Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress is a glorious and enchanting book written by an author highly-proclaimed for his magnificent cultural tales. Dai Sijie dictates a captivating narrative about two hapless city boys who are exiled to a remote mountain village for re-education during China's infamous Cultural Revolution. The characters of the story come alive within the pages of the novel, where the individuals play such an intricate and complex role, a role that allows the reader to sympathize with the social and political issues that surround these maturing teens.

Through the explanation of the cultural events during the nineteen-seventies, the reader is introduced to the main characters of the novel, Luo and his best friend. The events that occur in the book are recounted through the eyes of the Luo's best friend, who inform the reader about the sad truths resting on their broadening shoulders. Horrible and devastating are two words that come close, but do not fully accentuate the fate that these two boys along with many others faced. At a time when the two male figures should have been mad and hostile towards people, they seemed only to express the highest degree of kindness and respect to their fellow counterparts. However, the males seemed to express a higher degree of kindheartedness towards a particular female personality. The Little Chinese Seamstress seemed to have placed a spell on the boys with her enchanting looks and hospitality. Thus, the poor boys were isolated in the mountains, which increased their need for a female companion, hence the reasoning behind their compassion for such a lovely girl.

Along with their dire need for a female companion, came the desire for acceptance. They longed for acceptance from their family, friends, fellow citizens, and most of all, from the entire Chinese society. Luo, his best friend and the banished society of China , were placed in situations where they were isolated and longed, to be given the opportunity to return to their native community. Regrettably, these unfortunate souls were forced to deal with emotions of neglect, sadness, loneliness and longing to be the chosen three out of a thousand. Disappointingly, parallels can be drawn from the feelings suffered during the Cultural Revolution, and the structure of society's classification of human beings, which is based on physical appearance. Secluded persons feel the need to fill the void in their lives by asking for acceptance. Luo and his best friend did so in the various measures they endured, they utilized their unique talents to qualify themselves for re-entry into society.

The suppressed feelings of abandonment, hatred, and anger set the subdued mood of the plot. Although, this mood did prevail in the majority of the book, the minority still existed. Laughter, cheerfulness and scheming-full tricks comprised the light hearted portion of the story. Furthermore, this section of the text allowed for a break from the serious and sad setting. To add, it was also a time when the young gentlemen can appropriately act their age, a time for them to escape the dreadful situation placed on them from outside factors. Unfortunately, the moments of joyfulness were short-lived for these two hapless city boys.

By Liana T. - St. Marguerite d'Youville High School