JF Books Review No.3 季風書訊第三期

編按

本期 JF Books 的書評聚焦於一系列深刻而迫切的主題，反映了當代社會在民主、認同、記憶與權力結構中的複雜掙扎。首先，民主與權威主義的威脅成為貫穿多本書的核心議題。 Masha Gessen 的《Surviving Autocracy》以美國和俄羅斯的歷史為鏡，揭示民主如何在不知不覺中被侵蝕，Timothy Snyder 的《On Freedom》則呼喚個人與集體對自由的捍衛責任，而 Kevin Rudd 的《On Xi Jinping》剖析習近平的民族主義如何塑造中國及其全球影響。這些作品共同警示我們，現代社會面臨的不是突如其來的獨裁，而是細微卻致命的製度性侵蝕──從語言操控到真相的消解，再到國家主義對個人自由的壓迫。在 2025 年的今天，當全球政治極化加劇、假訊息氾濫，我們是否有足夠警覺去守護民主的脆弱根基？這些書不僅提供歷史教訓，也激勵我們重新思考抵抗的路徑。

同時，身分、記憶與社會正義的交織構成了另一條引人深思的線索。 Chantha Nguon 的《Slow Noodles》透過柬埔寨難民的食物記憶，探討戰爭創傷與認同重建；Celeste Ng 的《Our Missing Hearts》以虛構的亞裔受迫害故事，揭示文化審查與集體記憶的喪失；《Elephant Herd》則透過台灣的遷移敘事，刻畫個體與土地的深層關係；記憶的易碎性。這些作品共同指向一個現實：在全球化和移民的時代，個人身分如何在歷史重壓下重塑？而當社會忽略邊緣群體的聲音，是否會導致更深的撕裂？這兩大主題在當今的社會現實中交會——無論是民主的脆弱性如何加劇身份危機，還是記憶的喪失如何助長權威主義的興起——它們呼喚我們以批判的眼光審視世界，行動起來重建公正與自由。

This issue of JF Books’ book reviews focuses on a series of profound and urgent themes, reflecting the complex struggles of contemporary society in the realms of democracy, identity, memory, and power structures. First, the threat to democracy and the rise of authoritarianism emerge as central threads running through multiple works. Masha Gessen’s Surviving Autocracy uses the histories of the United States and Russia as a mirror, revealing how democracy erodes unnoticed, while Timothy Snyder’s On Freedom calls for individual and collective responsibility to defend freedom, and Kevin Rudd’s *On Xi Jinping* examines how Xi Jinping’s nationalism is shaping China and its global influence. Together, these works warn us that the challenges of modern society do not always come from overt dictatorships, but from subtle yet deadly institutional erosion—be it the manipulation of language, the dissolution of truth, or the suppression of individual freedom by nationalism. In 2025, as global political polarization intensifies and misinformation proliferates, are we sufficiently vigilant to safeguard democracy’s fragile foundations? These books not only offer historical lessons but also inspire us to reconsider paths of resistance.

At the same time, the interplay of identity, memory, and social justice forms another compelling thread. Chantha Nguon’s Slow Noodles explores war trauma and identity reconstruction through the food memories of a Cambodian refugee; Celeste Ng’s Our Missing Hearts reveals the loss of collective memory and cultural censorship through a fictional narrative of Asian American persecution; Elephant Herd portrays the deep connection between individuals and land through Taiwan’s migration stories; Shadow Mothers dissects gender inequality in modern families, exposing the tension of invisible labor and societal norms; and Museum of Unconditional Surrender uses objects to carry history, reminding us of memory’s fragility. These works collectively point to a pressing reality: in an era of globalization and migration, how do personal identities reshape under historical pressures? And when society ignores the voices of marginalized groups, does it deepen societal fractures? These two themes intersect in today’s social realities—whether the fragility of democracy exacerbates identity crises, or the loss of memory fuels the rise of authoritarianism—calling on us to critically examine the world and take action to rebuild justice and freedom.

Democracy and Authoritarianism

- Surviving Autocracy, Masha Gessen, Riverhead Books

— A sharp analysis of how democracy erodes unnoticed, sounding an urgent alarm against creeping authoritarianism.

Masha Gessen’s Surviving Autocracy is not just a critique of the Trump era but a deeply insightful analysis of how democracies unravel from within. With an unparalleled understanding of authoritarianism, Gessen dissects the gradual normalization of undemocratic practices, from attacks on the press to the dismantling of institutions meant to safeguard civic life. The book’s unsettling clarity lies in its mapping of how language, law, and public consciousness are reshaped under autocratic regimes, making resistance increasingly difficult. Drawing on historical parallels from Russia and beyond, Gessen warns that the erosion of democracy is often subtle, cloaked in bureaucratic procedures and political rhetoric, until it vanishes entirely. Gessen’s urgent, precise prose makes this an essential read for anyone seeking to understand not just recent political shifts, but how to resist the creeping tide of authoritarianism in the future.
—from Claire

 

- On Freedom, Timothy Snyder, Crown

—A compelling reminder that freedom is not just a right but a responsibility to resist false narratives and collective amnesia.

Timothy Snyder, renowned for his works on tyranny and political history, focuses on the concept of freedom in On Freedom, presenting a thought-provoking exploration of its tangible, everyday implications. Rather than treating freedom as an abstract ideal, Snyder examines how it is threatened by disinformation, systemic inequalities, and the erosion of truth—often not by overt dictators but by insidious modern forces. Drawing from history, philosophy, and contemporary events, he argues that true freedom requires collective responsibility, not just individual rights. In an era where “freedom” is frequently co-opted for political ends, Snyder’s book serves as both a warning and a call to action, urging readers to actively defend against manipulative narratives. Essential for those committed to challenging power and preserving democratic values, this work resonates deeply in 2025, a time of global political fragmentation and misinformation.
—from Claire

 

- On Xi Jinping: How Xi's Marxist Nationalism is Shaping China and the World, Kevin Rudd, Oxford University Press

— Profound and authoritative, Rudd decodes Xi Jinping’s ideology, unveiling the intricate landscape of China’s ascent.

Kevin Rudd’s On Xi Jinping: How Xi's Marxist Nationalism is Shaping China and the World offers an authoritative analysis of Xi Jinping’s ideological worldview and its profound impact on China’s domestic politics, economy, and foreign policy. Rudd argues that Xi’s “Marxist-Leninist nationalism” signals a shift toward a more left-leaning political stance, increased state control over the economy, and a nationalism-driven diplomatic orientation. The book deeply examines Xi’s speeches, writings, and policies, revealing his belief in Western decline, historical determinism, and ambition for global leadership. Ideal for readers interested in geopolitics and contemporary Chinese developments, this work combines academic rigor with practical insights, illuminating how Xi is reshaping China and its international role. In 2025, as China’s global influence grows amid rising authoritarianism, this book provides a critical lens to understand the complexities of China’s rise.
—from Calvin

 

- The Milk Tea Alliance, Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Columbia Global Reports

— A powerful testament to solidarity, capturing the pro-democracy movements’ shared defiance across Asia.

Jeffrey Wasserstrom’s The Milk Tea Alliance celebrates the power of solidarity in the face of oppression, chronicling the pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, and Myanmar. Through vivid storytelling and thoughtful analysis, the book highlights the human connections—rooted in individual courage, creative resistance, and a shared yearning for freedom—that define this digital-age alliance. It underscores how, even in an era of fragmented politics and rising authoritarianism, collective defiance can forge unexpected unity across borders. Wasserstrom’s engaging narrative and deep insight make this a moving and informative read, resonating with readers in 2025 as global democratic struggles intensify. The book not only documents these movements but also inspires hope, reminding us that resistance, even in the face of overwhelming odds, can create lasting bonds.
—from Can

Identity, Memory, and Social Justice

- Our Missing Hearts, Celeste Ng, Penguin Press

— Silenced voices will always find a way to echo.

Celeste Ng’s Our Missing Hearts is an unsettling yet unignorable novel that mirrors today’s realities, depicting a society descending into extremism where dissent is silenced under the guise of “protecting culture,” and fear enforces conformity. The PACT Act in the story echoes real-world censorship in education, literature, and speech, while the scapegoating of Asian Americans reflects historical marginalization. The book’s power lies in its reminder that language, memory, and stories possess an indestructible resilience, posing a threat to tyranny by daring to remember and question. Ng challenges readers to consider whether art can remain personal in a world demanding silence, and whether resistance is still worthwhile. In 2025, as cultural censorship and identity crises persist, this novel stands as an act of defiance, urging us to protect our right to tell our own stories.
—from Sissi

 

- Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes, Chantha Nguon, Algonquin Books

— Amid war and exile, a mother’s flavors become her last home.

Chantha Nguon’s Slow Noodles resonates deeply in a world still confronting war, migration, and identity crises, weaving the painful escape from Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge genocide with warm memories of her mother’s kitchen. This memoir sensitively portrays a Cambodian refugee’s journey to rebuild identity, urging reflection on the lasting traumas of conflict and prejudice. Interwoven Khmer recipes and proverbs vividly illustrate how culinary traditions serve as symbols of resilience and identity reconstruction, offering a poignant metaphor for healing collective memories. In 2025, as globalization and displacement continue, Nguon’s narrative highlights the shared humanity that transcends profound differences, particularly for those navigating multicultural identities or seeking belonging.
—from Sissi

 

- Elephant Herd: A Novel (Modern Chinese Literature from Taiwan), Author Unknown, Columbia University Press

— Through an intertwining tale of migration and memory, this novel delicately explores Taiwan’s shifting identity and emotional displacement.

Elephant Herd, a novel from Taiwan’s modern literature, offers a quiet yet profound meditation on loss, memory, and Taiwan’s evolving identity. Through lyrical prose and intimate storytelling, it follows characters shaped by migration, political shifts, and personal grief, revealing the impermanence of home amid generational trauma. The imagery of elephants—majestic yet displaced—mirrors the emotional weight carried by the protagonists, exploring what it means to belong to a constantly changing land. In 2025, as Taiwan’s geopolitical significance grows, this work provides an intricate portrait of the island’s cultural and historical transformations, resonating with readers interested in contemporary Taiwanese literature.
—from Claire

 

- “性别打结” | The Gender Knot, Allan Johnson, 中信出版集团

— 父权制是一场延续千年的大火，我们虽未点燃，却无法置身事外。

在《性别打结》中，Allan Johnson 以清晰而犀利的笔触，揭示父权制如何构成社会的深层结构，不仅压迫女性，也让男性陷入困境。不同于许多女性主义作品，Johnson 以“白人中产男性”的视角，剖析父权制如何无处不在地塑造世界，带来全社会的痛苦。他强调，父权制是一种制度性存在，让女性受害，同时压迫男性难以表达脆弱，失去反抗可能。这场“千年烈火”虽非我们点燃，但扑灭它是我们共同责任。书中呼吁女性发声，男性直面特权与困境，重新思考性别正义的可能性。在 2025 年性别不平等仍存的现实中，这本书为读者提供深刻洞见，启发社会变革。
—from Sissi

 

- “无条件投降博物馆” | The Museum of Unconditional Surrender, Dubravka Ugrešić, 云南人民出版社

— 当记忆依附于物品，我们是否也成了行走的博物馆？

杜布拉夫卡·乌格雷西奇的《无条件投降博物馆》就像是一场关于记忆与失落的深邃告别，轻柔却残酷地揭示人类如何被历史裹挟。看似微不足道的物件——旧照片、磨损外套、动物胃中杂物——承载沉重过往与无处安放的情感，作者精妙捕捉其背后生命痕迹，展现记忆的脆弱性。生命消逝后，记忆成为易碎的奢侈品，国家与个人的历史随时被时间冲刷。在 2025 年的动荡世界，每个人都是行走的博物馆，收藏渺小却珍贵的片段。书中冷静克制，令人反思人类重复的历史悲剧，提醒我们当时代消亡，普通人的记忆也将随风散去。
—from Sissi

 

- “影子母亲” | Shadow Mothers, Cameron Lynne Macdonald, 华东师范大学出版社

— 她照顾了你的孩子，可谁来在乎她的生活？

卡梅隆·林·麦克唐纳的《影子母亲》揭示现代家庭育儿中的隐形矛盾，聚焦母亲与保姆的微妙关系。通过职场母亲和看护者的访谈，剖析“密集母职”如何让女性在事业与家庭间挣扎，保姆则在“家庭成员”与“雇员”间尴尬徘徊。母亲希望保姆如自己般爱孩子，却惧怕被取代，保姆的劳动与情感常被忽视，加剧双方困境。在 2025 年性别角色仍在演变的现实中，麦克唐纳指出，解决之道并非追求完美母亲，而是公平分配育儿责任。书激发读者反思社会忽视照护者付出如何加剧焦虑，呼吁更公正的家庭与社会结构。
—from Sissi

 

- “異鄉人之地” | Land of Strangers, Eric Schluessel, 黑体文化

— 揭示晚清新疆教化工程中的殖民阴影，连接历史与今日的疆域争议。

Eric Schluessel 的《異鄉人之地》以细腻笔触描绘晚清湘军在新疆的教化工程，运用新清史视角，通过士兵、穆斯林和妇女的故事，呈现生动社会图景。湘军以儒家思想为基的改造计划，在实践中渐露殖民色彩，无意促成东突厥斯坦意识的萌生。作者将其与欧洲“文明使命”对比，提供理解边疆与中心关系的新视角，为当代新疆议题奠定历史脉络。在 2025 年新疆问题仍具争议的背景下，这本书揭示殖民逻辑如何潜伏于历史，启发读者反思民族、身份与权力交织的复杂性。
—from Can

 

- “一个市民的自白-我本沉默” | I Wanted to Be Silent, Sándor Márai, 译林出版社

— 深刻而优雅，Márai 用孤独的自白书写战后欧洲的灵魂裂痕，令人沉思。

Sándor Márai 的“一个市民的自白-我本沉默”（《一个市民的自白》三部曲第三部）是一部文学杰作，延续他对欧洲中产阶级命运的深刻反思。以自传体小说形式，记录两次世界大战间匈牙利市民阶层的衰落与内心挣扎，展现社会动荡中的孤独与道德困境。Márai 以细腻笔触和哲学洞见，描绘布达佩斯上流社会在资本主义巅峰与战后崩溃间的裂痕，人物丰富如大时代缩影。适合文学爱好者和历史迷，这部作品以文学艺术性与历史深度，堪比普鲁斯特的《追忆似水年华》，触动读者对个体与时代的深思。
—from Calvin

 

- “金门-美国住房之战” | Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America, Conor Dougherty, 华东师范大学出版社

— 犀利而深刻，Dougherty揭示美国住房危机的根源，令人警醒。

Conor Dougherty 的“金门-美国住房之战”深入剖析美国住房危机的核心，以旧金山为案例，探讨高房价、贫富差距和社会不公的根源。结合经济数据、个人故事和政策分析，揭示住房市场结构性问题及其对社会稳定的深远影响。虽书名提及“金门”，但聚焦加州住房斗争，适合关注社会正义与城市化问题的读者。文字犀利且引人入胜，内容兼具学术深度与现实意义。在 2025 年住房危机仍困扰全球的背景下，Dougherty 的书启发读者反思资本驱动的城市发展如何加剧不平等，呼吁更公平的政策。
—from Calvin

 

- “帝国为什么衰落” | Why Empires Fall, John Rapley and Peter Heather, 浙江人民出版社

— 深邃而启发，Rapley 和 Heather 剖析帝国衰落的规律，揭示今日全球挑战。

John Rapley 和 Peter Heather 的“帝国为什么衰落”探讨帝国兴衰的深层原因，结合罗马帝国、奥斯曼帝国等历史案例与当代全球格局分析。书中聚焦政治、经济和文化因素，揭示资源枯竭、内部冲突或外部压力等共性模式，并延伸至现代西方与中国的竞争。文字学术性强但通俗易读，适合历史爱好者和关注地缘政治的读者。在 2025 年大国竞争加剧的现实中，这部作品以史为鉴，启发读者思考当今世界大国命运及其对身份、权力结构的深远影响。
—from Calvin

Enjoy the arrival of March and the spring!

三月已至，春暖花开，祝大家欢乐迎春！

编辑部：Claire, Sissi, Can, Calvin, Helen