Customer Reviews
Insightful, funny, eye-opening. - By: Jim Anso, 09 Oct 2007 
Ma Jian's travels around China, coupled with a fascinating insight into the life of the author create an amazing combination.For me Ma Jian's character as a Chinese, intellectual, long-haired rebel is what makes this book so great. Whilst reading the book Ma Jian comes into many different situations that provide someone who has never been to China a strong insight into the diversity of life & customs throughout the 'giant chicken' (China). Ma Jian ends up in totallly unique situations whilst trying to travel around a country which still has a strong dominating totalitarian governement. Whilst at the same time, it is the craziness of Ma Jian's character that puts him in other bizzare situations. It is just fascinating to see what he will do next. Whether it be a serious situation which Ma Jian reflects on in a deep & insightful way, or whether he finds himself in an amusing circumstance- the author covers it alll. I loved reading this book- it completely captured my imagination & made me wish I could travel around China on foot!
China through the eyes of a Chinese - By: A loving mother, 06 Apr 2003 
Red Dust is a fascinating insight not just because it reviews a country so enigmatic & distant to so many of us, but because it does so through the eyes of a Chinese traveller. Ma Jian gives us an insight into how a fellow Chinese is perceived through the eyes of Indigenous Chinese Tribes, local peasents & the intellectual circles he mixes with.
Not quite 'Wild Swans' but brilliant & intriging none the less which left me with a desire to read a lot more about 'The Motherland'
Valuable glimpse into 1980s China - By: , 14 Sep 2002 
I enjoyed this book because it offered a rare glimpse into 1980s China newly caught in the transition from a closed country to that of a fledgling economic giant cautiously opening its bamboo curtains to alllow foreign culture & capitalist culture to seep in. It is written in quite a similar vein to that of Paul Theroux's "Riding the Iron Rooster" but Ma Jian offered a much more personal & insightful experience from his view as a local. Only drawback is the occasional revulsion at Ma Jian's distaste for bathing & his unhygenic habits.
A Brave and Heroic Journey - By: , 26 Jul 2002 I loved this book. I shared the journey, the comic moments, the despair. Reading the story makes me wish I could just jack in the job, say bye to my friends & family & just wander the country. Like a good movie, I wish it could have been longer. There are passages where he skips hundreds of miles to the next town without describing the journey or any events. Still, the succinctness means there is never a dull page. I also wish I could see the photos he took before they were destroyed. Thanks Ma Jian, I hope you have found your journey's end.
An honest look at China, without the rhetoric. - By: david.johnston@scotland.com, 16 Oct 2001 I hugely enjoyed this very honest perspective of China, without the usual political rhetoric, or the "I lived through it alll, & I'm still alive - amn't I wonderful". This is the China of work units, documentation, guanxi, open plains, minimal accomodation, lethargy, enterprise ... a land of contrasts with a culture of social control that has existed for thousands of years longer than the Communist Party.
I recommend this book in particular, for those (like myself) who have travelled to China, but feel they will never experience what it is like to be Chinese. Brillianty written, honest, interesting, & thought provoking, & at times an inspiring account of a man just trying to be a man.
