Community Reviews
Nanjing Requiem is a story of courage and conviction in the face of unspeakable atrocity.
Minnie Vautrin is the American dean of the Jinling Women's College. On the eve of the Japanese invasion of Nanjing in 1937, when most foreigners are leaving for their own safety, Minnie remains and turns the campus into a refugee center for women and children, believing that her status as an American will ensure the safety of the refugees and the staff of the college who remain on with her. Her mistaken belief causes her to be a witness to unimaginable crimes against humanity.
Minnie uses everything in her power -- among them, political influence, money, bribery, invoking the fear of God, guilt -- to try to protect as many of the 10,000 refugees who were housed on her campus at the height of the occupation. She remains to pick up the pieces after order is restored to Nanjing, creating a vocational school to help widows and orphans begin to make a living for themselves.
Following Minnie from her innocent beginnings to her eventual realization, but never acceptance, that many cannot be saved is not an easy read, but an inspirational one.
Ha Jin has brought to vivid life this horribly violent time in China's history, much like he brought to life the Cultural Revolution in his novel Waiting. His story has the amazing ability to pull humanity, love, compassion, and peace from the ashes of war.
Minnie Vautrin is the American dean of the Jinling Women's College. On the eve of the Japanese invasion of Nanjing in 1937, when most foreigners are leaving for their own safety, Minnie remains and turns the campus into a refugee center for women and children, believing that her status as an American will ensure the safety of the refugees and the staff of the college who remain on with her. Her mistaken belief causes her to be a witness to unimaginable crimes against humanity.
Minnie uses everything in her power -- among them, political influence, money, bribery, invoking the fear of God, guilt -- to try to protect as many of the 10,000 refugees who were housed on her campus at the height of the occupation. She remains to pick up the pieces after order is restored to Nanjing, creating a vocational school to help widows and orphans begin to make a living for themselves.
Following Minnie from her innocent beginnings to her eventual realization, but never acceptance, that many cannot be saved is not an easy read, but an inspirational one.
Ha Jin has brought to vivid life this horribly violent time in China's history, much like he brought to life the Cultural Revolution in his novel Waiting. His story has the amazing ability to pull humanity, love, compassion, and peace from the ashes of war.
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