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Cocoon
Cocoon | Zhang Yueran
7 posts | 2 read | 3 to read
In this literary thriller, two friends, born in the 1980s, seek to understand the experiences of their parents and grandparents during one of the most turbulent periods in Chinese history and the terrible crime that connects their families. Cheng Gong and Li Jiaqi go way back. Both hailing from dysfunctional families, they grew up together in a Chinese provincial capital in the 1980s. Now, many years later, the childhood friends reunite and discover how much they still have in common. Both have always been determined to follow the tracks of their grandparents' generation to the heart of a mystery that perhaps should have stayed buried. What exactly happened during that rainy night in 1967, in the abandoned water tower? Zhang Yueran's layered and hypnotic prose reveals much about the unshakable power of friendship and the existence of hope. Hers is a unique fresh voice representing a new generation of important young writers from China, shedding a different light on the country's recent past.
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review
charl08
Cocoon | Zhang Yueran
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Mehso-so

Heavy going novel translated from the Chinese.
In parts fascinating: covers so much, from the perspective of two characters and their family history. The Cultural Revolution continues to impact on lives. New wealth is central too.
I found the characters' experiences sometimes blurred together, and coupled with the lack of resolution and the bleak attitude to relationships, ultimately not my cup of tea.

tpixie Great review! Flowers 💜🌺 💜 2y
charl08 @tpixie it's an interesting one 🤔 2y
tpixie @charl08 yes. I think I‘ll skip it. But it sounds like there is a lot of insight to it 2y
60 likes3 comments
quote
charl08
Cocoon | Zhang Yueran

I thought I'd punched a hole through the entire world, but in reality, all I'd done was thrown a pebble into the sea. It hadn't even made a sound.

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charl08
Cocoon | Zhang Yueran
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It was 1993, and this industrial city was beyond help. Our springs ran dry, the river round the city stank to high heaven, the large-bellied chimneys of the power plant belched thick up clouds of smoke, high-rise buildings were being constructed everywhere, and cranes were hauling rubble into the sky, scattering dust back down to earth. I couldn't help thinking the end of the world might soon be upon us.

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charl08
Cocoon | Zhang Yueran
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Dad's thuggish ways could be traced back to his child- hood. Before graduating from elementary school he was already hanging out with the Red Guards, doing all kinds of horrible things. Even after the Cultural Revolution had ended, he found he couldn't stop, but kept picking fights with people. Rather than getting a proper job, he found ways to cheat or extort money.... Behind his back, they called him Death-Defying Cheng.

Image from Wikipedia.

48 likes1 stack add
quote
charl08
Cocoon | Zhang Yueran
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"When I was making the arrangements to have your granny cremated, I had to produce documents to show I was family. They wouldn't do it otherwise. So what do you think they did with your grandfather's body? Buried it? Dumped it? That's illegal. The only thing they could have done is snuck it back."
....
"So you've been hoping one day you'll open the door, and he'll be there."

51 likes1 stack add
review
shawnmooney
Cocoon | Zhang Yueran
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Pickpick
Gissy I need to watch this video with you two🤗 2y
28 likes1 comment
blurb
shawnmooney
Cocoon | Zhang Yueran
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https://youtu.be/0_vLx6NM7Gs

#indiecember

#JanuaryInJapan

Intro

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2y
25 likes1 comment