A Woman Soldier's Own Story : The Autobiography of Xie Bingying

This new translation of the autobiography of Xie Bingying (1906-2000)—an important Chinese feminist, pioneering "girl soldier," and skilled writer—provides a fascinating portrayal of a woman fighting to free herself from the constraints of ancient Chinese tradition in the context of the dramatic changes that shook China during the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. Her personal struggle to define herself within the larger context of political change is a poignant testament of determination and a striking story of one woman's journey from Old China into the new world. For the first time, a complete version of the autobiography of Xie Bingying (1906-2000) provides a fascinating portrayal of a woman fighting to free herself from the constraints of ancient Chinese tradition amid the dramatic changes that shook China during the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. Xie's attempts to become educated, her struggles to escape from an arranged marriage, and her success in tricking her way into military school reveal her persevering and unconventional character and hint at the prominence she was later to attain as an important figure in China's political culture. Though she was tortured and imprisoned, she remained committed to her convictions. Her personal struggle to define herself within the larger context of political change in China early in the last century is a poignant testament of determination and a striking story of one woman's journey from Old China into the new world. "The autobiography of Xie Bingying (1906-2000) provides a portrayal of a woman fighting to free herself from the constraints of ancient Chinese tradition amid the dramatic changes that shook China during the 1920s and 1930s.". "Her attempts to become educated, her success in tricking her way into military school, and her struggles to escape from an arranged marriage reveal her persevering and unconventional character and hint at the prominence she was to attain as a feminist and literary figure in China." "Xie Bingying's autobiography is the story of a rebellious child who became a soldier, a lover, a teacher - and a writer whose bravery and determination have inspired generations of readers."--BOOK JACKET. A first English translation covers the author's rebellious childhood; work as a soldier, teacher, and writer; and her efforts to free herself from the constraints of Chinese tradition amid the political turmoil of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Reprint. THE NEW AUTUMN SEEMED ALMOST HOTTER THAN SUMMER, EVENING breeze blew gently through the torn paper window, yet my body was covered in sweat as Grandma held me to her bosom. Xie struggled against the constraints of Chinese society in the early twentieth century and went on to become a soldier, a writer and a feminist