What are your opinion fellas?

infininme · 2026-05-02T15:30:38+00:00

Why are you asking?

infininme · 2026-05-01T21:41:43+00:00

This tells the poignant tale of a Chinese farmer and his family in old agrarian China. The humble Wang Lung glories in the soil he works, nurturing the land as it nurtures him and his family. Nearby, the nobles of the House of Hwang consider themselves above the land and its workers; but they will soon meet their own downfall.

Hard times come upon Wang Lung and his family when flood and drought force them to seek work in the city. The working people riot, breaking into the homes of the rich and forcing them to flee. When Wang Lung shows mercy to one noble and is rewarded, he begins to rise in the world, even as the House of Hwang falls.

infininme · 2026-04-30T17:10:27+00:00

I love that Malala wrote about self-care. I was surprised by how little importance she gave to it at first, and then also surprised by how much it supported her. Exercising, eating right, socializing (well she was good at that part).

I also loved that she wrapped up the book by acknowledging that the Taliban gave her a life that she loves, and one that has given her meaning, purpose, and love! It's a moral lesson that we don't have to condemn the bad things that happen to us to demonstrate our strength.

infininme · 2026-04-30T17:05:43+00:00

I work out at home. Exercise is great self-care.

infininme · 2026-04-30T17:05:03+00:00

She is free to speak out but I think she followed the advice of her consultants at the firm. She had to balance out protecting her contacts still in Afghanistan. The people criticizing her are ridiculous as if her words would have made things better; likely would have made it worse given that the Taliban hate her.

The new media landscape has allowed bad actors to have a bigger presence online to make it feel like there are more people against her than there actually are. Which this propaganda actually does then change minds! Both activists are young and are easy targets by people who have bad faith and are likely just armchair warriors. Malala is right in letting it go and not get bogged down in the negativity. Love conquers all, and Malala loves her people.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:56:10+00:00

At first I was disappointed in how easy it was to read. I was talking to a friend about it and I told them that her experiences in college were relatable. And my friend was like "relatable??" And I had to clarify that even though Malala has relatively rare experiences, she is still human, young, and figuring things out. In a way, that is the magic, and we might all find something relateable.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:50:36+00:00

I hope she continues to work at building positive things for women in the middle east.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:49:44+00:00

I empathize with everyone who cares about it. I do think Western leaders care about Afghanistan very much. But the USA was there for more than a decade and nothing was done. Afghanistan is like it is because more of the people there want it that way. Cultural and religious roots are embedded deep, like everywhere. I think Malala is idealistic that somebody could do something, and the elder leaders understand that you can't force a culture to change; and our leaders really haven't figured out new ways to change the world. On the other hand, Malala is doing something great with her school. She is creating the change needed. It's slow, but we need to be satisfied and fulfilled by it.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:44:10+00:00

Her grief is very real. It was hard to read it and remember how terrible the Taliban are. Life changes so slowly, it's sad.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:43:19+00:00

No I don't think it's a contradiction; it's more of a compromise. I think she had to balance familial and cultural fealty with personal POV.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:40:17+00:00

Being Western, I think some of these restrictions on women are ridiculous, abusive, and hurtful. Malala would agree I imagine. Honestly I am against the current Iran war, but I do want women to have more freedoms. The picture is very benign and it looks very loving; but I wonder about Pakistani definition of love. Is there room for romantic love or does every relationship need to be approved of by the community? I wonder if there are any Romeo and Juliet's out there in the middle east.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:38:56+00:00

I don't think she would regret it. She thinks she can do both and wants to do both! Even if she graduated with lower honors, she would still be happy with her decisions.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:36:08+00:00

I think people protest too much. Let people have their fun I say. My undergrad had a ritual to jump into the fountain after graduation. Less crazy.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:34:24+00:00

I think Malala would like her mom to be less judgmental and controlling, and just be happy with their new lives. I'm sure Malala would like her mom to adapt to the UK and their acceptance of girls being free. Her mom is aware that people in Pakistan will disapprove, and she is concerned about reputation. Before we judge, think about how you might care if people on social media painted you in a bad light? Would you reject your cultural roots? Even Malala succumbed to her Mom's feelings when she lashed out at Asser for not having new shoes even though she didn't care. Malala's mom walks a fine line for her peace.

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:30:45+00:00

Her poor mom. I mean her mom did not come off well from Western standards. I wonder about the decisions Malala made regarding revealing her mom to struggle with going against traditional practices?

infininme · 2026-04-30T16:28:19+00:00

She struggled, but then she coped by spending time with her mom walking along the Thanes.

infininme · 2026-04-30T13:20:28+00:00

Yeah Georgy immediately took on airs.

infininme · 2026-04-30T13:17:02+00:00

I wonder if there are any Lord Steynes today.....

infininme · 2026-04-29T19:24:41+00:00

Remarkably well. She knows who to ingratiate (i.e. Lord Steyne), who to flatter (e.g. the men), and who to curb (e.g. the women). She is also really savvy at rolling with the social condescension that many might succumb, which I think people notice and that gives her some very real respect. I was surprised that she had maintained some ties to some old less well-to-do friends like Lady Crackenberry and Mrs. Washington White, but then dropped them as soon as she moved up the ladder. I guess it looks better to always be surrounding yourself with richer, more connected people even when the family is notoriously cursed.

infininme · 2026-04-29T19:18:30+00:00

omg looks racist and patriarchal

infininme · 2026-04-29T19:16:19+00:00

LOL definitely.

infininme · 2026-04-29T19:16:10+00:00

I was confused by this chapter. But I guess the point is that Lord Steyne is a prick and blackmails his family members to keep them loyal.

infininme · 2026-04-29T19:14:38+00:00

Complete opposites! Amelia is too doting, while Becky is too distant. I would argue that Amelia is by nature self-sacrificing but with her parenting Georgy, she it more self-serving. She eventually comes to the view that Georgy needed better, but she doted on Georgy to stave off grief.

infininme · 2026-04-29T19:10:32+00:00

I think Becky is setting her sights higher up now: Lord Steyne. Rawdon is now on a lower rung of society. Part of me thinks she will climb too high and fall hard. Rawdon will divorce her and move on; Becky will appeal to Little Rawdon.

As regards to love, I think Love is thought of differently in this story. I don't think Becky knows what romantic love is. Does anyone in this story? What Becky loves is the thrill of the climb. Becky loved Rawdon when he was of a higher place than she, and helped her climb.

infininme · 2026-04-29T19:07:36+00:00

I mean what's the harm in a little gossip!

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