Now that you have downloaded your copy of Factory Girls by Leslie Chang, I would like to invite you to hear listen to an NPR (National Public Radio) interview with the author. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95691866
I believe you will find that the interview will provide you with a good sense of the process that the author used to gather information for the book and the many strands of information and insight that she weaved into the book. Additionally, it is wonderful to hear the voice of your author in preparation for her visit on campus in October.
I was struck by the clarity of the voices within Factory Girls. The world of the immigrant worker in China is one that is capturing a great deal of attention within and outside of China. What does it mean to be one of over 150 million migrant workers? How does working in these factories impact the young workers and their families? What are the ethical questions that should be addressed when developing mega factories? What are acceptable working conditions within mega factories? How does culture and tradition impact the lives of these workers? These and many other questions were swirling in my mind as I read Factory Girls. What questions does this book provoke for you? How has this book changed what you thought or felt about the issue of mega factories and the people that work in them? I invite you to add your comments and thoughts here as you blog about Factory Girls.
Kate Conway-Turner, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
