Book #1 Post 2

For the first book of the semester, I chose to read 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows: A Memoir by Ai Weiwei. Although labeled as one, this book goes against the traditional ideas of what a memoir is. Rather than only accounting his life, or a moment within it, Weiwei covers a long period of history beginning from the birth of his father to the birth of his own son. Spanning generations, how Weiwei and his father adapted within the rapidly changing culture of China within the 20th century. His father’s own career as a poet and activist would result in political internment. This would later be reflected in Weiwei’s life, as his development as an artist helped morph him into a staunch political activist. Weiwei considers questions of family, freedom, and loyalty as he both recounts and examines the history of his family.

Memoirs are not the type of literature I usually read, but I felt as though Weiwei’s approach to writing this one was enthralling. He successfully combines quite a few themes and creates a strong commentary alongside the recollection of events. His story itself is unique too. Being able to achieve artistic success within such a restrictive society and coming from a challenging background is a theme that consistently impresses throughout the story. As someone from a western country, I often feel like I am overexposed to western literature and perspectives. This often stifles the voices of other perspectives and prevents me from learning as much as I should know about them. Diving into a book like this which really examines the thoughts and feelings of individuals within a different culture was very refreshing and intriguing for me.

Weiwei’s writing style itself is very pleasant. His diction itself is descriptive and impactful without being superfluous. He also has a great mastery of pacing, and for a long book there were very few times where I found myself bored. His choices to integrate some of his father’s poetry, as well as images of his own artwork and artwork that inspired him brings the reader further into his life. The choice itself to integrate the life and influence of his father into his own story works well. I really appreciated how he can look back and tie moments from both of their lives together. The book utilizes its 400 pages well, creating a interwoven story of how his family's history defined its future.