| Essential reading |
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We review an assortment of our favourite books on all aspects of Chinese culture. The Chinese KitchenDeh-Ta Hsiung
There are recipes, and instructions on how to buy and store each ingredient. It also tells the reader how each ingredient has been cultivated and manufactured, and the medical usefulness of each ingredient. For the adventurous cook, it describes ingredients that may be daunting to those who have not grown up eating such food - anything from 1000-year old eggs to white fungus! It encourages the reader to try dishes uncommon in Chinese restaurants and to experiment with more 'real' Chinese food that is traditionally served in Chinese families. This book is beautifully illustrated and a pleasure to read and use. A must in any kitchen! ISBN 1 85626 278 2 Ken Hom's Chinese Cookery
He uses ingredients that are now readily available in most big supermarkets and in addition to describing the necessary Chinese ingredients, such as five spice and rice wine, Hom also illustrates the utensils and techniques that are used in day to day Chinese cooking. As well as giving recipes for more traditional Chinese cooking, Hom also provides recipes for dishes that have been influenced by the west; dishes he describes as 'an invention of some Hong Kong restaurant.' He is not afraid to let his traditional Chinese and American influence show through within his recipes and often adapts traditional dishes to create something that has the best of both cultures. Hom takes us through the entire meal from starters to desert, and provides menus of dishes that will compliment each other. A good reference book for Chinese food enthusiasts. ISBN 0 563 2 1053 2 (paperback) Li Ang Li Ang's first novel to be translated into English won the United Daily News fiction prize in 1983. It is the story of a woman who murdered her husband in the 1930's. In traditional Chinese society, it was believed that a woman only killed her husband if she was having an extra marital affair and wanted to be with her lover. In the story however, it was never proved that the accused had a lover, and furthermore it was alleged that she had killed her husband to escape his abusive treatment. Thus, this book explores the traditionally demeaning social attitudes towards women. It tells the desperate story of an isolated woman driven by the pain, abuse and the neglect of those around her to kill her husband. On a wider level it is a vivid account of social custom and the different roles of men and women, as well as Chinese attitudes towards death and sex. This book has been significant in its honest portrayal of Chinese society and is just one of Li Ang's novels showing her belief in freedom of expression. Through this it has changed the face of Chinese contemporary literature. ISBN 0 14 013091 8 The Chinese Century This book is an emotive visual chronicle of the last century in China's tempestuous history. It describes important events of the period of the last ruling emperors; from the revolution and invasion of the Japanese, through to the tragedy of the Cultural Revolution, and Tiananmenn Square. With images often previously unseen in the West, it visually depicts an honest and sometimes shocking account Chinese history. The pictures were sourced from private collections and closed collections of material throughout China and further afield
The Picador Book of Contemporary Chinese
Fiction
Stories such as 'Life in a Small Court Yard' and 'Big Chan' observe smaller social groups as a microcosm of society. It explores intimate relationships and their effects on the wider community. Although contemporary Chinese culture maybe very different to the West, such stories show that human nature and social attitudes are not so different. The stories provoke a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears. The book enthrals from beginning to end. A brilliant read! ISBN 0 330 35264 4 Sour Sweet
Although Lily Chen, wife, and head of the household, is portrayed as a strong and sometimes manipulative character over her husband and sister, she can not control the external forces of the society in which she lives, nor ultimately, the devastating effects of the Triads. This book gives the reader a good insight into Chinese 'first generation' experiences in the UK. IBSN 0 349 10054 3 Trouble
Maker This is the autobiography of one of China's best-known dissidents. Here he explains his motives for reporting the terrifying abuse of human rights within China and the abuse that he too has suffered through 19 years of're-education through labour' in his own country. Having escaped from China, he returned three times. As he says, 'the Chinese authorities do not like me, because I slip back into China and exposes their labour camps.' In 1995 he was arrested on the Chinese borders and detained for several days. Finally after the intervention of Hilary Clinton he was released. Wu tells of the beatings and torture by the officials: the abuse inflicted within China. Also, and more terrifyingly, he exposes the trade in kidneys and corneas destined for wealthier countries, as well as goods made in labour camps found in the US and UK markets. This is a strong and stubborn man who will not lie down and take punishment readily. An inspiration indeed! ISBN 0 099 75761 3 |
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This
book gives good insight into the philosophy and balance of food required
in Chinese cooking. It is an excellent introduction to specific Chinese
ingredients such as ginger and red date, as well as the more unusual,
such as sea cucumber.
This
must be one of the British staples of Chinese cooking. Although it was
first published in 1984 to accompany his television series, I believe
that Hom's recipes have endured. I regularly dip into it as a first reference
in Chinese cooking. 
An
eloquent collection of Chinese stories written within the last twenty
years. They offer an interesting perspective into everyday domestic life
and the dramatic effects of China's recent history. 
This
novel tells the story of the arrival of a Chinese family to London in
the 1960's. It explores the isolation that they felt as immigrants in
British society, the struggle to adapt to their surroundings and the fight
for survival, not as individuals, but as a traditional Chinese family
unit. At times it humourously depicts the misunderstandings and misinterpretations
between the two cultures, but the tone of this novel is overwhelmingly
one of the family's hardship.
