I wasn’t immediately aware that this was actually my second book by Xiaolu Guo until I began reading it, but from the moment I started, I was captivated by its engaging, crisp writing style.
The novel tells the story of a young woman who leaves behind her rural life, abandoning her home after suffocating among its sweet potato fields, and moves to Beijing in search of a better life. In the sprawling, bustling city, she tries to make a living on its margins, bearing witness to the city’s seedy and chaotic streets. She eventually finds work in the film industry as an extra, makes friends, finds a boyfriend, and even has a fling with a foreigner.
While the novel’s events may seem sparse, in reality, a whole world of creativity is unfolding—through detours into philosophy, film, and introspection. There are fascinating discussions of figures like Tennessee Williams, alongside the vivid and despairing voice of the young woman at its core.
She is struggling to understand love, self-care, and work in a rapidly changing society. We get to witness her development as a woman and an artist: there’s a satisfying character arc.
The novel also offers a unique glimpse into how Chinese society, especially in Beijing, was grappling with its swift modernisation. It examines how individual destinies, caught in the tumult of such a chaotic historical period, are often at the mercy of forces beyond their control.
I think the best parts of this novel are its details: so many beautiful and poignant images and vignettes, moments that feel raw and true and lift off the page. You will be transported you to a hot Beijing grappling with a summer sandstorm or a lonely rural hotel where people cry at night. You will watch a carp head dissolve into a hotpot, go beyond tears, and circle back to hope. A fantastic big city novel up there with other metropolis greats.
One word: alive.
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