Peter Hessler, celebrated author of the “China Trilogy,” returns with his latest book, Other Rivers: A Chinese Education, offering readers another compelling exploration of China. Known for his insightful narratives in River Town, Oracle Bones, and Country Driving, Hessler once again immerses himself in Chinese society, this time as a teacher at Sichuan University in Chengdu. This new work, reviewed here by Clifford Garstang, provides a fascinating update on China’s evolving educational landscape and broader societal changes through Hessler’s personal experiences and observations.
A Return to Teaching and a Changed China
Garstang, a fellow Peace Corps veteran with his own experiences in Asian education, immediately connects with Hessler’s work, having admired his writing since River Town. Other Rivers sees Hessler returning to China to teach in 2019, over two decades after his Peace Corps service. This temporal gap becomes a crucial lens through which Hessler examines the transformations within China. He observes significant shifts in his students – they are less impoverished, possess different aspirations, and navigate a more politically controlled environment under Xi Jinping’s leadership. This new atmosphere, while restrictive, paradoxically sparks creative forms of resilience among the students.
Hessler masterfully contrasts his former Peace Corps students with his current cohort at Sichuan University. By tracking the trajectories and perspectives of both groups, he constructs a rich tapestry illustrating the progression of Chinese education. These interwoven student stories offer readers a tangible understanding of China’s advancements alongside its persistent political complexities. This comparative approach is a hallmark of Hessler’s work, providing depth and nuance to his analysis of China.
COVID-19 and Shifting US-China Relations
The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during Hessler’s time in Sichuan. This global event profoundly impacts his teaching and family life. His twin daughters, enrolled in a local Chengdu public elementary school, face the dual challenge of adapting to a new education system in Mandarin, a language they didn’t initially speak, and navigating the disruptions of the pandemic. Their experiences offer a unique perspective on the pandemic’s impact within China, revealing the Chinese response from the ground level.
Garstang highlights the enlightening nature of seeing the pandemic unfold from a Chinese vantage point. Initially, China’s government demonstrated a more effective response to the crisis compared to many Western counterparts. Simultaneously, US-China relations were becoming increasingly strained due to President Trump’s trade policies. Hessler documents the adaptability of Chinese entrepreneurs during this period, showcasing their resilience amidst economic and political pressures. One business owner’s nonchalant attitude towards the 2020 US election and the trade war, simply adjusting Amazon prices to offset tariffs, exemplifies this pragmatic adaptability.
An Update to River Town and a Journalist’s Eye
Other Rivers: A Chinese Education functions as a contemporary update to River Town, revisiting themes of education and cultural immersion in China but within a vastly changed context. Hessler’s journalistic skills shine through as he provides an intimate study of modern China, going beyond the classroom to explore broader societal and economic shifts. The book acknowledges China’s remarkable progress since Hessler’s first arrival, but it also doesn’t shy away from the tightening political controls and repression.
The conclusion of Hessler’s stay, marked by the non-renewal of his teaching contract, leading to his family’s departure from China, underscores the evolving and often unpredictable nature of life and work in the country. This ending note resonates with a sense of the complexities and limitations that exist within China’s progress.
In conclusion, Other Rivers: A Chinese Education is presented as a worthy addition to Peter Hessler’s insightful body of work on China. It is recommended for readers seeking a nuanced understanding of contemporary China, particularly its education system, through the engaging and personal lens of Peter Hessler’s experiences. Garstang’s review effectively positions this book as essential reading for anyone interested in China’s ongoing transformation and the human stories within it.
Clifford Garstang, the reviewer, is an accomplished author himself, with notable works including In An Uncharted Country and What the Zhang Boys Know. His background as a Peace Corps volunteer in Korea and his extensive experience in international contexts lend credibility and depth to his appreciation of Hessler’s work and his insights into the cross-cultural and educational themes explored in Other Rivers.
