The Secret Listener: An Ingenue in Mao's Court

Yuan-tsung Chen, born in 1929, lived through most of China's twentieth century, including the 1911 revolution, the civil war, the Japanese invasion, the revolution, and the Cultural Revolution. She knew Zhou En-Lai and was a first-hand witness to some of the purges that the regime regularly initiated. Her book, The Secret Listener, provides a unique perspective on the era and her vantage point provides a new perspective on the Maoist regime.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 23 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The history of China in the twentieth century is a complex tapestry woven with a series of seismic events that have shaped the country's destiny. From the 1911 revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty to the civil war between the communists and the nationalists, the Japanese invasion, the revolution led by Chairman Mao between 1949 and 1976, the Great Opening to the World under Deng Xiaoping, and the tragic Tiananmen Square Massacre, China has experienced a tumultuous century. Among the many individuals who lived through these pivotal moments was Yuan-tsung Chen, who is now 90 years old. Born in Shanghai in 1929, Chen had the privilege of coming into close contact with two of the most influential figures of the twentieth century: Mao Zedong and Zhou En-Lai. As a young girl, she lived in Chongqing, where Chiang Kai-shek's government had relocated during the war against Japan. It was during this time that she met Zhou En-Lai, who was second only to Mao in importance. Their connection would later save her husband's life during the Cultural Revolution. After the communists took power in 1949, Chen secured a job in one of the culture ministries. During her tenure, she had the opportunity to engage with the upper echelon of the party and witness firsthand some of the purges that the regime regularly initiated. In 1957, the commissar she worked under was denounced, and Chen narrowly escaped being purged herself. However, the winds of change were blowing, and the Cultural Revolution was about to sweep China. In 1966, Chen and her husband were purged and sent to live in a rough, poor area. The years that followed were a harrowing area, marked by political turmoil and social uphe. Despite the hardships, Chen and her husband remained steadfast in their belief in the communist cause. In 1971, with Zhou En-Lai's special permission, they were able to move to Hong Kong, where they lived out the remainder of their lives.

The Secret Listener, a personal account of life in the orbit of Mao and Zhao En-Lai, provides a unique perspective on the period before the revolution and in Mao's China. Written by Chen, who lived through these tumultuous years, the book offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people caught up in the political upheaval. Chen's vantage point provides us with a new perspective on the Maoist regime, one of the most radical political experiments in modern history and a force that has left an indelible mark on China's political landscape.

Through her experiences, Chen sheds light on the complexities of the Maoist era, from the ideological struggles within the party to the brutal purges that affected millions of lives. She also provides a humanizing account of the individuals who lived through these times, from the dedicated party members to the ordinary citizens who were caught in the crosshairs of the regime. The Secret Listener is a valuable addition to the literature on China's twentieth century, offering a glimpse into a period that is often shrouded in mystery and controversy. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 244 x 160 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197573341