Book Reflections: River Town by Peter Hessler

Reading this book feels a little like looking at myself in a mirror. At first, it is somewhat humbling because Hessler’s observations about human nature in small Chinese towns feel uncomfortably accurate. For example, the mixture of curiosity and resistance toward foreigners, as well as the silence in response to critiques of history or politics from outsiders, strongly resonate with my own memories from my student days in China. The bowed heads and silent students Hessler describes were once a reflection of me.

I noticed that some readers on Douban, which is often considered the Chinese version of Goodreads, feel that Hessler’s tone can sometimes sound condescending or even offensive. Personally, I disagree. I find his writing restrained, realistic, and remarkably perceptive in capturing the complexities of ordinary Chinese people’s psychology.

If there is a sense of distance in the first part of the book, the second part gradually reveals his growing understanding of, and affection for, the small riverside city where he lived. Beyond portraying the character of small-town residents, Hessler also shares his experiences in Xinjiang and his observations on gender dynamics in China, both of which left a strong impression on me.

I believe every Chinese person should read this book at least once, because it offers an opportunity to see ourselves from a foreigner’s perspective. The ideological education we receive from childhood should not rigidify our thinking, but instead encourage us to face criticism with openness and strive for self-improvement.