You Say You Want A Revolution? By Amy C. Murphy IN LORRAINE LACHS' first novel, Flowers for Mei-Ling, she takes the words of the Beatles' song "Revolution" to heart. The questioning impulse behind the lyrics parallels the purpose Lachs defines and develops through her novel: to consider not only the efficacy of revolutionary endeavors, but also the cost, often a personal one, of maintaining civilizations and the status quo they represent. By developing the history of her character, Mei-Ling Wang, Lachs manifests a subtle critique of both revolutionary aims and the preservation of socioeconomic systems. Through the experiences of Mei-Ling and the other characters in her novel, Lachs shows