logo

53 pages 1 hour read

Red Azalea

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1994

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Anchee Min

Red Azalea

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1994
Book Details
Pages

306

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

China • 1960s-1970s

Publication Year

1994

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Red Azalea by Anchee Min, first published in 1994, is an autobiographical memoir blending fact and fiction, set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution. It details Min's journey from a young revolutionary in Shanghai to grueling farm work and her role in state propaganda films. This account reveals the oppressive impacts of Mao's regime while exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the quest for personal freedom. The memoir includes a false accusation of sexual assault and outdated language describing mental health.

Emotional

Dark

Mysterious

Challenging

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

11,100 ratings

67%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Red Azalea by Anchee Min is widely praised for its poignant, vivid portrayal of life during China's Cultural Revolution, showcasing Min's lyrical prose and emotional depth. Readers appreciate its compelling personal narrative, although some feel the pacing is slow and the transitions abrupt. Overall, it is a remarkable and evocative memoir.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Red Azalea?

Readers who appreciate Red Azalea by Anchee Min are often drawn to deeply personal memoirs set against politically charged backdrops. Fans of Wild Swans by Jung Chang or Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi will find Min's exploration of life during China's Cultural Revolution compelling and insightful.

4.0

11,100 ratings

67%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

306

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

China • 1960s-1970s

Publication Year

1994

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.