Super Short Summary

Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng details her resilience under China's communist regime, surviving six years of solitary confinement, torture, and abuse during the Cultural Revolution. Threatened by Mao’s instability, the Red Guards targeted her for her past privileges and Western ties. Her narrative offers a stark view of political upheaval and its personal toll, ultimately culminating in her asylum in the US. Sensitive topics include graphic descriptions of abuse and torture.