContainer('',0,3,5,'author_reviews',25,'','','',false, null, 'profile');return false;" role="button" class="selected" ><i class="fa-duotone fa-sort-down"></i><span class="ltp_txt">Date</span></a class="" ><a data-value="4" data-onclick="loadReviewsIntoContainer('',0,1,5,'author_reviews',25,'','','',false, null, 'profile');return false;" role="button" class="" ><span class="ltp_txt">Title</span></a class="" ><a data-value="5" data-onclick="loadReviewsIntoContainer('',0,2,5,'author_reviews',25,'','','',false, null, 'profile'); return false;" role="button" class="" ><span class="ltp_txt">Votes</span></a class="" ></div class="" ></div><div class="workSection brevs_container"><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_256755118" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>This is a really intimate portrait of the young women working in Chinese factories. I was mesmerized by their stories and what they have to do to get ahead.<span id="rate-u_14414b1e" title="5 Stars" aria-title="5 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="10" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="9" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_256755118" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_256755118"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_256755118" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_256755118" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_256755118" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_256755118"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/jenmslc" target="_top">jenmslc</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Jan 22, 2024 | <a href="/review/256755118"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_200970296" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Interweaving her own fascinating family history and taking the Studs Terkel approach via interviews with the woman on the street, Chang tells the uplifting stories of migrant women: teens who grow into women and build the edifices of their futures upon the staid yet also constricting traditions of the villages they come from and the freeing yet also dangerous challenges of the cities they migrate to.<span id="rate-u_85f08962" title="5 Stars" aria-title="5 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="10" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="9" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_200970296" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_200970296"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_200970296" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_200970296" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_200970296" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_200970296"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/quantum.alex" target="_top">quantum.alex</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Nov 18, 2023 | <a href="/review/200970296"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_239359578" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>I really enjoyed this book. The stories of the young migrant women were fascinating. Strangely, you don't get much exposure in popualr media to their lives despite the hubbub of the last few decades of China's economic rise. The book goes to some brief lulls during Chang's interludes of her own family history but I gradually grew to appreciate it. The book was published around the mid 2000s and gave the impression of a rapidly changing China indeed. Off to Peter Hessler next!<span id="rate-u_0871973b" title="5 Stars" aria-title="5 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="10" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="9" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_239359578" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_239359578"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_239359578" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_239359578" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_239359578" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_239359578"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/Harris023" target="_top">Harris023</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Apr 23, 2023 | <a href="/review/239359578"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_75080398" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Having read and loved all the Hessler books on China, I thought I would give this one (by his wife) a try. It is an excellent portrait of the factory cities of eastern China and the migrant villagers who work there. Interspersed is the story of Chang's own ancestors who left China decades ago. Some of the other reviews mentioned that the village girl stories jumped around too much to follow and the narrative is a bit fragmented in that regard, but never enough to interfere with the compelling story. Insightful.<span id="rate-u_d5f49c56" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_75080398" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_75080398"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_75080398" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_75080398" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_75080398" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_75080398"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/PattyLee" target="_top">PattyLee</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Dec 14, 2021 | <a href="/review/75080398"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_201772470" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>This was an interesting look into how China has modernized since the Cultural Revolution. I enjoyed learning about the different young women featured here, even when it was difficult to follow who was who while listening to the audio (as a non-native speaker). I also appreciated Chang's research into her own family history, though I felt it was almost an entirely separate story and could have been made into its own book. To be fair, Chang did tie it in to the plight of the eponymous "factory girls" not long after going off on that tangent, but as such, I found it hard to maintain interest at times, wondering where exactly the exposé was going.<span id="rate-u_5bb76f8f" title="3 Stars" aria-title="3 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="6" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="5" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_201772470" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_201772470"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_201772470" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_201772470" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_201772470" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_201772470"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/LibroLindsay" target="_top">LibroLindsay</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Jun 18, 2021 | <a href="/review/201772470"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_194038809" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>It gripped me very early on and I found portions of the book interesting but sadly the story of people working in factories in China quickly takes a back seat to author's family history and personal opinions. Wish it was two separate books.<br><br>The writing itself is rather poor, the themes change suddenly and repeat. The author's choice to concentrate on the very few girls she took a liking to paints a skewed picture of the life of the average worker.<br><br>More biography than journalism.<span id="rate-u_a4b7c5ee" title="3 Stars" aria-title="3 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="6" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="5" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_194038809" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_194038809"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_194038809" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_194038809" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_194038809" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_194038809"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/Paul_S" target="_top">Paul_S</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Dec 23, 2020 | <a href="/review/194038809"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_187747114" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Great Writing, Great Stories, A Little Disjointed<br><br> "Factory Girls" follows several young women as they move from rural Chinese villages to an enormous, booming factory metropolis. Within these stories, the author discusses her own family's history of fleeing China as the communists took over.<br><br>The world of the young women is decidedly capitalist. When they are employed, they follow the strict orders of whatever company they are working for, living in dorms within a factory compound, eating at the canteen, and working terribly long hours at terrible jobs. Like a good journalist, the author does not make judgments about these working conditions.<br><br>The author connects with many factory workers, despite the book jacket saying she follows "two young women." Their stories eventually blend together, which really creates the narrative. The young women "were surrounded by corrupt or dishonest people." They are still interested in impressing their families, finding boyfriends, wearing new clothes, and so forth. Yet, they have gone to a world wear they work in the most difficult conditions. That world, the booming factory metropolis, is very well described throughout the book. All the young women learn that they can "only rely on" themselves.<br><br>At times, the author jumps from topic to topic a little too quickly or loses the timeline. Perhaps I was missing something, but this made the book a little difficult to follow. For example, she will describe a young woman leaving a certain factory and then describe her personal life while she was working at the factory. In another example, the author described a worker quitting direct sales and then, several chapters later, described work in direct sales. It is still a book that is easy to read, despite this disjointedness.<br><br>The sources leave a lot to be desired, especially in the early chapters where the author mentions many statistics. The publisher made a mistake by not offering an index (perhaps this is a pet-peeve of mine).<br><br>Any faults in the book are more than made up for with the interesting and personal stories that have been found and reported on. The author does a wonderful job writing about the personal lives of people who have unfortunately been placed at the bottom of the labor ladder. I hope we can read more similar stories from the author in the future.<span id="rate-u_02987ec5" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_187747114" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_187747114"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_187747114" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_187747114" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_187747114" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_187747114"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/mvblair" target="_top">mvblair</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Aug 9, 2020 | <a href="/review/187747114"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_175324874" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>A real eye-opener. In order to succeed in Chinese business you must throw away any shred of integrity you possess. Lie about your age, job experience, education, and everything else in order to obtain a position you are unqualified for and fake it until you make it. Then after a couple of weeks to a couple of months of being in this job, leave it for a newer, better one. Because that amount of time makes you a certified expert in whatever field. The only traits you must possess are confidence bordering on audacity, tenacity, and the ability to manipulate other people. Other people are virtually disposable and can be thrown under the bus whenever for your own advancement.<br><br>The flip side to all of this is that basically the Chinese are living the American Dream. That is to say that anybody can become somebody. These Chinese are no longer fettered by nationalism, idealism, or filial piety. Those brave enough to "go out" to work in the factories can choose their own path, date whom they please, spend what they want, and indeed, enjoy a hitherto unprecedented level of freedom.<br><br>Those who go out become alienated from their village and family, who can no longer understand them. These worlds are socioeconomic polar opposites. Once a migrant is firmly established, he or she likely sends home much more money than his or her village family makes in a year. This is not to say that migrants go out with the purpose of helping their families paramount in their minds. It is certainly a factor, but according to Chang most migrants are out to improve their station in life. The American Dream is now the Chinese Dream. One must wonder what the future will bring. I recall either from this book or Peter Hessler's <i>River Town</i> the comment about Chinese being so harsh on America in the past and now they are going through the same things. Side note, but related in a way, China seems so very dirty by American standards. I find this to resemble the Industrial Revolution in western countries and posit that given enough time China will overcome this hurdle (though it is a big one considering the size of the population).<br><br>I'm sure all this might be common knowledge to seasoned China watchers, but I am new to the pursuit so I found this book very informative.<span id="rate-u_c00fd540" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_175324874" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_175324874"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_175324874" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_175324874" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_175324874" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_175324874"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/otaginenbutsuji" target="_top">otaginenbutsuji</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Nov 12, 2019 | <a href="/review/175324874"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_167907964" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-from-village-to-city-in-a-changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-from-village-to-city-in-a-changing-China" class="" >Factory girls : from village to city in a changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Very interesting! I learned a lot. Inevitably I find myself comparing her work to Peter Hessler's. Hers isn't as masterful, but then, he is kind of in a class of his own. This is definitely worth reading, particularly if you are wanting to learn about women's experience of factory towns in the 2000's in China. It appears that Chang also really did her research and tried really hard to be as honest as she could. In the wake of the recent Mike Daisey debacle (he performs monologues on stage about having met factory workers at the Apple Factory in China, and it recently came out that he made up a bunch of his experiences out of thin air and also stole and/or exaggerated stories from other reporters), I really appreciate all the diligence and all the research she did.<span id="rate-u_66db0f24" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_167907964" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_167907964"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_167907964" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_167907964" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_167907964" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_167907964"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/xiaomarlo" target="_top">xiaomarlo</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-from-village-to-city-in-a-changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Apr 17, 2019 | <a href="/review/167907964"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_120909558" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>First quarter of the book was interesting, but the remaining 75% was just a repetition of everything that had already been said. At one point the author inserted a long telling of her own family history which had little to do with the purpose of the book. It was like she felt the book wasn't long enough so she added filler. A big disappointment for a book that started out with promise.<span id="rate-u_953c343b" title="2 Stars" aria-title="2 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="4" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="3" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_120909558" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_120909558"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_120909558" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_120909558" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_120909558" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_120909558"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/valorrmac" target="_top">valorrmac</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | May 15, 2018 | <a href="/review/120909558"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_145754912" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>I loved this book!<span id="rate-u_b6a60517" title="5 Stars" aria-title="5 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="10" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="9" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_145754912" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_145754912"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_145754912" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_145754912" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_145754912" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_145754912"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/Jewel.Barnett" target="_top">Jewel.Barnett</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Sep 6, 2017 | <a href="/review/145754912"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_137479013" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls" class="" >Factory Girls</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Chang's research with young women in factories in 2003-2005 shows that the function of factory work and the situation of rural workers in urban factories has changed significantly from the early studies of the 90s. The "girls" today are developing independence from their rural families. Many are using their earnings to affect family decisions, sometimes over-ruling their parents. At the same time, their traditional cultural beliefs are becoming irrelevant to their current lives, and many struggle to develop a comfortable social life in the new economy. Chang's narrative style is engaging. However, although I understand why she is interested in discussing her family history, the parts about her family were almost maudlin at times. She is a reporter and her discussion of the workers lives is fast paced and unsentimental. The parts about her family history meandered of into philosophical musings that were not either original or particularly interesting.<span id="rate-u_3b051094" title="3 Stars" aria-title="3 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="6" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="5" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_137479013" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_137479013"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_137479013" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_137479013" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_137479013" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_137479013"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/kaitanya64" target="_top">kaitanya64</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Jan 3, 2017 | <a href="/review/137479013"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_125842014" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>I thought this was a very interesting look inside the women in China who are struggling to make a better life for themselves and their families. It was clear and well written, although it was hard for me to keep track of which girl was which due to my lack of knowledge of Chinese names.<span id="rate-u_6769e00c" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_125842014" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_125842014"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_125842014" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_125842014" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_125842014" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_125842014"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/Jen.ODriscoll.Lemon" target="_top">Jen.ODriscoll.Lemon</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Jan 23, 2016 | <a href="/review/125842014"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_125840911" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>I thought this was a very interesting look inside the women in China who are struggling to make a better life for themselves and their families. It was clear and well written, although it was hard for me to keep track of which girl was which due to my lack of knowledge of Chinese names.<span id="rate-u_223db99f" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_125840911" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_125840911"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_125840911" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_125840911" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_125840911" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_125840911"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/Jen.ODriscoll.Lemon" target="_top">Jen.ODriscoll.Lemon</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Jan 23, 2016 | <a href="/review/125840911"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_125136766" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Audio book read by Susan Ericksen<br>3***<br><br>Chang, a Chinese-American former correspondent for the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> in Beijing, spent several years researching this report of modern-day China, and the young women migrant workers who leave their small rural villages to go to work in the big-city factories. She focuses her story on two women in particular – Min and Chunming – expounding on the events in their lives to illustrate the plight of the hordes of workers just like them. <br><br>Personalizing the story in this way made it highly readable and interesting. As a reader, I was invested in their stories and wanted to know how things would turn out for them. I recognized their immaturity and winced at some of their rationalizations (remembering my own youthful mistakes), but also applauded their tenacity and determination. <br><br>However, Chang also uses the book to explore the history of modern-day China by giving us a history of her family. These sections, while illuminating (especially for the reader who is unfamiliar with the country’s political history), drew attention away from the central focus of the book and made me lose interest. I persevered in hopes Chang would get back to Min and Chunming, and fortunately she did. <br><br>Susan Ericksen did a fine job of the audio performance. Her pacing was good, and I believe her pronunciation was accurate (but since I don’t speak Chinese, I cannot really tell). However, readers completely unfamiliar with Chinese names may find it easier to read the text version to avoid confusion. <br><br>I read this book for my F2F book club and we had a very interesting and spirited discussion about modern-day China. However, this particular book group is made up of women business executives and 12 of the 14 of us had been to China. The usual book discussions on pacing, plot, character development, themes, etc don’t apply to a work of nonfiction such as this, so it may not be suitable for all book groups. <br><span id="rate-u_c48c38a4" title="3 Stars" aria-title="3 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="6" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="5" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_125136766" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_125136766"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_125136766" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_125136766" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_125136766" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_125136766"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/BookConcierge" target="_top">BookConcierge</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Jan 13, 2016 | <a href="/review/125136766"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_117848861" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>This book tells the story of the everyday lives of the workers in China's factories, the majority of whom are young women 18-25, who have left their rural villages in hope of a better life. The author also follows the lives of two of these young women over the course of three years of their lives.<br><br>Getting into a factory is easy, what is harder is getting out. Employers often withhold up to 2 months of pay, and if an employee wants to quit, they face losing that pay if the employer does not want to let them go. Most workers live in dormitory type rooms at the factories; one factory, which employs over 70,000 people, even has its own hospital.<br><br>But still, most of the young workers, in spite of the low pay and long hours, see work on the assembly line as way to a better life; it's still more money than they would have been able to earn staying in their villages. A lot of the young women are able to work their way to office jobs within the factories. Even after long 12 hour shifts, many will take classes after work ends for the day, including learning English, to enable them to have a better future.<br><br>The author also weaves the story of her own family history throughout the story, which provides a contrast between the values and attitudes of more traditional times, to modern times.<br><br>This was a very interesting read,and it certainly made me think more about the people who make so many of the products that are used here in the U.S. and around the world.<span id="rate-u_dd8ea177" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_117848861" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_117848861"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_117848861" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_117848861" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_117848861" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_117848861"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/mom2acat" target="_top">mom2acat</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Apr 21, 2015 | <a href="/review/117848861"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_117290558" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Right now the largest migration of people in history is going on. With the legalization of the immigration of Chinese rural peasants to the cities, thousands of women have flooded into urban areas seeking jobs in factories. The author follows several girls throughout their career, beginning with their first jobs at fifteen and ending with their burgeoning resumes at thirty. The world of the factory girl is full of lies, intrigue, and survival tactics not to mention the ever present question of where the next boyfriend is coming from. The reader will be surprised by the foreign world they are entering and yet charmed by the familiar problems of these young women. Fascinating and thorough.<span id="rate-u_b227d0cd" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_117290558" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_117290558"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_117290558" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_117290558" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_117290558" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_117290558"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/Juva" target="_top">Juva</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Mar 27, 2015 | <a href="/review/117290558"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_116594050" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Chang is a newspaper journalist, and her limitations are apparent here. The book lacks an overarching direction. She drops story threads without warning and begins others without adequate resolution and transition. I gave up in the middle of the book when she began exploring her own family's migratory history rather than the stated subject. There is some value here, but it's not exceptional.<span id="rate-u_ba6c55c3" title="2.5 Stars" aria-title="2.5 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="5" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="0" class="ratehalf selected" >½</i><i data-rating_value="8" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_116594050" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_116594050"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_116594050" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_116594050" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_116594050" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_116594050"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/2wonderY" target="_top">2wonderY</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Feb 27, 2015 | <a href="/review/116594050"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_116313100" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>This is a magnifying glass for the women (girls) who make the things we wear and use from China. The factories mentioned in this book are mostly in one place - Guangdong province. Yue Yuen in Dongguan is the biggest factory that makes running shoes. It employs 70,000 (seventy thousand) people. It takes 200 pairs of hands to make a running shoe. One third of the world's shoes are made in that province..<br><br> Most of the workers are young girls from farming villages, who have left school and their families to live in factory dormitories. At Yue Yuen the average salary for an assembly line job is 72 dollars a month. The work day is 11 hours, with 60 hours a week and Sunday off. In other less generous factories, working through the night is not unheard of. <br><br>The world of work, family, love and play of some of these girls comprise the stories in this wonderful book. The author was born in China, but raised in the United States. She was a writer for the Wall Street Journal, but had the ability and the moxie to live among the factory girls, make friends with them, visit their living spaces and their families in villages. She said that the move from farm to city by the youth of the country was the largest migration in history.<br><br>The girls change jobs rapidlly, often lying about their qualifications or experience. They take classes in behavior or Englsh, and some even use internet dating services. They acquire lovers or boy friends from villages or cities far from their own. The parents of these girls push them to contribute money to the family but by doing so the girls gain independence and ascendance over their peasant parents. <br><br>The author visited her family village in Manchuria where the temple and home were torn down. Her uncle who was murdered during the Cultural Revolution was rehabilitated. The mine where he was murdered is now named after him.<span id="rate-u_9d802bae" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_116313100" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_116313100">2</span> <img title="2 members found this review helpful" id="rvi_116313100" alt="vote" src="https://image.librarything.com/pics/voteup-y.gif"></span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_116313100" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_116313100" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_116313100" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_116313100"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/almigwin" target="_top">almigwin</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Feb 18, 2015 | <a href="/review/116313100"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_71874772" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-Voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-Voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China" class="" >Factory girls. Voices from the heart of modern China</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Factory girls. Voices from the heart of modern China is a sociological study into the lives of young female migrant workers in China. The book is interesting because so few books are written about the topic. However, the author is no sociologist and the scope of the book seems limited.<br><br>The author follows three young women during three years. There are no explanations as to how she decided on these three women, or whether other women were interviewed during the same period. The interviews themselves are not included. Still, a fairly comprehensive picture emerges.<br><br>The style of the book is that of journalism (the author is a journalist), so very readable with little attention to methodological encumbrance. A more serious problem with the book is that the author is selective in the information she presents to the effect of misleading. Regarding the salaries of the migrant workers she pipes the common Western view that the salaries are extremely low, and the workers are exploited. The author insufficiently makes clear what the meaning of poverty is, and that many Chinese people will take any opportunity to get away from the countryside to work in the city. The problem with a word such as "poverty" is that everyone thinks they know what it means while most Western people haven't seen any real poverty in their entire life.<br><br>Another flaw in the book is that the wages of the migrant workers are systematically incorrectly presented, and that deductions for food and accommodation are presented in a negative light. The reality in China is that China has a very high percentage of house ownership, and rental accommodation is very, very expensive. It is not unusual that migrant workers pay 130 US dollars for a bed per month: all the room they get for that is less than two square meters, and to prevent theft of their property, their part of the bunk bed is turned into a cage, which they can lock while they go out. Although communal kitchens in private home compounds were abolished decades ago, Chinese people are used to eating in canteens, where food is spooned out to them. These arrangements, while leaving little freedom, individuality or privacy are very common to China, where these terms have but a shade of the meaning they have in a country such as the United States.<br><br>A peculiar feature of the book is that more than 25% of it is devoted to telling the author's life story. There is absolutely no excuse for that other than amateurism and vanity.<span id="rate-u_3776ea96" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_71874772" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_71874772"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_71874772" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_71874772" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_71874772" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_71874772"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/edwinbcn" target="_top">edwinbcn</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-Voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Dec 16, 2013 | <a href="/review/71874772"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_97483348" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>I learned a lot from this book, and found it an interesting read. It’s an account of a particular segment of Chinese culture, seen through the eyes of an American. And it’s true that only a foreigner can see a country clearly, and also true that foreigners always bring their own beliefs and prejudices to the country they’re describing.<br><br>However, given that, this book gave me a real sense of what it’s like for young women in China today. Chang does a clear, thorough job of detailing the lives of women in transition, moving from the village to urban life. The women in this book are not stuck in their factories; they have a clear sense of their own destiny. She describes their friendships, their relationships to their families, their romantic struggles, their ways of living, their mobility, their dependence on cell phones, their ambitions, and their ethical beliefs. <br><br>Throughout most of the book, Chang maintains an observer stance, although she never entirely leaves herself out of the story. People’s reactions to her are revealing, too. But she also diverges from her main theme to tell the story of her own family history in China. She went back to visit her ancestral village, and to see hitherto unknown family members. I often wished this could have been a book of its own, since it didn’t always mesh with the rest of the book - although it does echo, on a larger scale, the patterns of the migrant workers who “go out” and then come home. <br><br>One thing that’s clear is that Chang’s attitude towards China changed in the writing of this book. She discovered things she didn’t expect - about herself and her own history, and about the factory girls she was studying. And I was surprised by the things she discovered as well. <br><br><span id="rate-u_9b9ebf5b" title="3 Stars" aria-title="3 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="6" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="5" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_97483348" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_97483348"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_97483348" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_97483348" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_97483348" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_97483348"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/astrologerjenny" target="_top">astrologerjenny</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Apr 24, 2013 | <a href="/review/97483348"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_95767501" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-Voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China-Young-Women-on-the-Move-in-Modern-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-Voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China-Young-Women-on-the-Move-in-Modern-China" class="" >Factory Girls: Voices from the heart of modern…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Impressive look at the unseen workers of Chinese manufacturing. Very revealing.<span id="rate-u_45ecfb93" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_95767501" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_95767501"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_95767501" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_95767501" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_95767501" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_95767501"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/HadriantheBlind" target="_top">HadriantheBlind</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-Voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China-Young-Women-on-the-Move-in-Modern-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Mar 30, 2013 | <a href="/review/95767501"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_88424173" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China" class="" >Factory girls : voices from the heart of modern China</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>"Factory girls" is a good read that doesn't truly fulfill its titular aspirations. The real factory girls are teenage migrant girls from the most underdeveloped regions of China who lack both the inclination and self-awareness to discuss their economic and life situation with an outside reporter. These are green kids who discover the world, growing up fast in an ever changing world. Compared to their parents, they grow up in a much more prosperous (consumer) environment. Compared to Western standards, their world is more like a mixture of the American Wild West and Manchester capitalism. The girls, however, are not powerless and often vote with their feet, changing employers at an alarming frequency. A constant re-invention of self (including abandoning friends and acquaintances) is the theme of their life. This re-invention is also changing the classic gender patterns. Given the increasing economic resources and the overabundance of men, these girls can choose whom to marry and where to work and live. A limited taste of freedom.<br><br>Instead of the factory girls, the author follows the lives of a few white collar women. Like in the Wild West, success seems to go to the cheaters and snake-oil sellers. It is not by hard work but by accepting bribes and kickbacks that one acquires a fortune. The right connections and the suitably forged documents are the ticket to wealth. Her description of manufacturing and business processes makes one wonder how the Chinese products hold together at all and manage to pass some quality controls. While the Japanese seem to strive for technical perfection, the Chinese aim to cut corners. <br><br>Hurt, they often are in this abrasive process. Despite their economic gains, Chang's account does not present happy people but drained women in a rat race who cannot enjoy what they have as long as an acquaintance has more. If hell is other people, China is not lacking in company. A Chinese train trip during the New Year season must indeed be painful.<br><br>A bit redundant among the tales of new China, Chang includes, over multiple chapters, the story of her rediscovering her own Chinese roots (at the other end of China). This highlights the book's big weakness: Her need to distinguish her Western, American, Taiwanese, educated, rich family/person from the poor, ignorant, Cantonese/provincial Chinese. Her husband, Peter Hessler, whose book Country Driving covers some of the same topics in its middle part, possesses the self assurance to be willing to look strange and foolish among the natives. Her Chinese roots (and thus the possibility of being actually considered Chinese) makes her struggle to maintain her superiority and distance, a fact her interlocutors notice too. Recommended.<span id="rate-u_d91706e5" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_88424173" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_88424173"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_88424173" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_88424173" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_88424173" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_88424173"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/jcbrunner" target="_top">jcbrunner</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-girls-voices-from-the-heart-of-modern-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | Aug 31, 2012 | <a href="/review/88424173"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_85688591" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing…</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>This is a must read for anyone who uses anything "made in China"! Well written by an American-Chinese journalist who not only tells the story of the Chinese working girls in South China, but also learns about her own roots in China along the way. Reads like a novel.<span id="rate-u_3182c066" title="4 Stars" aria-title="4 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="8" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="7" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="10" class=" fas fa-star empty" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_85688591" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_85688591"> </span> </span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_85688591" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span id="rfi1_85688591" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as not a review" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_notreview"></i></span><span id="rfi2_85688591" class="hideme" > <i title="Flagged as abuse" class="fas fa-flag-alt reviewflags_abuse"></i></span></span></div><span id="rfrf_85688591"> </span></span></span> <span class="controlItems ci3"><a href="/profile/KarenSkullerud" target="_top">KarenSkullerud</a> | <a href="/work/6146268/reviews" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-From-Village-to-City-in-a-Changing-China" class="" >41 other reviews</a> | May 15, 2012 | <a href="/review/85688591"><i class="fas fa-link"></i></a></span> </div></div></div><div class="bookReview"><div class="bookReview_content"><div id="brtext_72603312" class="commentText brslop"><div class="brev_cover"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-Voices-from-the-Heart-of-Modern-China" class="" ><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX100_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" srcset="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX200_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 2x, https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0385520182.01._SX300_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg 3x" class="bookReview_cover cover" /></a></div><div class="commentHeader"><div class="postinfo"><a href="/work/6146268" data-workid="6146268" data-title="Factory-Girls-Voices-from-the-Heart-of-Modern-China" class="" >Factory Girls: Voices from the Heart of Modern China.</a> by <a href="/author/changlesliet">Leslie T. Chang</a></div></div>Most books written about modern day China are patronising rubbish. its all so terrible, its all going to fall apart, it can't last. etc etc This is exceptional in its honest, sympathetic and human treatment of real people and real lives, and is shows how - just as is in the west - the industrial revolution is giving women the power to change and control their own lives, and to find their own paths. Yes factory conditions are bad, and the ability to "eat bitterness" is a pre requisite just as it was in America in the 19th century and Britain in the 18th century. But millions jump at the chance, not just for small wages but for the chance to be part of the modern world and for individual freedom. And this new found economic independence and personal liberty is changing family relations and the fabric of society very quickly. <br><br>The book focuses on two young women, Min and Chungmin, and their struggles to advance up the economic ladder, with little education and no support but their own wits and intelligence. Are they representative? Probably not - they were open minded enough to make the friendship of a foreign, albeit Chinese speaking, journalist. Are their stories typical? Very much so and as Chang herself points out the story of Napoleon's lowest foot soldier is more important that the story of Napoleon.<br><br>I couldn't agree more. A tremendous book<span id="rate-u_114987cb" title="5 Stars" aria-title="5 Stars" class="rating rating-style-306 " data-fn="ratingWidget_fromSettingsA" ><span class="rw"><input type="hidden" value="10" name="form_rating" id="form_rating"/></span><i data-rating_value="2" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="4" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="6" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="8" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i><i data-rating_value="9" class="fas fa-star selected" ></i></span></div><div id="rfd_72603312" class="reviewFlagDialogBox"></div><div class="commentFooter"><span class="reviewMods"><span class="reviewVoteInfo"><span class="reviewVoteCount" id="rvc_72603312">3</span> <img title="3 members found this review helpful" id="rvi_72603312" alt="vote" src="https://image.librarything.com/pics/voteup-y.gif"></span><span class="reviewFlags"><div id="reviewflags_given_72603312" class="reviewflags_given hideme">Flagged<span 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