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Review
A genuinely fascinating insight into life in rural China, written with humour and nerve. --Daily Telegraph
A fascinating and often hilarious insight into China and the Chinese. --Good Book Guide
Evocative and lyrical. --Irish Times
A fascinating and often hilarious insight into China and the Chinese. --Good Book Guide
Evocative and lyrical. --Irish Times
Book Description
The story of an Englishman who went to China in search of a fortune, and found a life.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After being bored senseless reading books about people's accounts of their migration to foreign fields - usually to not so far away countries like Spain, France or Italy - it was a relief to find that one that was not saccharine sweet but instead was enlightening and also very entertaining.
The difference is that Mark Kitto has upped sticks to live in a country, China, that whilst economically is expanding rapidly, still is rather mysterious and possesses a culture that is totally alien to our own. This means that instead of the usual twee tale, which would mainly concern making friends with the slightly eccentric locals and the getting of a water supply, Kitto has a much darker, grittier story to tell.
He tells us how, after building a highly successful magazine publishing empire in Shanghai, he lost nearly everything after the Chinese authorities forced him out of business. He tells us why he fell in love with the remote mountain region of Moganshan, and the struggles he faced once he and his wife decide to purchase property there. He tells us about the house fire that came close to destroying this property soon after it was renovated. He tells us about the coffee shop he opened in the village, which whilst very successful now, struggled initially due to interference from the authorities. He tells us about typhoons and the extreme cold, corruption and culture clashes.
Despite all the problems he has faced it is clear that Kitto loves China and, whilst not necessarily being in agreement with how they go about things, both understands and respects the Chinese people.
China Cuckoo is so well written that after reading it I too can better understand the mysterious land that is China.
The difference is that Mark Kitto has upped sticks to live in a country, China, that whilst economically is expanding rapidly, still is rather mysterious and possesses a culture that is totally alien to our own. This means that instead of the usual twee tale, which would mainly concern making friends with the slightly eccentric locals and the getting of a water supply, Kitto has a much darker, grittier story to tell.
He tells us how, after building a highly successful magazine publishing empire in Shanghai, he lost nearly everything after the Chinese authorities forced him out of business. He tells us why he fell in love with the remote mountain region of Moganshan, and the struggles he faced once he and his wife decide to purchase property there. He tells us about the house fire that came close to destroying this property soon after it was renovated. He tells us about the coffee shop he opened in the village, which whilst very successful now, struggled initially due to interference from the authorities. He tells us about typhoons and the extreme cold, corruption and culture clashes.
Despite all the problems he has faced it is clear that Kitto loves China and, whilst not necessarily being in agreement with how they go about things, both understands and respects the Chinese people.
China Cuckoo is so well written that after reading it I too can better understand the mysterious land that is China.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mark Kitto has a certain charm which he uses effectively to persuade us there is a book here... well, almost! Partly he tells how he was forced out of business by the Chinese government and partly how he and his family relocate to Moganshan - a mountain village first used as a summer retreat by missionaries over 100 years earlier. While continuing to lick his wounds for past injustices, Mr. Kitto takes up new battles with numerous sets of officials and contractors, their regulations and strange ways of going about things. Along the way he enjoys to draw parallels to the earlier settlers and perhaps this provides some perspective as, thankfully, he begins to be a little more reflective, to mellow and find contentment, to be more accepting and accepted.
I did not find the new adventures in Moganshan justified the 358 pages - tangles with bureaucracy, a chimney fire, a trapped dog....
What we do get, perhaps by accident, is a portrait of an entrepreneur - a modern pioneer, or possibly pirate? What is obvious is the vision, the drive and total commitment, the energy and restlessness, the recklessness, the self-justification, etc. It is not so surprising that even in the mad expansion of China the authorities would tire of this maverick! Even the author himself admits the ex-pats who move to China today are professionals assisted by their companies to acclimatise, and to some extent shielded. But whether you learn the hard way like Kitto or take an easier path, this book is a good reminder of how steep and uncomfortable the learning curve can be.
I think more seasoned and professional writers will reach China too, and do a better job. But there is still something to be said for the pioneer's view - raw and unpolished. Ironically this pioneer found himself treading in the footsteps of another generation of Westerners laid a century before!
I did not find the new adventures in Moganshan justified the 358 pages - tangles with bureaucracy, a chimney fire, a trapped dog....
What we do get, perhaps by accident, is a portrait of an entrepreneur - a modern pioneer, or possibly pirate? What is obvious is the vision, the drive and total commitment, the energy and restlessness, the recklessness, the self-justification, etc. It is not so surprising that even in the mad expansion of China the authorities would tire of this maverick! Even the author himself admits the ex-pats who move to China today are professionals assisted by their companies to acclimatise, and to some extent shielded. But whether you learn the hard way like Kitto or take an easier path, this book is a good reminder of how steep and uncomfortable the learning curve can be.
I think more seasoned and professional writers will reach China too, and do a better job. But there is still something to be said for the pioneer's view - raw and unpolished. Ironically this pioneer found himself treading in the footsteps of another generation of Westerners laid a century before!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Even if you don't travel to China you will find this a very easy and interesting read, as it's a nice blend of a very personal story intertwined with the history of the area (From just over 100 years ago up to modern day China)
There are many amusing annecdotes, and if you do travel or live in the region you will easily relate to a lot of what is written.
Lastly, if you get a chance, do visit Moganshan it's literally a breath of fresh air!
There are many amusing annecdotes, and if you do travel or live in the region you will easily relate to a lot of what is written.
Lastly, if you get a chance, do visit Moganshan it's literally a breath of fresh air!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best China Book I have Ever Read
This is clearly one of the best books I have read in a very long time. Rather than just go through the chronological sequence of events with bitterness, Kitto elegantly weaves a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Reece
Censored
The book is about Mark Kitto, who talks about how he set up a successful business in China, only to have it taken away from him by the government. Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Livsey
Chinese cuckoo
Good book. Very informative even o this of us who have dealt with these situations for over ten years. Read more
Published 7 months ago by JemimaPD13
Mark Kitto is eXpAt-tAcULar
In China Cuckoo (Chasing China in the U.S.A.) Mark Kitto describes his experiences as a former publishing magnate in China who had his entire business appropriated by the Communist... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Xiamen Expat
Colonial Era China
I have a grand daughter that is currently living in Moganshan working for a "Boutique Hotel" in guest services. Read more
Published 14 months ago by C. Walls
moments of perfection but not what I expected
I liked this book but it wasn't what I had expected. Mark is a very interesting guy and has made his life interesting. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Eclectic Reader
Chinese Stegophily
Having climbed the heights of publishing in China, Mark Kitto was climbed over by the Chinese authorities. His answer ..... to go climb up a mountain and build a new life. Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2009 by Mr. R. P. Dutton
It brings the memories flooding back
What I liked about China Cuckoo is that it's not only a book about Mark Kitto's business experiences in China, but it's also an ode to Moganshan and possibly the only coherent... Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2009 by serialdeviant
Utterly charming
What do you do when the Chinese Government steals your magazine empire?
Retreat, in retirement to the hills of Moganshan, a former colonial era Hill Station, open a... Read more
Retreat, in retirement to the hills of Moganshan, a former colonial era Hill Station, open a... Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2009 by N. Morton
Outstanding account of one man's experiences in Moganshan & China
An extraordinary story of Mark Kitto's experiences in China, particularly the mountain region of Moganshan. His book is superbly written. Read more
Published on 8 April 2009 by Dr. Andrew R. Price
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