From primary school to university, most students around the world are required to read specific books throughout their school life. Although a painful experience for many students, the diversity of the mandatory readings is a magnificent testimony to different nations' cultural and historical diversity. The wide range of books also reflects the unbounded richness of world literature. There are so many gems in different languages, waiting to be read and explored.
Shanghai gathers such a wide diaspora of nationalities. We have used this opportunity and asked several readers which books were mandatory reads in their schools. The answers are most likely not representative of the whole country, since they do not reflect regional / school differences, but they do give us interesting reading suggestions and a brief insight into the books that certain countries consider to be important.
Columbia by Luis:
Which books are mandatory reads in your country?
In Colombia there are no mandatory books to read nationwide. The teacher can ask students to read a book, but this actually depends on the school you are attending. In Colombia we have private schools, Catholic schools and public schools, and the rules are different depending on the kind of school you attend. For instance, most Catholic schools would require students to read the Holy Bible as part of the mandatory corpus.
In most schools though, some emblematic reads are Don Quijote de la Mancha and Sin Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude) by Gabriel García Márquez.
What are the books about?
Don Quijote de la Mancha is a very old Spanish literature book about a knight-errant noble who lost his sanity.
One Hundred Years of Solitude is the story of seven generations of the Buendía Family inthe town of Macondo. It received the Nobel Prize for Literature. It is a beautiful novel about the multi-generational story of a family in Colombia. It metaphorically narrates our country's history.
Why are these books important?
Don Quijote is important to us because the book is very rich and influenced Colombian culture a lot.
One Hundred Years of Solitude is a metaphorical and critical interpretation of Colombian history, from foundation to contemporary nation: different national myths, often derived from historical events, are presented through the story of the family. It could be said that the novel is a piece of work that Latin American culture has created to understand itself. Overall, there is an underlying pattern of Latin American history in One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Ethiopia by Anteneh:
Which books are mandatory reads in your country?
There are a few countries that boast to have the oldest traditions and customs. I am from such a country – Ethiopia. For Instance, we strongly believe that our written language’s existence surpasses that of the Sumerians』. However, there is one crucial trait that we seem to lack, the culture of reading. In my opinion, this short-falling of a nation is a direct outcome of two major scenarios. Firstly, the "Education System" is highly influenced by the Orthodox Church, whose modus operandi in knowledge transfer is mostly word of mouth. Secondly, as in most African countries, books are usually written in favor of the ruling party of a specific time. This literally has made people stay away from books.
Though not many, while I was in school, there were some required readings (Novels & Plays) like Fikir Eskemekaber (Love to the Grave) by Dr. Haddis Alemayehu, Collected works by the late Lauret Tsegaye Gebre-Medhen (Collision of Altars), Mengestu Lema (Marriage by Abduction) and so forth. Amongst these books, I loved the Romantic Satire - Love to the Grave.
What is the book about?
Love to the Grave spins a tale of an innocent love between two young people, Seble and Bezabih, which is frustrated by the obsessions of Seble’s parents in maintaining / elevating their social class and lineage. This pursuit leaves them completely blind to the true value of people, and renders them incapable of appreciating the depths of true love. In the process, they destroyed the happiness and ultimately the life of their only daughter.
Why is this book important?
Despite having a theme of a typical romance tale, Love to the Grave’s depiction of people’s lives at one crucial time in our history is fairly accurate. This book used allegories and metaphorical wits that went beyond its time and is still considered classic by many. Through his colorful characters and amazing storytelling, we immediately get immersed in the beauty of Ethiopian culture, the charity and hospitality of the average villager, and the courtesy, kindness, and affection of the people in those areas. Following Bezabih from one monastery to another, we can see the life of a Kolo Temari (an upcoming apprentice who will specialize in mystic literature). We see him in the parishes, as he progresses from a Kolo Temari to being a famous LiQ (Wise man) who teaches Qine (a high level of spiritual poetry) and to being called Meri Geta Bezabih or Chief Bezabeh - for lack of a better word.
Most importantly tough, Mr. Haddis shows us the ugly side of our history and culture, and the narrow-mindedness that would arise from blindly following the "customs" of the society. This is evident as her father lost sight of the fact that love transcends class and launches a campaign to find Bezabih and make him reverse his Asmat (Spell).
Mr. Haddis also illustrates other unsavory characteristics that were common in Ethiopian culture: The complete disrespect that the powerful showed to the common-folk and their utmost disdain for them; the refusal of both the powerful and powerless to listen to new ideas, and to entertain the possibility that maybe the status quo could and should be changed and improved. The writer reminds us to always re-evaluate ourselves, resign from our fate dictated by the norms of the society, but to aspire to change those norms even if it is almost impossible to do so. He also advises us that even as we try to change and improve we should never forget where we came from so that we know where we are going.
France by Emile:
Which books are mandatory reads in your country?
As a French-Chinese who grew up in Paris, I attended French literature classes and consequently read a part of the mandatory French school corpus (more or less assiduously). This notably included L'Assommoir from the French novelist Emile Zola when I was in high school.
What is the book about?
L』Assommoir is a naturalistic novel depicting alcoholism and poverty in a working-class family in Paris in the 19th century. By picturing the rise and fall of Gervaise, the main character and young washer woman whose dream is to open her open laundry shop, the author gives us a realistic and crude insight into the struggles and miseries of ordinary Parisian workers fighting for survival. Gervaise is a kindhearted but weak-willed country girl who succeeds in fulfilling her dreams but is nevertheless unable to escape her social determinism: left alone and forgotten, she eventually dies in poverty.
Why is this book important?
L』Assommoir paints a raw and almost scientific reality of the working-class conditions in the late 19th century in Paris.
How did it affect you?
The novel's realism and power impacted me a lot when I was 17. As it helped me reflect upon my own condition as a first-generation Chinese immigrant in Paris, I have since become increasingly interested in topics such as class struggle and social reproduction. I happened to have the chance to attend one of France's best high schools, though I didn't think too much of it until I started university. After leaving high school however, I became more and more aware of social determinism issues: I realized how much I, a young Chinese immigrant from Gansu, China, had been surrounded by the descendants of the French upper-society. I came to be aware of the sharp differences between my (lovely) privileged friends' background and my own, and this realization signed the death of my idealism and the illusion that people were equal in ability and opportunities: drawing on my own life I could clearly understand why it wasn't the case. This is not a complaint however; I am fortunate enough regarding many aspects of my life, and l』Assommoir is the sparkle that eventually helped me realize it.
Italy by Sara:
Which books are mandatory reads in your country?
Italy is the homeland of many famous and talented authors. Some of the mandatory books were: La Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy) by Dante and I promessi Sposi (The Betrothed) by Alessandro Manzoni. We read the mandatory books during the regular hours for 1 - 2 hours. For The Divine Comedy, a book written in the Middle Ages, our professor would help us understand the real meaning of each word and sentence. This for two reasons: first of all, the Italian language from the Middle Ages is a bit different from our modern Italian and the structure of the poem is not so easy to understand. Secondly, it's a poem full of "allegories", it contains a the richness of the language, each word had a double meaning, proving that Dante is the genius of the language.
What are the books about?
The Divine Comedy is considered one of the greatest works of world literature while The Betrothed is the most famous and widely read novel in Italy.
The Divine Comedy is divided into 3 books made by 100 cantos. It's a poem written during the Middle Ages. The poem arose from a critical moment both in Dante's life and in the Italian historical situation. Dante wrote the poem while he was banished. Italy was a corrupted country where the clergy was keener on materialism and pleasure, and the emperor's last priority was the Italian political situation. The book is about a dream. The main character is Dante who, with the help of two friends, Virgilio (who represents the Human Reason) and Beatrice (who represents the divine knowledge), started a journey in the afterlife to show the world the right way to salvation: from the darkness of Hell through Purgatory and in the end Heaven where he will see the Holy God. The book is about religion, sin, peace and redemption. It allows us to discover the world from a different point of view, a spiritual path from the darkness to the light, from a critical moment to a happy ending.
The Betrothed is a historical novel which took place during the XVII century in Northern Italy between Lago di Lecco, Monza and Milano. It's the story about a couple that is prevented from marrying each other by the tyrant Don Rodrigo. In the background, the story is a framework of history: the oppressive years of direct Spanish ruling and the extraordinary description of the plague that struck Milan around 1630. It deals with a variety of themes,from the cowardly, hypocritical nature of one prelate (Don Abbondio) and the heroic sainthood of other priests (Padre Cristoforo, Federico Borromeo), to the unwavering strength of love (the relationship between Renzo and Lucia, and their struggle to finally meet again and be married), and offers some keen insights into the meanderings of the human mind. It's a book about justice, love, faith, the clash between good and evil. Although many unexpected events happen (they were separated, were forced to leave their hometown, faced dangerous situations), in the end the Holy Will reunited the young lovers. The Divine Providence is the key of the Novel. Everything that occurs in the universe takes place under Divine Providence — that is, under God's sovereign guidance and control. No matter which difficulties, Renzo and Lucia were soulmates and they were destined to stay together.
Why are these books important?
The two authors are the masters of the Italian Language and their masterpieces are important because they set the change and the evolution of Italian.
How did they affect you?
I read these books almost 15 years ago. I was a teenager with a peaceful life, the drama and the main issues of life were "I haven't studied enough for tomorrow's exam" or "I like that guy but seems I am invisible to him". I hardly remember if I got the point of both books. The themes and the topics were quite difficult and I was not yet mature enough to understand and apply them to my life.
Faith and Providence are the leitmotif for both authors. For sure, the learning lesson is that no matter how critical the situation and how difficult the journey is, Faith and Providence will guide you on the right path. I would be curious to read them again and see how they would impact my life.
On a side note, I am quite attached to The Betrothed because Lucia had an impressive stream of consciousness when she had to leave her hometown. This sounded like a farewell to the mountains that protected her place. Specifically, the mountain she is talking about is Resegone Mount which I used to see on my way back to the city where I lived before moving to China. I tattooed Resegone's skyline on my wrist before leaving Italy because I love those mountains. The sight of them is the thing I miss the most about my country.
Morocco by Zineb:
Which books are mandatory reads in your country?
In the light of the mandatory Islamic education, students are required to read the Koran, the central religious book laying the foundations of Islam. Primary schoolers start to learn and recite the Koran’s most important verses. The revelations of God as told to the prophet Muhammad remains a central piece ofArabic literature. As they grow older, the pupils then study the whole manuscript at school, boys and girls alike. The teachers help them understand and interpret the holy teachings.
Why is this book important?
If the teacher is qualified and open-minded, it really helps students to understand our law and rich religion.
How did they affect you?
I think that the Islamic education is even more important today, for it shows young people that Islam is not about fundamentalism.
In the past years, Morocco has totally revised its program of Islamic education with a reform aiming at promoting tolerant Islam and fighting extremism. Islamic education remains a compulsory subject for all students, but the teaching is now contextualized, and the Koranic verses are chosen based on their relevance and the age of the child, according to the new reform. As one teacher mentioned in her class: "Being a good believer does not consist only of practicing prayer and fasting. A Muslim must also look after animals, care for the environment, work for social justice, provide security… By such behavior, he must attract sympathy from other people. This will bring him closer to our God."
The Philippines by Katria:
Which books are mandatory reads in your country?
We have a lot of Western books that are required reading, but for Filipino books all high school students must read Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and its sequel El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed) byJose Rizal.
What are the books about?
The author is the Philippines' national hero and through his writing, he helped fuel the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Noli Me Tangere is a story about the Filipino society during the Spanish colonial period and it details corruption, discrimination and various abuses during that time. It was written in Spanish because Jose Rizal was one of the intellectual elite we called "Ilustrados", which meant they were able to study in Europe, thereby bringing back many ideals of freedom and revolution with them. It was really a rebellious work, especially for the time, and it really makes the reader see how unjust the situation of the Philippines was. Rizal was eventually publicly executed for his works by the Spanish, and his death is what sparked revolutionary leaders to rise up.
Why are these books important?
To set the context, Spain colonized the Philippines until 1898, for over 300 years. They brought us Christianity (which is now the dominant religion in the Philippines) but along with that, many priests committed abuses at the time – which is also why many Filipinos have Spanish blood (their ancestors were priests). Growing up, Rizal's works were always referenced in our Philippine history classes. As they profoundly shaped our national identity, they are mandatory readings in every high school today. Most Filipino students read his books in Filipino now, but in my school many of us had to read it also in English because of the depth of the language, even as a translation.
How did they affect you?
Reading it at face value, I didn't really enjoy it at first. But because we really Study it, we learn about the hidden meanings and play on words and symbolism of the different characters, and it really helps students get an appreciation for it. The characters are also very iconic, and we use some of them in references in Filipino language today.
Russia by Anna:
Which books are mandatory reads in your country?
Russian literature that we study at school is not an easy thing. You get long lists of books to read during your vacation and the books themselves are long. We started to study Russian literature from grade 5 (that's 10-11 years old) and we moved in chronological order, from the beginning. This isn't the best concept, I would say (and so would all 5th graders), because the first book you read is Primary Chronicle. Though adapted for a modern reader from the original Old East Slavic book, it doesn't help much. The syntax, the themes, the plots are still intensely hard to comprehend.
You suffer through several more important literary documents from the East Slavs era and 6th grade brings a blessing of foreign literature, which was the focus that year. But with books like Ivanhoe, Dangerous Liaisons, and Don Quixote, it wasn't making life much easier. Seventh grade is a weird period of romanticism, classicism and historic novels, so it pretty much 18th century Russian literature. And when you are done with that, from grade eight you enter the much admired golden age of Russian verse and prose, the glorious 19th century, and you stay there until the winter of 11th grade. Don't get me wrong, Dostoevsky, Saltykov-Shchedrin, and Goncharov are still in my mind the greatest authors of all times, but you just don't have enough experience and care for the passions and pains of anyone but yourself at that age.
How did they affect you?
I look back at our literature classes and I have nothing but gratitude to our overly irritable, unkind teacher. She yelled at us and she never managed to actually explain anything, but she did get us read the damn books. And years later my mind turns back to the lessons and wisdom, and they start to thaw. So... that's the Russian way: Stuff as much as possible in the heads of the kids, while their minds are still fresh. The harvest will take years to wait for, but the poems and novels you suffered through will have their day.
Serbia by Gaga:
Which books are mandatory reads in your country?
Migrations by Miloš Crnjanski is a mandatory reading in high school literature class. This novel is also widely discussed in university courses on Serbian literature.
What is the book about?
Migrations is written in a form of a historical novel - It is set in 1744 during the war between France and Austro-Hungary. There are three main characters: the two brothers Vuk and Arangel, and Dafina, the wife of Vuk. Vuk is in charge of a Serbian regiment that fights on the side of Austro-Hungary, his troupe migrates through bloody, gory fields of war-torn Europe. He tries to survive and to save as many of his men as possible. Vuk is depicted as an active principle, he is in a constant moving, searching and hoping for better days.
His brother, Arangel, lives in the city as a merchant, and he takes care of Dafina and her children. He is a passive principle, staying in the house, lurking and lusting after his sister in law, trying to please and charm her. Dafina is the principle of beauty, a prize to be won by one or another brother, while she herself dreams of a better life, a new life.
Why is this book important?
The novel is set in a historical time, but its beauty and originality lays in its lyrical nature. Migrations transcends the depiction of Serbian suffering during wartime and reaches a level of a universal classic. The book communicates the human traits of seeking, desiring and chasing dreams. The leitmotif of the novel is the title of the first and the last chapter: "Endless blue circle. In it, a star."
How did it affect you?
Migrations is a lyrical and atmospheric novel. It is a deeply moving experience to read. To paraphrase Roland Bartes: The best novels are those where you need to stop in the middle of reading and let your mind wander. Migrations takes you on this kind of enjoyable journey. It is very closely knit with Serbian history but I think the main theme is so universal, it overcomes national characteristics and speaks to everyone.
This article was composed by Emile.
A big thanks to the contributions of Anna, Anteneh, Gaga, Katria, Luis, Sara and Zineb!
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