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River Town

Two Years on the Yangtze

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River Town

By: Peter Hessler
Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
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About this listen

In the heart of China's Sichuan province, amid the terraced hills of the Yangtze River valley, lies the remote town of Fuling. Like many other small cities in this ever-evolving country, Fuling is heading down a new path of change and growth, which came into remarkably sharp focus when Peter Hessler arrived as a Peace Corps volunteer, marking the first time in more than half a century that the city had an American resident. Hessler taught English and American literature at the local college, but it was his students who taught him about the complex processes of understanding that take place when one is immersed in a radically different society.

Poignant, thoughtful, funny, and enormously compelling, River Town is an unforgettable portrait of a city that is seeking to understand both what it was and what it someday will be.

©2006 Peter Hessler (P)2010 Audible, Inc. Travel Writing & Commentary Funny City

Critic Reviews

"Hessler's writing is lovely. His observations are evocative, insightful, and often poignant--and just as often, funny. It's a pleasure to read of his (mis)adventures. Hessler returned to the U.S. with a new perspective on modern China and its people. After reading River Town, you'll have one, too." (Amazon.com review)

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Brilliant story of an unforgettable experience in China

Nowadays, Everything between China and America is viewed through the uncompromising lense of geopolitics where differences are inflated and zero-sum prevails. This book harkens back to a time where this was not so and shows that there is actually a lot in common between the two countries despite, or perhaps because of, their huge differences and contradictions.

This book offers a detailed look at living in a remote Chinese town by a foreigner, something that even Chinese people from bigger places will hesitate to do. The story is fantastic and poignant, and the performance is on-point though I did take a point away, perhaps harshly, for the poor pronunciation of Chinese. Overall, a very enjoyable listen and I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn about China beyond the big cities, big newspapers, and big egos.

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Engrossing description of life in China

Beautifully, honestly written. Expands our understanding of life in China and culture. Gives us an intimate picture of life in the river town and an appreciation of the hardships and beauty of the place

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