To the Edge of the Sky

Anhua Gao's parents were hailed as revolutionary heroes. In her early years she knew love and support and grew up in a privileged world. But when they both tragically died, all she was left with was her parent's fading reputation to guide her through the horrors of 20th century China. This is the story of how Anhua first struggled with and then against the ideological machine of Red China. It is a story of pain and horror, turmoil and tragedy. But most of all it is the story of a woman who found courage, hope and humour and who, against unbelievable odds, survived.

To The Edge Of The Sky

Biographies & Memoirs

Gao, Anhua

Community & Culture

Penguin Uk

Anhua Gao's parents were hailed as revolutionary heroes. In her early years she knew love and support and grew up in a privileged world. But when they both tragically died, all they were left with was their parent's fading reputation to guide them through the horrors of 20th century China. This is the story of how Anhua first struggled with and then against the ideological machine of Red China. It is a story of pain and horror, turmoil and tragedy. But most of all it is the story of a woman who found courage, hope and humour and who, against unbelievable odds, survived.

History

Asia

Penguin Books, Ltd.

VIKING

To the "Edge of the Sky" is the harrowing account of a remarkable woman's life in communist China-a tale of human courage in the face of shocking inhumanity and hardship. Anhua Gao (her name means Tranquil Flower) was born in 1949, the year that Mao Tse Tung declared the foundation of the People's Republic of China. "To The Edge of the Sky" is, like Jung Chang's "Wild Swans," an inspiring and heartrending story of life under communist rule and, at the same time, a compelling and detailed history of China's political upheaval through the twentieth century. Gao's early childhood is idyllic-both of her parents are highly respected workers in the Communist army and the family lives in comfort, with many privileges. By the time Anhua is eleven, however, both are dead-and their reputation proves a fragile shield from the horrors of communist China. With an assured and deliberate voice, and from the perspective of her new and hard-won safety of a new life in Britain (her mother once pointed out the island country to her on a Chinese world map, located on the far left "on the edge of the sky"), Gao interweaves a picture of calamitous Maoist policies with her own story of shocking family betrayal, cruel imprisonment, and bureaucratic absurdity. "To the Edge of the Sky" is a powerful and evocative autobiography-the story of a woman who, against unbelievable odds, survived to find a happiness she had not dared hope for.

To the Edge of the Sky: A Story of Love, Betrayal, Suffering, and the Strength of Human Courage

Arts & Literature

Overlook Books

The Funeral Singer

Literature & Fiction

Remembering Publishing, LLC

Memoirs

Thistle Publishing

This is a true story, graphically told, of life in China under Mao and the communists. 
'I wanted to tell the whole world the truth about China. People living outside didn't really understand what happened - because my parents died a long time ago I could not do my duty and look after them. I was too young. So I have written a book for them.' 
Despite suffering terrible heartache, loss and pain growing up in communist China, Anhua Gao found courage, hope and - eventually - love. This is her story: the story of a woman who, whether she tried to live with or struggle against the harsh ideology of Red China, was treated with shocking inhumanity. 
When her parents died, leaving Anhua and her siblings orphans, they were hailed by Mao Tse-tung as revolutionary martyrs. But her parents' reputation proved a fragile shield from the horrors of communist China. Her life torn apart by the whims of the state, Anhua found herself alone - something she fully realized when, after serving with distinction as a nurse in the Red Army, her own sister betrayed her, blighting her future. 
Ill-treated for years by her cruel husband, she was then thrown into jail when the security police accused her of being an enemy agent because she spoke English. While there she not only experienced appalling deprivations and bore witness to hideous torture, but was completely isolated from her young daughter - not even being told who was caring for her. 
Moving, sometimes shocking, but always compelling, this is the tale of someone who, against unbelievable odds, survived and, finally, found a happiness she had not dared to hope for. It is a 'must read' for anyone interested in modern and, in particular, Chinese history.Praise for To the Edge of the Sky: 
'A candid humility and patient lovingness that regularly snatched at this reader's heart' - Independent 
'An authentic survivor's story, more disturbing and awe-inspiring than any TV reality show' - Kirkus Reviews 
'To the Edge of the Sky explores the depth of human existence in hardship, and it does it in such a down to earth way that you won't be able to pry yourself away. I stayed up to read it' - Avalinah's Books\nAnhua Gao was born in 1949 in Shandong Province and brought up in Nanjing, the capital city of Jiangsu Province. After many years of hardship, she moved to the UK in 1994 to be with her British husband.

To the Edge of the Sky: A true story of life in China under Mao

Lume Books

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