Discover the intriguing narrative of 'A Communist in the Family: Searching for Rewi Alley' by Elspeth Sandys. This captivating book invites you to delve into the life of Rewi Alley, a significant figure who shaped mid-twentieth-century China while remaining a prominent New Zealander. With 324 pages of beautifully crafted prose, Sandys intertwines biography, travel journal, and literary commentary, offering a multidimensional view of both Rewi's life and China's dynamic history. A personal journey, the book chronicles Sandys’ 2017 expedition to mark the 90th anniversary of Rewi’s arrival in Shanghai in 1927, revealing her evolving insights into modern China and the complexities of memory. Utilizing rich descriptions and historical context, 'A Communist in the Family' explores Rewi Alley’s profound influence as a writer, humanitarian, and activist. This paperback edition measures 150 x 230 mm and is published by Otago University Press, making it a must-have for enthusiasts of history and literature alike. Whether you're searching for compelling biographies, travel literature, or insight into New Zealand's cultural contributions, Sandys’ work is an enlightening addition to any bookshelf. Dive into a world where family legacy and political history converge, and explore how poetry influenced Rewi Alley’s remarkable journey. Order now to uncover this extraordinary story from Smartfox NZ, and experience the narrative that blurs the lines between personal memory and historical documentation.

CONDITION: Brand New
Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm
Pages: 324
Bind: paperback
Author: Elspeth Sandys Publisher: Otago University Press
Publication Date: 12-07-2019

This is my story of the man, Rewi Alley – family member, writer, humanitarian, activist and unwitting myth-maker. It is also the story of his relationship with a country, China, about which I now know enough to acknowledge how little I know. A Communist in the Family: Searching for Rewi Alley is a beautifully written multi-layered narrative centred on New Zealander Rewi Alley and his part in the momentous political events of mid-twentieth-century China. Part-biography, part-travel journal, part-literary commentary, A Communist in the Family brings together Alley’s story and that of his author cousin, Elspeth Sandys. In 2017, Sandys travelled to China with other family members to mark the ninetieth anniversary of Rewi’s arrival in Shanghai in 1927. One strand of this book follows that journey and charts Sandys’ impressions of modern China. Another tells the story of Rewi’s early life, in an insightful meditation on the complex and always elusive relationship between memory and writing. By placing the man, Rewi, and his work in the context of his time, Sandys is able to illuminate the life of this extraordinary New Zealander in a way that is both historically vivid and relevant to the world of today. Her focus on the role poetry played in his life – both his own and that of the Chinese poets he translated so prolifically – provides moving glimpses of the man behind the myth. Threaded through A Communist in the Family are Sandys’ evolving insights in