A Pathétique Memoir for the Caged Children is an ambitious, highly engaging, dynamic work - full of interesting plays in complexities and cares. The scope of this collection is wide. It comes in three sections: History and Poetry, Life and Poetry, Culture and Poetry. The effect is rich, highly varied, far reaching, political, international, historical, contemporary, universal, personal - by turns light and tender and sad and joyful - and an arresting blending of Chinese and American. -Michael Whelan, Poet and Chair Literary Events Committee, Arts Club of Washington