The Chinese Cultural Revolution

Australian Writer

Wai Chim

Freedom Swimmer

Allen & Unwin 2016 $18.99pb 347pp

ISBN 978 1 76011 1341 4
Themsdes: Chinese Cultural Revolution/ First person narrative/ Friendship/ Swimming

Ming has always led a hard life as an orphan and as a labourer working in the fields. When a group of city boys come to his village as part of a Communist Party re-education programme Ming makes friends with one of them – a boy called Li and together, over evening swims and discussions they start to talk of something neither have ever known – freedom.  This is not a very easy book to read but for those who stick at it it will be an experience.  

Year 10 up/ Age 14 up