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    Bronze and Sunflower
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    Bronze and Sunflower
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    Bronze and Sunflower
    Audiobook7 hours

    Bronze and Sunflower

    Written by Cao Wenxuan

    Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    A beautifully written, timeless tale by Cao Wenxuan, bestselling Chinese author and 2016 recipient of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award.

    Sunflower is an only child, and when her father is sent to the rural Cadre School, she has to go with him. Her father is an established artist from the city and finds his new life of physical labor and endless meetings exhausting. Sunflower is lonely and longs to play with the local children in the village across the river. When her father tragically drowns, Sunflower is taken in by the poorest family in the village, a family with a son named Bronze. Until Sunflower joins his family, Bronze was an only child, too, and hasn't spoken a word since he was traumatized by a terrible fire. Bronze and Sunflower become inseparable, understanding each other as only the closest friends can. Translated from Mandarin, the story meanders gracefully through the challenges that face the family, creating a timeless story of the trials of poverty and the power of love and loyalty to overcome hardship.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateMar 7, 2017
    ISBN9781536661828
    Unavailable
    Bronze and Sunflower
    Author

    Cao Wenxuan

    Cao Wenxuan grew up in rural China and is now a professor of Chinese literature and children’s literature. He is the author of several celebrated books for young readers, including the novel Bronze and Sunflower, which received three starred reviews. His fluid, poetic prose depicts honest, sometimes raw, and often melancholy moments of life. He has also received significant recognition for his academic research and teaching in the field of children’s literature, and he was the first Chinese author to win the Hans Christian Andersen Author Award. Cao Wenxuan is the author of Summer.

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    Reviews for Bronze and Sunflower

    4.5/5

    34 ratings15 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      Bronze and SunflowerBy: Cao WenxuanTranslated from Mandarin by: Helen WangIllustrated by: Meilo SoI 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
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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!
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 3/5
      I was really looking forward to this book, but I just couldn't get into it. I guess it wasn't for me after all. I tried to finish it, but in the end I had many other ones I wanted to read. It's not a bad book, but not for me. Maybe I'll try it again in the future, but who knows.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      A sweet, gentle story set in rural China for younger readers. I absolutely loved all the characters in this book. A wonderful read.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.