Chinese Government Damns Rivers: Peter Hessler"s Journey in China
- Peter Hessler's new book is a sequel to his earlier work, focusing on his experiences teaching in China.
- The narrative was affected by the pandemic and U.S.-China relations, altering the original plan to follow former students.
- Hessler's writing highlights the intersection of personal lives and political realities in modern China.
Peter Hessler's latest work is a sequel to his acclaimed book, 'River Town,' which chronicled his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in China during the mid-1990s. Originally intended to follow the lives of his former students and compare them to new students at Sichuan University in Chengdu, Hessler's plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating U.S.-China tensions. The narrative intertwines personal stories with broader political themes, reflecting on how these factors have shaped the lives of his students. Hessler's writing captures the complexities of life in China, including the impact of politics on personal relationships and the challenges faced by individuals navigating societal expectations. Despite the interruptions, Hessler's work remains a significant contribution to understanding contemporary Chinese society and the experiences of those who bridge cultural divides.