This book took me much longer to read than I thought it would. It was very hard for me to get into. I don't necessarily think that the writing was as much of an issue as my lack of historical knowledge about the events that they were talking about. I think that I learned a bit from the book, but that wasn't enough to keep me really invested.

A powerful book about an amazing person. Lin Zhao was a dissident against Mao's regime, eventually executed for her refusal to bow to Communist ideology. She left behind a powerful testimony in hundreds and hundreds of pages of prison writings. condemning the regime that executed her, and envisioning a better China. Highly recommended.

Basic Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, a Martyr in Mao's China. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Blood Letters is the untold story of Lin Zhao, a poet and journalist who openly opposed Mao. She was arrested in 1960, tortured for years, and finally executed in 1968 at the age of 36. As a devout Christian, Lin Zhao never lost her faith, despite the many challenges she faced. Writing in her own blood, and on whatever medium she could find, some of Lin Zhao's words have survived long after her death.

Overall, the author does a good job of telling the courageous story of Lin Zhao, who stood up for her beliefs despite the personal cost. Blood Letters contains personal writings, as well as photographs of the woman, allowing readers to get a clear picture of Lin Zhao. Mixed into her story, the book includes political and cultural context for Zhao's actions and reactions. Although interesting, Blood Letters is not as compelling as I would have liked. In an effort to tell Lin Zhao's story, in as much of her own words as possible, the emotions surrounding her imprisonment and death are lost. The story gets bogged down in the last third of the book, making it difficult to finish. Readers who are interested in history may find this book about Lin Zhao to their liking.

I've read a few books this year by or about people living in Mao's China and each one highlights the harsh reality of what it's like to live in Communist China, especially if you dare to defy or question the government.Lin Zhao's biography adds to that narrative. Zhao was alive during The Cultural Revolution in China and sadly gave her life in return for her voicing her dissent.

A microscopic examination of one Chinese girl's journey from Christianity to Communism and back again. Blood Letters is the author 's personal mission to introduce Lin Zhao to a generation of readers that may have otherwise never learned about the enthusiastic young journalist. Using a number of primary sources, including letters written by Lin Zhao during her imprisonment and continuing until the days of her execution, this young woman certainly proved fascinating.

Why the 3 star? Admittedly, it was a bit of a struggle to get into the story and sometimes I felt there were way too many quotations and not enough of the author's voice in the book. In addition, there were some parts that I felt were a bit repetitive or appeared "filler like " in nature. Overall, if a reader has a bit of curiosity about the early years of communism in China, then defintely give it a try, but maybe wait until your library has a copy..
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This is a detailed look at the tragic life and death of a talented writer caught up in a time of horrific violence. What she went through for the right to express her beliefs and live in freedom is heartrending. Her writings chronicle the torture she endured for years.
There were a couple of things that detracted from the power of this book for me. Poetry doesn’t always translate well, and a lot of her poetry was included. It was moving, but I’m sure more powerful in the original language. She was also a scholar of ancient Chinese literature, and she included numerous references to it in her writing. Lian Xi did an excellent job of explaining the history and traditions behind the references, but I just don’t know enough about Chinese culture to fully understand the power that lies behind them.
The Christianity mentioned is not traditional Christianity. There isn’t that much mentioned, but for much of the book, it appears that it is a social-gospel mixed with Buddhist practices and beliefs. At the very end of the book, there is more discussion of faith and God, but there aren’t very many details. By her actions, she is very confused about what constitutes Biblical salvation. At one point, she performs a baptism for the spirit of a dead official she didn’t know; then she claimed that he was now a Christian. It was heartbreaking. Most of her writing and protests were political in nature, and at least in this book, there is no indication that her faith had anything to do with her arrest.
It’s a good chronicle of the times that mixes personal stories, eyewitness testimony, and historical details into a smooth chronicle.
Content warning – a couple of curse words, and discreet referenced to illicit relationships.
I received this book as a free ARC through NetGalley and Perseus Books, Basic Books. No favorable review was required. These are my honest opinions.