Reviews
Engaging. . . . Acutely observed, moving, frequently funny and a perspicacious X-ray of China's zeitgeist., An extraordinary, genre-defying book. . . . Beautifully constructed. . . . Hessler's reportage is vivid., Insightful. . . . Hessler is a wry and witty writer who manages to bring humor even to tense situations., "A remarkable travelogue documenting aspects of a country still little understood." -- Kirkus (starred review) "Everyone in the Western world should read this book." -- Publishers Weekly, (starred review) "Hessler has written a fascinating and frequently moving account of life in modern China." -- Booklist "A brilliant observer with a novelist's ear for character and dialogue, Hessler is both fascinating and funny." -- Entertainment Weekly "Wonderful. . . . Intimate. . . . The book reads like a really good novel." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune "Insightful. . . . Hessler is a wry and witty writer who manages to bring humor even to tense situations." -- Christian Science Monitor "Engaging. . . . Acutely observed, moving, frequently funny and a perspicacious X-ray of China's zeitgeist." -- South China Morning Post "An extraordinary, genre-defying book. . . . Beautifully constructed. . . . Hessler's reportage is vivid." -- Nigel Richardson, The Daily Telegraph, A brilliant observer with a novelist's ear for character and dialogue, Hessler is both fascinating and funny.