In this captivating collection from the Shaanxi region, considered the cradle of Chinese civilization, twenty disparate and unique voices come together to show a China caught between new-world advancements and old-world traditions. From the homeland of China’s first dynasty and the world-famous terra-cotta warriors, these tales show rugged rural life colliding with fast-paced city life; hollow arranged marriages juxtaposed with torrid forbidden love affairs; and the vanity of newly minted millionaires clashing with the desperation of the poor. Through the eyes of award-winning authors, we see a changing China—from the Cultural Revolution to the country’s infamous one-child policy—giving us a profound look at the evolution of a land that is at once ancient and modern.

‘From that moment onwards, the dog and I both found ourselves incapable of ever cherishing a sense of belonging.’Constantly bickering with her shallow friend Brow, beginning correspondence courses she will never finish, helping sage-like Grandpa Cloud Forest with his mystical healing and stealthily avoiding matrimony with her less-than-impressive fiancé Old Ran, Plum’s life appears to be puttering along what seems like a tediously predictable path. But when the village home she cherishes comes under threat from big city capitalists, she finds herself thrust into a series of adventures with a mercurial rogue called Chivalry.This raucous, and at times achingly poignant tale combines earthy humour, ancient wisdom and thrilling action to highlight the impact of creeping urbanisation on traditional country folk.

Jia Pingwa is one of the best-known and most prolific novelists in contemporary China. The Wild Land brings together a collection of his most celebrated prose essays, each in their first English translation. Delving deep into his diverse preoccupations – fate, art, religion and interpersonal relationships – this richly rewarding anthology gives a fascinating insight into the mind of one of modern Chinese literature’s most revered sons.

In this captivating collection from the Shaanxi region, considered the cradle of Chinese civilization, twenty disparate and unique voices come together to show a China caught between new-world advancements and old-world traditions. From the homeland of China’s first dynasty and the world-famous terra-cotta warriors, these tales show rugged rural life colliding with fast-paced city life; hollow arranged marriages juxtaposed with torrid forbidden love affairs; and the vanity of newly minted millionaires clashing with the desperation of the poor. Through the eyes of award-winning authors, we see a changing China—from the Cultural Revolution to the country’s infamous one-child policy—giving us a profound look at the evolution of a land that is at once ancient and modern.

‘From that moment onwards, the dog and I both found ourselves incapable of ever cherishing a sense of belonging.’Constantly bickering with her shallow friend Brow, beginning correspondence courses she will never finish, helping sage-like Grandpa Cloud Forest with his mystical healing and stealthily avoiding matrimony with her less-than-impressive fiancé Old Ran, Plum’s life appears to be puttering along what seems like a tediously predictable path. But when the village home she cherishes comes under threat from big city capitalists, she finds herself thrust into a series of adventures with a mercurial rogue called Chivalry.This raucous, and at times achingly poignant tale combines earthy humour, ancient wisdom and thrilling action to highlight the impact of creeping urbanisation on traditional country folk.

Jia Pingwa is one of the best-known and most prolific novelists in contemporary China. The Wild Land brings together a collection of his most celebrated prose essays, each in their first English translation. Delving deep into his diverse preoccupations – fate, art, religion and interpersonal relationships – this richly rewarding anthology gives a fascinating insight into the mind of one of modern Chinese literature’s most revered sons.