The Book of Secrets
A Personal History of Betrayal in Red China
1st Edition
Published on 1. February 2024
320 pages
978-1-3994-0667-3 (ISBN)
Description
The story of a family in modern China with a history of deceit, betrayal and political intrigue, and the communist party's long shadow over them, from the Cultural Revolution to today.
Following the lives of military intelligence officer Jie and his wife Moon, The Book of Secrets weaves recently found material into a narrative that not only illuminates the shadowy world of intelligence in China, but also the emotional tragedies that political extremism inflicted on those working within.
Drawing on Jie's own vivid biography of his youth, Xinran pieces together his trajectory as he joins the great hope of the Chinese young - the Communist Party - and becomes a loyal cadre until the late 1970s when, as a chief in the security forces, he makes a decision that will poison his family against him.
This is a totally unique behind-the-scenes account of a family torn apart by the Tiananmen Square massacre and the attempts of Jie to finally open up the Chinese system to the people, pieced together from an extraordinary archive of personal diaries and letters.
Following the lives of military intelligence officer Jie and his wife Moon, The Book of Secrets weaves recently found material into a narrative that not only illuminates the shadowy world of intelligence in China, but also the emotional tragedies that political extremism inflicted on those working within.
Drawing on Jie's own vivid biography of his youth, Xinran pieces together his trajectory as he joins the great hope of the Chinese young - the Communist Party - and becomes a loyal cadre until the late 1970s when, as a chief in the security forces, he makes a decision that will poison his family against him.
This is a totally unique behind-the-scenes account of a family torn apart by the Tiananmen Square massacre and the attempts of Jie to finally open up the Chinese system to the people, pieced together from an extraordinary archive of personal diaries and letters.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
6 black and white images
ISBN-13
978-1-3994-0667-3 (9781399406673)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2025
Bloomsbury Continuum
€19.00
Shipment within 10-20 days
Book
02/2024
Bloomsbury Continuum
€31.50
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Person
Xinran Xue is a British-Chinese author, journalist and activist. Her first book, The Good Women of China, was published in 2002 and became an international bestseller. Her most recent book The Promise was shortlisted for the Society of Authors Translation Prize.
In August 2004 Xinran set up 'The Mothers' Bridge of Love' (MBL), which reaches out to Chinese children in all corners of the world. By creating a bridge of understanding between China and the West and between adoptive culture and birth culture, MBL ultimately wants to help bridge the huge poverty gap that still exists in many parts of China.
In August 2004 Xinran set up 'The Mothers' Bridge of Love' (MBL), which reaches out to Chinese children in all corners of the world. By creating a bridge of understanding between China and the West and between adoptive culture and birth culture, MBL ultimately wants to help bridge the huge poverty gap that still exists in many parts of China.
Content
Foreword - Words on the Night Breeze
Snow's Story
Xinran, December 2018
PART ONE: The Tapes
1 A Family Fragmented by the Chaos of War
2 Tsinghua - An Awakening of Love and Faith
3 Questions of Career and Faith
PART TWO: Jie's Letters to his Wife Moon
4 1951-4 - Fantasy and Romance
5 1954-7 - Confusion and Disruption
6 1957-66 - Betrayal and Adversity
7 1976-2009 - Resurrection and Death
8 2010-17 - The Final Messages
Afterword - Xinran
Acknowledgements
Index
Snow's Story
Xinran, December 2018
PART ONE: The Tapes
1 A Family Fragmented by the Chaos of War
2 Tsinghua - An Awakening of Love and Faith
3 Questions of Career and Faith
PART TWO: Jie's Letters to his Wife Moon
4 1951-4 - Fantasy and Romance
5 1954-7 - Confusion and Disruption
6 1957-66 - Betrayal and Adversity
7 1976-2009 - Resurrection and Death
8 2010-17 - The Final Messages
Afterword - Xinran
Acknowledgements
Index
