It focuses on China's cultural revolution. During this time universities were shut down. Books were burned. The only books students had to read were Mao's Little Red Book, and other works by worldwide communist leaders. Young intellectuals were sent out into rural China to be "reeducated." This way, they didn't pose as a threat to Mao's Revolution.
In the story, banished young boys get their hands on a suitcase of Western classics. These books transform and influence their banal lives.
Since then, China has opened it doors to the Internet, Western books, and outside influence..however, it doesn't allow everything in.
For example, I cannot access Youtube from China. I cannot read one of my favorite blogs. The Apage Foster Home had it's web page blocked right before the Olympic Games, so our friends there cannot access their web page (in China.) China doesn't have any orphans... remember?
Sometimes I fear my blog being blocked.
The only information my students know about the Dalai Lama is negative.
The only information my students know about Chairman Mao is positive.
I've taken for granted information being widely available to me in my own country, uncensored (to my knowledge) and with full availability.
It's not always the case here in China.
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