Bronze and Sunflower

by Wenxuan Cao

Other authorsMeilo So (Illustrator), Helen Wang (Translator)

Hardcover, 2017

Genres

Children's Books

Fiction

Collections

Chinese Transations - YA Books, bit.ly/GLLI-Translated-YA-Book-Prize-shortlists

Description

Taken in by a poor family in a rural village after the death of her father, Sunflower bonds with the family's only child, Bronze, who has not spoken since being traumatized by a terrible fire.

Publication

Candlewick (2017), 400 pages

User reviews

LibraryThing member empress8411

This is a sweet and lyrical tale, part folktale, part myth, part historical fiction, part children’s adventure. With simple prose, the author takes the reader through the history of Sunflower, as she follows her father to the Cadre School. During the Cultural Revolution in China, her father, an

artist, is sent to the country to be “educated” in the ways of the simply farmer. His named his sweet and shy daughter for his favorite flower. When he dies, she is sent to live with a nearby country family, who’s only child, a boy named Bronze, is mute. There, through the seasons and cycles of the village, Sunflower and Bronze, brother and sister, face with courage, wisdom, and love the many trials that come upon them.
I would highly recommend this for children. It is an honest book. It doesn’t pretend that life on a farm wasn’t hard, that starvation and death aren’t real. But it does show that family and love are what helps us survive. In addition, the exposure, in a colorful, honest way, to the life in China during this time is perfect for young minds. Enough explanation is given to open up understanding but not overwhelm with useless facts. The story deftly weaves bits of Chinese culture into the narrative and it is excellently done, gibing a clear picture of the wonderful and fascinating world.
Worth reading.

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LibraryThing member pammycats

Bronze and Sunflower
By: Cao Wenxuan
Translated from Mandarin by: Helen Wang
Illustrated by: Meilo So

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book meanders along at a leisurely pace - evoking an entire culture and world through its well thought out prose. It is one of those books that

requires you to slow down and just take a moment. Here's an example:
"If people on passing boats scanned the long riverbank, they would spot her tiny figure. They would feel the vastness of the sky and the vastness of the earth, ..."
So yeah - you get the point. Do not skim over this book quickly. Consume its contents slowly to fully enjoy each word picture. It's an excellent translation by Ms. Wang.

Setting:
This book is set in a very specific time in China during the cultural revolution. It's fascinating in that it shows in intimate details how people lived during this period of time.

Characters:
Sunflower, an orphan, comes to live with Bronze's family. Bronze was involved in a frightening and painful fire and hasn't spoken since then. The two become very close. Their relationship defines the word, "family".

Discussion:
Sunflower's dad is an established artist from the city who specializes in (you guessed it) sunflowers. During the cultural revolution, intellectuals, etc. were sent to May Seventh Cadre Schools. I didn't know what this was but looked it up. These camps were "re-education" centers designed to reprogram intellectuals with the beliefs of the new government. They sounded very much like labor camps in that the inmates worked very hard physically all day and in the evenings attended classes. This made for a difficult and lonely life for Sunflower. She saw villagers across the river who seemed so full of life. She could not cross the river on her own to join them and could only watch. Ironically, her father dies by drowning and this tragedy is her bridge across the river. She is taken in by the poorest family who have a son, Bronze.

The book has a sort of fairy tale feel to it - albeit a Chinese fairy tale - in that each member behaves ideally. The mom (who is widowed) is self sacrificing "for the good of the family. Bronze seems happy to add another member to the family even though it means less resources for him. This means skimpier food rations in a family where all the rations were scare to begin with. He even comes up with a way to raise money to send Sunflower to school while not even considering himself. Sunflower is the ultimate, sweet natured girl in the face of all adversity and challenge. She is adorable in an idealized child sort of way so it's impossible to dislike her. However, people like this only exist in fairytales. This book has the lesson of family over self which I believe is a very important Chinese value.

Illustrations:
There are some gorgeous little ink drawings at the beginning of each chapter. They are not a prominent part of the book but I just had to mention them because they are inviting and add to the charm of the landscapes described in this book. In other words, spend a few seconds enjoying each.

Overall:
I loved the lush world created by this author and would welcome more books that let us understand other cultures and their values.

Sent from my iPhone

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LibraryThing member kpolhuis

I was relieved to see that this was not a social commentary about the Chinese Cultural Revolution. It was a place marker for the period this book is situated in (whew!). With that distinction out of the way, it was a soft, gentle (muted!) story about a little girl and the family that adopted her

when she was orphaned. It's a Chinese love story... to be more accurate a Chinese story about love. The images are clear, pure, and tangible. I was touched by it. I'm so lucky to have had the opportunity to read this book.

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LibraryThing member shazzerwise

Simply beautiful. Though the historical context of the Cultural Revolution gives the story some background (the cadre schools, etc) the story is timeless. I almost felt, when reading it, that all the characters were mute as Bronze was, but they were speaking always through their actions, because

the kindness and goodwill just bled throughout the whole book in Cao Wenxuan's style of storytelling. I have to credit Helen Wang's translation for maintaining the simplicity and elegance of the language. I'm so happy that Cao Wenxuan's books might now be making their way to our shores more often.

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LibraryThing member LadyD_Books

Throughout the 400 pages, words paint pictures of little wooden boats, beautiful sunflower fields, paper lanterns, and so much more. You will meet Bronze, an only child who is mute, along with his mother and father and grandmother. Next, you will be introduced to good little Sunflower who has lost

her father in a storm and soon is adopted by Bronze's family who are so poor but extremely kind. This lovely story is sure to warm your heart as you see a special close-knit family endure hardships with locust invasions, sacrifice and hardwork with making woven-reed shoes to sell. I especially like how Sunflower teaches her brother the beautiful world of characters and how Bronze makes a wonderful ice necklace for Sunflower. Discover how life in China can be delicate, fragile and fascinating! I love the book very much. Made me cry... Worth reading!

This is the best Chinese Middle-Grade novel!

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LibraryThing member julieandbeli

While meant for children, “Bronze and Sunflower” is a beautifully written book about the cultural revolution in China during the 1960s-70s that any age group can enjoy and learn from. The culture becomes alive, helped by the fact that it is translated into English. Everything rings true and

authentic. I wish there were more books this good about other cultures. Highly recommended.

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LibraryThing member ewyatt

After Sunflower's father drowns, she is taken to a local village to see if anyone is willing to adopt her. Bronze's family, his mom, dad, grandmother, and buffalo, want to add her to their family but they are worried that their poverty might be an obstacle. Bronze, who is mute, and Sunflower seem

to have an immediate, unbreakable bond. The family takes her in and it is the family's story of survival and love through really tough times in rural 1960s China. A beautifully told story, I wonder how much this will resonate for students.

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LibraryThing member nittnut

Bronze and Sunflower are both lonely. They become friends, and after Sunflower's father disappears, they become family. Though Bronze's family is poor, they sacrifice everything they can to give Sunflower a good life. They love her, and she loves them. It's a sweet story, with a bittersweet ending.

The book was translated from Chinese, but retains the feel of a Chinese story. This would be a great story to read aloud to kids. Because it is a translation, the flow of language is unique. The poetic descriptions are beautiful without overwhelming the story.

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LibraryThing member brangwinn

It is the details that create pictures in the mind, and the translation of this children’s book from Chinese has been able to capture the essence of rural life in the Cultural Revolution. The poverty, the harrowing plight of losing all (including your home) and the enduring strength and

unselfishness of family loyalty. The pace is leisurely, but that’s refreshing as we watch the two children, Bronze and Sunflower grow. The reader is introduced to cultural differences such as the respect given to the elderly, and the importance of education.

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LibraryThing member cbl_tn

This fairy tale-like story is set in rural China during the Cultural Revolution. Sunflower, the small daughter of an artist has accompanied her widowed father to the Cadre School across the river from the village of Damaidi. She plays alone most of the day and watches the children in the village

across the river. Bronze is a mute village boy who spends his days tending the family's water buffalo. The two lonely children become friends. When Sunflower's father dies in an accident, Sunflower is adopted by Bronze's family. The children, now brother and sister, become inseparable. The hardships the family endures draw them closer and closer together.

The story is episodic rather than plot-driven. It illustrates the value of families and neighbors working together to overcome hardship and comforting each other in times of grief. It would be a good book for reading aloud in a school story time or with the family at bedtime.

This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.

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LibraryThing member jwyss

I received a free copy of Bronze and Sunflower in exchange for an honest review.

The original story was well translated from Chinese and won the 2016 Hans Christian Anderson Award. A little girl is orphaned and must find a new family in an unfamiliar village as the Cultural Revolution commences.

Needless to say, difficult times are faced by her and her new family. Through hard work and love for each other, this family is able to eke out a living. This is a wonderful tale to introduce children to the very complex recent history of China. Even though there are close to 400 pages, the font is large and has natural breaks in the story to bookmark. It is appropriate for grades 4 and up. It would also make a good read aloud as I am sure it would spark great conversations from other students about their own family histories.

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LibraryThing member eduscapes

BRONZE AND SUNFLOWER by Cao Wenxuan is tells a timeless story of tragedy and friendship during China’s Cultural Revolution.
Beautifully translated from Chinese, this story of rural Chinese life follows two children who overcome hardship to form a deep friendship. When Sunflower becomes an orphan,

she’s taken in by the poorest family in the village. Her new brother Bronze has been traumatized and doesn’t speak. Despite their shared tragedies, a deep friendship blooms reflecting the power of family. The book concludes with an historical note and author’s note.
Librarians will find this quiet, middle grade book appealing to children who enjoy historical fiction, Asian literature, and stories of friendship set in rural settings.
Published by Candlewick on March 14, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC

A sweet, gentle story set in rural China for younger readers. I absolutely loved all the characters in this book. A wonderful read.

LibraryThing member iggabod

The book was written for younger kids and tells a story of hard life and a friendship. My granddaughter liked this book, and it taught her that many kids have a very rough life. It is a good story and I recommend that you go buy it for your kids to read.

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