A Communist in the Family - Searching For Rewi Alley

Discover the captivating story behind Rewi Alley, a New Zealand icon and a pivotal figure in mid-20th-century China, in 'A Communist in the Family - Searching For Rewi Alley' by Elspeth Sandys. This engaging paperback is more than just a biography; it intertwines the personal journey of the author with her exploration of Alley's life as a writer, humanitarian, and activist. In her quest, Sandys revisits China and reflects on Alley's profound connections with the nation he embraced since 1927. This multi-layered narrative combines travel journal insights, literary commentary, and a deep dive into Rewi Alley's rich legacy. The book not only traverses time—exploring the complexities of memory and writing—but also illuminates the historical context of Alley's influence on both New Zealand and China. As you read this beautifully crafted narrative, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the intertwined histories of these two nations. Elspeth Sandys provides an intimate view of Alley's passion for poetry, revealing how it shaped his identity and voice. This compelling work invites you to reflect on the shared experiences that bind people across cultures, making it a significant addition to your reading list. 'A Communist in the Family' is a must-have for those interested in New Zealand history, Chinese culture, and the legacy of humanitarian efforts. Get your copy today and delve into the remarkable life of Rewi Alley.

Author: Elspeth Sandys Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm
Pages: 324
Publication Date: 12-07-2019

This is my story of the man, Rewi Alley - family member, writer, humanitarian, activist and unwitting myth-maker. It is also the story of his relationship with a country, China, about which I now know enough to acknowledge how little I know. A Communist in the Family: Searching for Rewi Alley is a beautifully written multi-layered narrative centred on New Zealander Rewi Alley and his part in the momentous political events of mid-twentieth-century China. Part-biography, part-travel journal, part-literary commentary, A Communist in the Family brings together Alley’s story and that of his author cousin, Elspeth Sandys. In 2017, Sandys travelled to China with other family members to mark the ninetieth anniversary of Rewi’s arrival in Shanghai in 1927. One strand of this book follows that journey and charts Sandys’ impressions of modern China. Another tells the story of Rewi’s early life, in an insightful meditation on the complex and always elusive relationship between memory and writing. By placing the man, Rewi, and his work in the context of his time, Sandys is able to illuminate the life of this extraordinary New Zealander in a way that is both historically vivid and relevant to the world of today. Her focus on the role poetry played in his life - both his own and that of the Chinese poets he translated so prolifically - provides moving glimpses of the man behind the myth. Threaded through A Communist in the Family are Sandys’ evolving insights into a nation that looms ever larger in the day-to-day realities of New Zealand and the world. The strange - and strangely intimate - link between the two countries Rewi regarded as home is one in which he played, and continues to play, a crucial role.