Overview

An unprecedented, intimate account of the lives of modern Chinese women, told by the women themselves--true stories of the political and personal upheavals they have endured in their chaotic and repressive society For eight groundbreaking years, Xinran hosted a radio program in China during which she invited women to call in and talk about themselves. Broadcast every evening, Words on the Night Breeze became famous throughout the country for its unflinching portrayal of what it meant to be a woman in modern China. Centuries of obedience to their fathers, husbands, and sons, followed by years of fear under Communism, had made women terrified of talking openly about their feelings. Xinran won their trust and, through her compassion and ability to listen, became the first woman to hear their true stories. This unforgettable book is the story of how Xinran negotiated the minefield of restrictions imposed on Chinese journalists to reach out to women across the country. Through the vivid intimacy of her writing, these women confide in the listener, sharing their deepest secrets. Whether they are the privileged wives of party leaders or peasants in a forgotten corner of the countryside, they tell of almost inconceivable suffering: forced marriages, sexual abuse, separation of parents from their children, extreme poverty. But they also talk about love--about how, despite cruelty, despite politics, the urge to nurture and cherish remains. Their stories changed Xinran's understanding of China forever. Her book will reveal the lives of Chinese women to the West as never before.

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Reviews

The Good Women of China is a moving compilation of stories that will bring even the hardest of hearts to tears. -- Booklist An amazing glimpse into [China's] culture...Xinran leaves us wanting to know more about ordinary Chinese women...women like herself. -- Deseret News Groundbreaking...This intimate record reads like an act of defiance, and the unvarnished prose allows each story to stand as testimony. -- The New Yorker Moving...Horrific...Nothing short of heartbreaking...There's no denying The Good Women of China is an important book. -- Time Asia The power of [Xinran's] book stems from its simplicity...The often appalling and always moving narratives are based on real scenes...An honest book. -- Sunday Telegraph (UK) These are stories that must be read. The lives of these anonymous women are so moving that when I finished reading their stories I felt my soul had been altered. This is a rare collection of testimonies that show the scale of our humanity, both good and bad, wondrous and horrific. The voices are poetic in their simplicity and honesty. -- Amy Tan, New York Times bestselling author These are stories that must be read...The voices are poetic in their simplicity and honesty. -- Amy Tan, New York Times bestselling author

Author Information

Xinran was born in Beijing in 1958. In 1997 she moved to London. This is her first book.

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