Author Junying Kirk

Paperback Cover

by Friederike Rice

Appraisal of Chapter Five: The Courtship (2003)

This was a totally absorbing read! I did it all in one go and hasten to put some of my observations down for you.

The protagonist, Pearl, has achieved her goal: she is a teacher and enjoys it, especially the financial freedom it gives her. Certain rules and regulations have to be followed and the pressure seems to be on. Pearl cannot escape it and after some hit and miss gives way to conforming to the common culture of getting married in her early 20s. Though the chosen one has impeccable credentials he is not really compatible with Pearl’s emotional needs. Parents on both sides have given their enthusiastic consent and ‘poor’Pearl probably feels that she cannot let them down.

So Pearl gets married! The heaven and earth moving emotions she experienced at her first love, so amply reciprocated, are completely absent, and one feels that this marriage is doomed right from the start.

The episode of a possible pregnancy left her weak and shattered, and put her off sex, seeing it as ‘a curse for women’. There seems to be no sympathy from her husband. Pearl is going to complete a postgraduate course in another distant establishment of education. Pregnancy and childbirth would not have fitted in. A pity that Pearl could not have her own way. I think she should have completed her studies before embarking on the marriage, by that time she would still be in her twenties, more mature, more in a position to withstand all the pressures from the prevailing culture, and she would possibly have found a soul late.

Pearl loves travelling and her descriptions of journeys she made in that vast country of China are very poetic and beautiful, in spite of the company of that unimaginative spouse at her side. Here her English language takes wings. Yes, we, who are not “English” often have certain difficulties with the tenses and the prepositions but Pearl’s language is far superior to most of her English contemporaries. (This is my honest opinion!) When she describes her travel experiences, she, who was brought up by atheist parents, uses almost religious language.

All in all: a most interesting and thought-provoking read! Please carry on to a successful finish!

Ten Years On, The Same Moon can reach out to more readers

Chapter Seven: A Tale of Two Cities

Friederike Answer’s Junying’s Questions (2003)

A Life through the printed pages

J: I have introduced a number of new and short-lived characters. I thought it’s important to include them – they were part of her life in Nanjing, but won’t feature at all in any future chapters. What do you think of them? Can you picture any of them?

F: The new characters fit in beautifully and naturally and allow for lively dialogues and discussions on topical issues and make Pearl stand out for her intellect, her charm and her ability to communicate well. For the first time, she is enjoying life.

J: Does the diary form fit in well with the rest of the narrative?

F: The diary entries give the narrative greater authenticity and bring Pearl’s inner life, values and aspirations to the reader’s attention more clearly and sympathetically.

J: I used few dialogues in this chapter. How do you find it to read this chapter? Do you think I could use more dialogue? Are the dialogues natural?

F: The dialogues seem natural to be and do enliven the flow of the narrative. I would not think that more dialogue was needed.

J: For a change, instead of using a poem in the beginning, I quoted Dickens, from his “A Tale of Two Cities, for the namesake. Any comments?

F: The Dickens’ quotation could not have been more apt! Pearl has had a full share of triumphs, of successes and failures. She is on a journey. She’s academically motivated and a high achiever but frustrated by the slow progress in the material sphere of her life. All is still fashioned on the old establishment, the low status of women that Pearl tries hard to overcome. A very brave young woman battling with a counterproductive political system.

J: One comment from a friend/critic is that my writing is very formal/academic, which I totally agree, due to my formal academic training in English writing. What’s your opinion? Any suggestions that I could use less formal approach are welcome.

F: Don’t change the style because it reflects Pearl’s academic background! It is exactly what English speaking readers will much admire. Her command of English outshines scores of English people for whom English is their native language.

J: Focus on the Two characters. Are you getting a better understanding of Pearl and Ben? Do you have any questions about either of them?

She Could be Pearl at Age 15

F: The character of Pearl  is very well documented, so much so that we love her, understand her struggles, feel for her, would like her to succeed academically and also in her personal relationships.

Ben’s character is still somewhat shadowy. He seems to be highly career orientated, obviously very intelligent but lacking in charm, concern and understanding Pearl’s situation as a wife, mother and full time working woman. There does seem to be real love between the couple. Pearl married Ben because it was politically correct at the time in her life. She performed her duty by giving birth to the only child she could ever have, according to the rules of the government.

They did not seem to miss each other during long spells of separations. Pearl, in spite of real temptation, remained faithful to her husband. We do not know if Ben remained faithful to her?

J: As alway, your comments on overall style, structure, use of language and so on will be highly appreciated.

F: Finally, I believe that the style compliments the story very well, and I especially like the opening of the chapter as she looks back on her past life and wonders if – what she remembers – reflects the true picture.

At the end of this chapter a quotation by the psychologist Eric Fromm came to my mind. It says,

Love is the only sane and satisfactory solution to the problem of human existence!

I think Pearl would agree.

Card from Friederike Rice, 2013

Junying’s Note: Frau Friederike Rice and I met while attending a Creative Writing course at Boldmere Adult Education Centre in 2003, which was followed by the formation of Bold Writers. It was during these meetings when I started sharing draft chapters of my first book. The above were her original comments some ten years ago, which she kindly forwarded to me recently, when at long last, her wish of seeing my story in print came true. Please see the picture above for her most recent, wonderfully encouraging comments/compliments on reading a proof copy of The Same Moon. 

Bold Writers Christmas Meal in 2003, With Friederike, Leigh, Jean, Two Johns and Tao