By Peter Patten, Reference Librarian, Walsh Library
Since his first book, Rivertown: Two years on the Yangtze, published in 2001, Peter Hessler has focused on insightful portrayals of ordinary Chinese people rather than on Chinese politics. That said, he does not avoid showing how the people he knows - students, delivery workers, teachers and others - are inevitably affected by the Chinese political system. This is clear from the first pages of Other Rivers: A Chinese Education.
After a long absence from China, Hessler returned to teach a university course rather than the basic English he had once taught in a rural school. His “Introduction to Journalism and Nonfiction” class drew more applicants than he could accept, including one student who wrote, “In China, you will see a lot of things, but often you can’t say them.” As an American journalist, Hessler’s words were under close watch, with cameras in every classroom and no way of knowing who might be monitoring them. The real trouble began when a student filed a jubao, or complaint to authorities, about his response to an essay claiming that citizens in civilized nations cannot question national sovereignty. Hessler had replied that in countries with the rule of law, such as the United States, Canada, and Europe, people are free to make statements supporting independence movements. The comment caused an online scandal that drew the attention of officials. At a department meeting, administrators reminded faculty that certain topics, including those deemed politically sensitive, should not be discussed. Ultimately, Hessler’s contract was not renewed, and he was forced to leave China with his family. His experience became a powerful example of how censorship and fear continue to shape academic and public life.
Hessler’s experience of Chinese education extends beyond his university teaching to his role as a parent of twin daughters in elementary school. At a time when American education faces criticism for demanding too little of students,a clear disparity is evident. Students have extraordinary pressures placed on them and parents are hyper-involved in their children’s education. Hessler describes how the parents of the children in his daughters’ class frequently post on chat groups about the smallest details, referring to their children as though they had merged with themselves. “We have finished our math”. “We will be wearing shorts today”. This kind of dry, understated humor, though subtle, is consistently present for the attentive reader and one of the pleasures of reading his books. Many schools in China publicly post student rankings so everyone knows who is first and who is the last. Maintaining student self esteem is not a priority in China, at least not for those at the bottom. In spite of this, the dedication of Chinese students can surprise anyone unfamiliar with China. During an earthquake, one student rushed into a collapsing building to save English textbooks. Rather than being admonished for recklessness, his actions were praised by a teacher.
Among the things distinguishing Other Rivers from the books on China centered around dark events like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, Hessler's personal experience of China’s changes over twenty five years and his enduring attachment to his students are what stand out and make him worth reading. Many of his original students went on to live ordinary lives as teachers while some, following Deng Xiaoping’s saying “To be rich is glorious”, indeed became quite rich. One of Hessler’s former students created a business installing elevators in old apartment buildings. Most older buildings in China lack elevators, forcing residents to climb many flights of stairs. This former student, turned entrepreneur, offered a solution: residents could pay a fee, scaled by floor level, to install an elevator and receive a key that only reached their own apartment.
Between 1978 and 2019, China’s economy grew at an astonishing 9.5% annually, lifting millions from poverty into the middle class. Opportunities flourished, and optimism was widespread. In recent years, however, growth has slowed, and many young graduates now face a more competitive job market. This shift has inspired the “lying flat” movement, where some young people push back against burnout and social pressure by stepping away from constant striving. While the mood has become more uncertain, China continues to adapt to a new economic reality after decades of rapid change.
Drawing on twenty-five years of experience in China, Hessler skillfully weaves together past and present. His discussion of John Dewey’s lectures on educational reform in China from 1919 to 1921, which later influenced the school his daughters attended, adds depth to the narrative and insight into his students’ lives. Despite the great diversity of themes and materials Peter Hessler cohesively integrates Chinese education, the covid lockdown and his personal experience of censorship into an impressive and unified memoir that should appeal to anyone interested in China.
Other Rivers: A Chinese Education is available through Fordham University Libraries: Walsh Library LA1133.7 .H37 2024