Miss Chopsticks

Xinran was born in Beijing in 1958 and was a successful journalist and radio presenter in China. In 1997 she moved to London, where she began work on her seminal book about Chinese women's lives, The Good Women of China. Since then she has written a regular column for the Guardian; appeared frequently on radio and TV and has published the acclaimed Sky Burial; the novel Miss Chopsticks; the groundbreaking book of oral history China Witness; a book of her Guardian columns called What the Chinese Don't Eat and Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother, about mothers and their lost daughters. She lives in London but travels regularly to China.

"Respect for honour and tradition, wicked humour and a vital social message combine in an appealing yet sometimes shocking read" Guardian "The story remains engrossing, and when Xinran turns her attention to the frenetic streets and history of Nanjing, her own beloved hometown, the prose truly comes to life" Daily Mail "This mood of hope, as both inspiring and ultimately attainable, is what makes Miss Chopsticks such an uplifting read" Financial Times "Xinran's tale will likely play on the mind for years to come" Big Issue "Xinran's skill lies in investigating the universal human thoughts and emotions behind the girls' naivety" Observer