Böcker av Anhua Gao

This book is about the life of a Chinese countryside funeral singer. His name was Han Lao-lao, also known as La-la. Rulers have come and gone without changing their traditional ways. Then, in 1949, the Communists defeated the Nationalists and took power in China, bringing a completely new way of life.Some things have been slow to change. To the superstitious population, the slightest involvement in the handling of a dead member of another family will bring bad luck. Before burial was outlawed in favour of cremation, one professional built up such a high reputation, his participation became an obligatory part of every funeral. He was La-la, the funeral singer, and if he was not involved in a funeral, the deceased family lost much face.Educationally illiterate, La-la inherited a wonderful voice and a gift for people. His songs are known as "on the road ballads" and he never sang a song more than once, making every funeral as individual as the life just ended. For all of his working life, La-la enjoyed the enviable position of knowing that every family would need him at some time, and yet, whilst everybody knew how important his job was, nobody wanted it. This is his story, told with love and respect.

The book is based on the true story of a Chinese/Soviet spy, Gao Qing, code-named Bashan (Palm Hill). Gao's story begins in 1939 when he and 19 other Chinese are sent to Spy School in Moscow under the supervision of Stalin via the section known as The Comintern.His orders were simple . Everything he did, or learned, was top secret and must not be divulged to anyone except his Soviet controller or contact in Moscow. However, Gao chose to remain true to the Chinese Communist Party. For his protection, only a select few Chinese Communists knew of his existence.Gao, posing as a rich businessman, is sent to Chongqing, the provisional Capital of the Kuomingtang during World War II. His first job is to set up a radio link between Moscow and the Soviet spies throughout Asia. Gao was involved in a number of dangerous espionage activities and narrowly escaped certain death. Sadly, his ignoble end is not at the hands of an enemy

The book is based on the true story of a Chinese/Soviet spy, Gao Qing, code-named Bashan (Palm Hill). Gao's story begins in 1939 when he and 19 other Chinese are sent to Spy School in Moscow under the supervision of Stalin via the section known as The Comintern.His orders were simple . Everything he did, or learned, was top secret and must not be divulged to anyone except his Soviet controller or contact in Moscow. However, Gao chose to remain true to the Chinese Communist Party. For his protection, only a select few Chinese Communists knew of his existence.Gao, posing as a rich businessman, is sent to Chongqing, the provisional Capital of the Kuomingtang during World War II. His first job is to set up a radio link between Moscow and the Soviet spies throughout Asia. Gao was involved in a number of dangerous espionage activities and narrowly escaped certain death. Sadly, his ignoble end is not at the hands of an enemy

Despite suffering terrible heartache, loss and pain growing up in communist China, Anhua Gao found courage, hope and - eventually - love. This is her remarkable story.