Book Thoughts: An Exploration of Chinese Dance: In the Vast Land & Beyond by Shih-Ming Li Chang & Lynn E. Frederiksen
There is actually a funny story connected to as to how I got this book.(This is the part you skip if you only want the book review) Our family does not keep many traditions in general, and Christmas is not an exception. In fact, as the years have gone by, our holiday traditions have decreased. As it happened this year, I was feeling a little down and out of the whole 'Christmas Spirit' thing because I hadn't gotten the chance to engage in the scanty holiday traditions we do keep. I had missed out on the Christmas tree 'pick-out and pick-up', the laying out of Christmas decorations, the tree decorating, and the stocking hanging (actually, I don't think we hung our stockings at all!).
I expressed this dilemma of a lack of Christmas Spirit to my mother, and she thoughtfully offered to let me wrap my sister's gifts in her bedroom. It was then that I looked down at one of the gifts I was wrapping and realized it was a book about Chinese Dance. I looked up and said "Mom?! I'm pretty sure this is one is supposed to be a gift for me!" She gave a horrified gasp and snatched it away from me. "You Weren't supposed to see that! I had it hidden!(and then to herself) How did it end up back with your sisters' gifts?" I laughed and finished wrapping my sister's presents, glad that we had just avoided giving it to the wrong person. My relief was to be short-lived.
On Christmas day, my mom proceeded to give the wrapped Chinese book to my grandfather, as it wasn't labeled with the recipients name. He opened it and gave a gasp of surprise "Oh my! This looks wonderful!" I looked over and shrieked "Mom! you gave my gift to the wrong person!" I snatched it from my poor grandfather's hands, then apologized for the rude grab, and explained that the gift was mine. (This is where the book review starts!)
Despite all the drama and confusion, the book came under my ownership as a Christmas gift, and I did get to read it. The book is co-authored by Shih-Ming and Frederiksen which helps give both Chinese and Western outlooks on Chinese Dance. It is divided into three parts. The first part was the most interesting to me. Mainly because it discussed in depth the different dynasties, and their effects on Chinese dance. The second and third parts were just as informative, the former focusing on the relationship between Chinese dance and culture and the latter on seven interviews with Chinese Dance artists. Another plus about this book was that it possessed extensive notes in the back about figures or topics mentioned in the text. I never read the extra content in the backs of books, so the fact that I found these notes interesting definitely says something.
The only thing that might be seen as a downfall for this book is the fact that it is not necessarily an easy read. Some books can pick a reader up and carry them easily along the flow of content. Chinese Dance: In the Vast Land & Beyond does not do that. I personally find it to require a lot of active engagement from the reader in order to keep tracking with what the book is saying. Also, a lot of its phrases are rather long-winded, and the book sometimes makes statements that I feel go unexplained. Nevertheless, a challenge is never really a bad thing, so I would definitely recommend putting it on your wishlist if you want a well-rounded explanation of Chinese dance and are okay with wading through some thicker content.
I expressed this dilemma of a lack of Christmas Spirit to my mother, and she thoughtfully offered to let me wrap my sister's gifts in her bedroom. It was then that I looked down at one of the gifts I was wrapping and realized it was a book about Chinese Dance. I looked up and said "Mom?! I'm pretty sure this is one is supposed to be a gift for me!" She gave a horrified gasp and snatched it away from me. "You Weren't supposed to see that! I had it hidden!(and then to herself) How did it end up back with your sisters' gifts?" I laughed and finished wrapping my sister's presents, glad that we had just avoided giving it to the wrong person. My relief was to be short-lived.
On Christmas day, my mom proceeded to give the wrapped Chinese book to my grandfather, as it wasn't labeled with the recipients name. He opened it and gave a gasp of surprise "Oh my! This looks wonderful!" I looked over and shrieked "Mom! you gave my gift to the wrong person!" I snatched it from my poor grandfather's hands, then apologized for the rude grab, and explained that the gift was mine. (This is where the book review starts!)
Despite all the drama and confusion, the book came under my ownership as a Christmas gift, and I did get to read it. The book is co-authored by Shih-Ming and Frederiksen which helps give both Chinese and Western outlooks on Chinese Dance. It is divided into three parts. The first part was the most interesting to me. Mainly because it discussed in depth the different dynasties, and their effects on Chinese dance. The second and third parts were just as informative, the former focusing on the relationship between Chinese dance and culture and the latter on seven interviews with Chinese Dance artists. Another plus about this book was that it possessed extensive notes in the back about figures or topics mentioned in the text. I never read the extra content in the backs of books, so the fact that I found these notes interesting definitely says something.
The only thing that might be seen as a downfall for this book is the fact that it is not necessarily an easy read. Some books can pick a reader up and carry them easily along the flow of content. Chinese Dance: In the Vast Land & Beyond does not do that. I personally find it to require a lot of active engagement from the reader in order to keep tracking with what the book is saying. Also, a lot of its phrases are rather long-winded, and the book sometimes makes statements that I feel go unexplained. Nevertheless, a challenge is never really a bad thing, so I would definitely recommend putting it on your wishlist if you want a well-rounded explanation of Chinese dance and are okay with wading through some thicker content.
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