Anchee Min has been remarkably lucky at least three times in her life. As a reward for her loyalty to China’s Maoist regime, she was selected by Madame Mao to star in a government-produced film. Her good fortune wasn’t long lasting, though; Mao’s death and the end of his regime sent Min back into the ranks of the lowly. Her friendship with actress Joan Chen allowed her to move to the United States, and when she chronicled her sometimes shocking experiences in China (she describes herself as the “product of Maoist brainwashing”) in Red Azalea, she earned critical hosannas and cracked the bestseller lists. In her native country, Min is frequently criticized for sharing too much. Here, though, she is admired for her portraits of a remarkable time and place. 10500 Hillside La. W., Minnetonka; 651-209-6799; www.hclib.org
Leave a Reply