S. E. Bourne’s Mao Zedong Rising: Semi-True Tales was an interesting pick for me. With its odd cover that gave nothing away, and the strangest, quirkiest dedication I had ever come across, I was intrigued to witness some of the experiences the author had to impart. The manner displayed in the early pages was blunt with an air of comedy. I mean, imagine dedicating your book to parents who you claim ‘abandoned [you] through every storm,’ and failed to make sacrifices for you, failed to unconditionally love you. It was funny, cheeky, and touching all at the same time because the excerpt still extended grace.
The preface includes a university application essay. The punchy writing highlighting the author’s flaws to suggest why the university should accept them on a course now was a unique perspective. The rambling thoughts spilling out onto the page gave the character a brief history, and painted the picture of a typical, experimental teenager. The facade of honesty was refreshing.
However, the refreshing feeling was short-lived. The style is replicated throughout the book, and whilst I value the consistency, it would have been good to read longer paragraphs, and focus on something for more than just a fleeting moment. Each story is of a similar length. Each paragraph is one to two sentences. All the while, there are not enough stories to feel fulfilled and the book comes to an abrupt end. That said, at $0.99 for the 46 pages, the purchase price is hardly breaking the bank.
Each story is in first person, which makes sense considering they are framed as autobiographical pieces. Talking of growing up, familial relationships, mental health, and death, the stories read as the memories and abstract thoughts of the author. Processing what the book has to offer, this book would suit a variety of audiences; someone looking for a very quick read, perhaps someone who suffers from loneliness and perceived familial rejection who can relate to some of the feelings described, writers who indulge in short bursts of freewriting exercises. It also suits readers that are interested in people, and sad, nostalgic tales. Readers that appreciate something deeper, more structured, and crafted would do their best to skip over this title.