Chaotic. A lot of imprisonments until I have lost count with the offence and some of the imprisonments had no reasons at all. I guess if someone committed something which offended their "rules" or Chairman Mao, there was no way out for the rest of his life even if he has served his duration. The higher level will just keep finding something to keep him in the labour camp. Somehow, I feel current North Korea is like a reflection of China back then.
Despite there are so many censorships in modern China, I never feel their lives are pathetic until I read this: China Social Credit in a Digital Dictatorship. Dictatorship has never left the country but it's just turned into digital format. This book has triggered me to explore more about the history of China and I'm going to read more about it.
Extended version of this book review: https://medium.com/@windyspringyee/no-wall-too-high-one-mans-daring-escape-from-mao-s-darkest-prison-xu-hongci-620e7c991077.
Rating: ★★★★★
More reviews can be found on Goodreads: More Precious Than Life: One man's indomitable quest for freedom in Mao's China.