Soft Burial by Fang Fang is an illuminating book which spans time periods, with a focal point being China’s Land Reform Movement of the 1940s-1950s. Fang Fang based descriptions of the Land Reform Movement on the experiences of her friend’s relatives and her own family history, and the book is largely a work of historical fiction, although much of the story takes place in the more modern day in the perspective of the protagonist’s son Qinglin, as he begins to unravel some of his family’s buried history.

The novel begins with a nameless protagonist reflecting on life and her deceased husband. Dr. Wu had saved her life after she was pulled from a river, and she had no recollection of her life before that point. Dr. Wu encouraged her to leave the past alone as he felt it could be dangerous. After a few years she married Dr. Wu, had her son Qinglin, and built a new life without ever recalling her old one. Dr. Wu also had a complicated past which he chose to keep secret, and so Qinglin grew up without knowing the stories of either of his parents. However, after his father’s death, Qinglin learns a bit about his past, and then has to choose how deep into it he wants to dig.

Soft burial means to be put directly into the earth without a coffin. However, through the novel it becomes clear that it can also mean to bury the past, as the protagonist buried her own past, and her son has to make decisions on whether to dig into the past or let it lie. In China, Land Reform Movement seems to have largely been given a soft burial, according to Fang Fang’s experiences, as many landlords and their descendants who survived through the period did not wish to speak of their traumatizing experiences. Even the government of China seemed keen to bury the movement, as Soft Burial became banned in China for the way it portrayed the Land Reform Movement.

Anybody with a moderate interest in Chinese history should enjoy this book, as I enjoyed it with little to no background on China during this time period. This is definitely a book which is not designed to make you feel good or sugarcoat life, but it feels like an important book which isn’t afraid to remember the darker parts of history.

In Soft Burial by Fang Fang, the story of Ding Zitao's life unfolds slowly, as discovered both by her son and by herself as she emerges from the state of amnesia she's been in for most of her adult life. Ding Zitao was a causality of the Land Reform Movement and subsequently lost her memory. Just as Ding Zitao has no memory from before she was found near-dead and then married the doctor who saved her, the Chinese people as portrayed in the book have collectively repressed their own memories and knowledge of the Land Reform Movement. As Ding Zitao recollects her scattered memories, her son Qinglin independently pieces together what clues he can of his parent's backgrounds. Soft Burial is about the choices people make to forget or remember painful events, and how those choices affect those around them.

While a well-known writer in China, this is one of Fang Fang's few books to be translated into english. The translator Michael Berry begins this edition with an introduction which gives much-needed context into the historical and political landscape of the author and the book's publication in China. His depiction of the dramatic censorship of Soft Burial makes for an effective hook to give the book a read.

My thoughts
I'm admittedly not a big fan of so-called literary novels, which I would classify Soft Burial as, but the story still intrigued me. I found myself turning to Wikipedia to learn more about the historical events that are significant plot points, particularly the Land Reform Movement. I view this not as a failing of the book to provide context but more of igniting my own interest in the subject. I haven't studied Chinese history, but I wonder how familiar these events are even to a Chinese reader. The younger characters frequently make it clear that they have no understanding of these events. Coupled with the censorship of this book, it seems that these events don't get taught much in Chinese schools. In that way, I suppose a Western reader is on even footing with the original audience.

As I have no knowledge of Chinese and haven't read the original text, I think any attempt at a review of the translation itself would be flawed. That being said, certain phrases jumped out at me as probable literal translations that came across as clunky in English. I suppose it's just a translation style that readers familiar with the original text may appreciate more. However, I appreciate the work in translating such a notorious text to make it available to a new audience.

A major theme of Soft Burial is the censorship or remembrance of history. In exploring the events of the book, Fang Fang makes a statement on the value of preserving history--and so does the reader in choosing to read this book.

I think that lovers of literature and history will enjoy Fang Fang's book and this glimpse at the elusiveness of personal and collective memory.


TO THE PUBLISHER:

Errors I noticed:

Page 13. 'Commissar Liu heaved a long deep sigh before asking Dr. Liu, "So how have you been holding up? Are you still single?'" It should read Dr. Wu.

Page 43. '"Did you add the honey? Little Tea," responded Ding Zitao.' It would read better if the question mark and comma are reversed.

Page 183. "Lu Ziqiao even paid a personal visit to Wang Si's house to persuade him, but Wang Si wouldn't budget." It should read budge.

Page 255. "One of our nurses, Miss. He, told me that she heard the patient sighing in the middle of the night; the next morning she saw her eyelids fluttering." "Miss. He asked her basic questions such as which village are you from, how old are you, and what's your name; but the patient just says she doesn't know." Miss isn't an abbreviation and so should not have a period.

I knew about Fang Fang before diving into this book, but had never been given an opportunity to read her work in English. I started this advance copy while on a flight, and I couldn't put it down. I got through 25% in that first sitting because of how interested I was in this story and its characters; it's very much a picture of China at the time. I highly recommend this if you're interested in Asian or Chinese literature.

Fang Fang’s »Soft Burial« invites readers on a poignant exploration of memory, trauma, and the intricacies of human experience against the backdrop of China's turbulent past.

The story begins with a nameless protagonist who, after being rescued from a river, awakens with no memory of her past. This gripping premise sets the stage for a profound journey of self-discovery as she moves through life as a housekeeper for a powerful official, marries the doctor who saved her, and eventually starts a family. However, her amnesia begins to dissipate, unveiling painful memories and the unspeakable traumas she suffered.

The concept of "soft burial" extends beyond its literal interpretation, symbolizing the psychological process in which individuals consciously or subconsciously suppress their memories and past experiences, effectively burying their identities and histories. This metaphorical aspect adds depth to the narrative, reflecting broader themes of historical trauma, specifically related to China's Land Reform Campaign of the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The atmosphere of »Soft Burial« is imbued with a sense of sadness and reflection. Fang Fang skillfully evokes the emotional weight of her characters’ experiences, creating an environment that resonates with readers. The protagonist's struggle with her lost identity mirrors the broader historical context, providing a stark reminder of the human toll associated with political upheaval.

Fang Fang's writing is both lyrical and accessible, seamlessly blending vivid imagery with emotional resonance. Her prose welcomes readers into the inner lives of her characters, fostering a nuanced understanding of their fears and desires. While the novel's intimate portrayal of trauma is compelling, it also stirred controversy in China due to its empathetic depiction of those impacted by land reform policies.

»Soft Burial« stands as a significant work intertwining personal and historical narratives, offering readers a profound examination of trauma's aftermath and the search for identity amidst societal turmoil. Fang Fang’s ability to blend personal stories with broader social critiques transforms this novel into a vital commentary on the human condition, elevating it beyond a mere work of fiction.

I have not had a chance to read Wuhan Diaries but after reading this novel I think I should. a really interesting and well-written novel about the land reform campaign and the cultural revolution.. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

This is a complicated book to navigate - it moves between time periods and the two identities of the protagonist who has buried her horrific memories of family trauma.

While it's fascinating to read a story of the land reforms in China - especially in a book which has been banned by the Chinese government for its sympathy for a landlord class - something about either the writing or the translation feel flat and very 'told'.

This feels an important book.