Review: "The Palest Ink" by Kay Bratt

Wow!! This book is a page turner from the very beginning. It covers the lives of two friends in the turbulent times of the Cultural Revolution in Shanghai, China beginning in 1965. Benfu hails from a very affluent family. His parents are both teachers at the university; he is a first-rate student and an excellent musician. His life is planned out for him right down to his choice for a wife. Pony Boy, his best friend, lives a completely different existence. His family is very poor. They are barely making ends meet and when his father suffers a debilitating heart attack, he is forced to quit school and take on two jobs in order for the family to eat. Chairman Mao comes into power and the revolution is launched and not only their lives, but all the people of China’s lives are turned upside down. Many atrocities are perpetuated in the name of the revolution and Pony Boy and Benfu want to make a difference. They start a subversive paper to record the mayhem but Benfu is forced into a commune in the country by his parents for his own protection and Pony Boy is driven to carry on without him. Both are witness and also touched by the violence and starvation that spreads throughout the country.

This book was heartrending but also mesmerizing. The author knows her subject and brings the characters and their struggles to life. She orchestrates a fine balance in portraying the violence so that you can feel the pain and despair but are not so shocked that you do not want to continue. Her interpretation of the people and time period entice you to keep reading.

I highly recommend this book. Although historical, this has happened in my lifetime and has only recently been brought to light. Although there is violence, this book can and should be read by young teens to adults. I sometimes forget how privileged I am to be living in this country and this tragic story makes me very thankful that I am. This is also a prequel to Ms. Bratts series, The Tales of the Scavenger’s Daughters and I have definitely added them to my reading list.