Sunny afternoon recital
After the cellist finished playing and everyone scattered for refreshments,
I started to browse through one of his books, Iron and Silk. Soon I found
myself reading it. Then I started laughing out loud.
The fact of the matter is, Mark Salzman is a natural teacher and his time
is wasted writing these wonderful books, clear and f unny and educational
though they are. You can read each one in a day and then you'll probably
want to read another.
I avoided Iron and Silk for years, because I thought it was just about
Kung Fu. But it's really about learning, and about teaching and I'm glad
I finally read it.
Lost in Place is the rather hilarious story of Mark Salzman's suburban
adolescent and college life, his growing interest in China and the martial
arts, and his discoveries of how the world works, or at least parts of
it. Some portions were not completely credible, for example who can believe
that young Republicans in junior high school would tie one of their classmates
up and cover him from head to toe in "Nixon for President" stickers?
Anyone who has ever been interested in any martial art, especially as
a teenager, will love and appreciate this book.
reviewed April 24
Mark Salzman's 'Iron and Silk' gives many real and living glimpses into
people in China today. In story after story it shows crucial differences
between western world view and the way someone in China would view the
world.
reviewed April 25 1999
This novel is the story of Hsun-ching, a Chinese orphan raised by an old
Buddhist. They both experience the chaos caused by Mao's Red Guards during
the time of the cultural revolution. To please his foster father, he travels
to America in search of a lost Buddhist scripture, The Laughing Sutra,
which if properly understood confers immortality. But only if you are
laughing for the right reason.
He is accompanied by a pragmatic and ancient soldier, Colonel Sun, who
gives the entire story a surreal and supernatural cast, not to mention
a third perspective on life, China, and the United States. Colonel Sun,
who causes as many problems as he solves, provides many moments of excitement
and humor throughout the trip.
A wonderful novel, written with great clarity, intelligence and wit
reviewed June 18 1999
please read this review of Mark Salzman's novel, Lying
Awake
reviewed April 28, 2001