This was a nice little book. While it was rather short, it was filled with delightful impressions and stories from the author's time spent in China. Mark Salzman had originally gone to China to teach English at a medical school to both the teachers and some students. He found so much more and learned quite a bit in his time there as well.Most specifically, Salzman tells us in this autobiography of sorts of his time spent learning "Wushu" which is Chinese martial arts. He shares adventuresome and comedic stories of his teachers and the lessons he learns from them. To a lesser extent, he also takes the time to learn Chinese Calligraphy from several teachers as well. Whats refreshing about his take on this is that he doesn't do it just to learn form, he also learns the meaning of these practices as well.Some of his stories are about the Chinese people where he is staying. Not knowing these people I can't say for sure, but they seemed incredibly accurate and while most are portrayed as very kindly and generous, he doesn't hesitate to tell their faults as well. He does this with China as well but its not really taken as him putting down the society, but rather realizing that their practices are different.The writing is easy and clear to read. He injects quite a bit of humor so it was truly very enjoyable to listen to his stories. Its a small book and can be read fairly quickly and I do find fault that it isn't longer. That could just be me wishing for more detail though and more stories. Considering the time the book encompasses is about two years, it just seems like there could have been more to write about.I do have to say my favorite "character" in the whole book was Teacher Wei. She had been instructing the author in Chinese language in formality, but really was giving him lessons in Chinese culture and practices. She was such a wonderful person to read about and I really loved how he described her in this book. To me it seemed that she truly cared about him and wanted to make his stay there the best it could be.I've read other books on visiting China but I do have to say that this is my favorite one by far. He doesn't condescendingly describe the people or place but instead shows the real China, good and bad but in a fair way. I can't wait to read more of his books!Iron & SilkCopyright 1986211 pages
I think this book is about gifts. Salzman recounts his two years in China in the early 80s as an English teacher. China is barely open to the West at that point (if one could say it is now) and the people he encounters often freeze with their mouths open when they first see this exotic being, a white man. Then they invite him to their homes, take him on as a student (of several martial arts schools, of callipgraphy) and shower him with gifts. As a woman tells him towards the end of his stay, he has the gift to make people feel good. I can concur: a second memoir of his that had me belly-laughing on the couch. The man loves people, so if you read this book, you too will love a vast array of unforgettable characters living in a culture alien enough to make you mouth hang open. You might even get a little homesick for the sloppy (but clean), rich, lazy life Americans lead, a little homesick for unrepressed children. But you might also wonder if you might possibly get up a little earlier in the morning to practice something or to make something or just enjoy being awake.
What do You think about Iron And Silk (1987)?
This is the second book by Mark Salzman that I have read. The first was Lying Awake and that lovely book inspired me to search out more of Salzman's works. Iron & Silk was the first book he wrote, telling of the two years he spent in China teaching English in the early 80's.Salzman has a wonderful way of describing the people he meets. They become as real to the reader as they were to the author. He is honest about his reactions to the country, and he shares his adventuresas a martial arts student with humility and humor. You do not have to be interested in martial arts or even China to enjoy this book. It is enough to be curious about your fellow human beings, because you will be allowed a glimpse into the lives of some fascinating people.
—Debbie Zapata
I really liked Mark Salzman's writing style in True Notebooks, and this book was no different. I love his ability to convey so much in short, simple sentences. I was a bit worried that his descriptions of China would be a little bit dated since this was published in the 80s, but there are still many things that ring true to me. My favorite essay is "Kissing" because I could completely relate to that particular way of expressing affection/love at the end of the essay. While most of the stories are pretty light and have mostly happy endings, I really appreciate "A Coffee Shop." It's a proto-"Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" essay, and like many reviewers before me, I really wish that this book (along with anything by Yiyun Li) could take the place of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club on most high school reading lists -- not only because these books are more nuanced portrayals of Chinese culture and Chinese people, but because the characters are so much more complex and interesting to read about.
—Novem
Besides obtaining the spirit of faith, I have grasp something else equally as valuable through Iron and Silk. Iron and Silk tells the tale of Salzman, himself, and his experiences in China as an American English teacher and a student of a top martial arts master. This unique cultural and background mixture encourages me to mix new qualities in to my life as well. Life is incorrectly defined as just a game, but life is actually a mixture, or a combination of the many different adventures an individual undergoes, and from each new adventure, a new feature appeals within the individual. Being loud is the center of the meaning to live, and I have tried dragon boating this summer, adding a new meaning and memory to happily look back at. Specialty lies not only in the personality and appearance of a person but his journeys as well, for each journey sprouts and harvests growth.
—jiawei Ong
