Books from China

To Live follows Fugui, the son of a wealthy Chinese landowner whose reckless gambling eventually costs his family its fortune. Forced to abandon his privileged lifestyle, Fugui begins a difficult journey through decades of political and social upheaval in twentieth-century China, including the Chinese Civil War, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution. As the country undergoes profound transformations, Fugui and his family struggle to survive poverty, political persecution, and personal tragedy. Told through Fugui’s recollections to a travelling folk singer, the novel offers an intimate portrait of ordinary people caught in the forces of history. Despite repeated losses, Fugui continues to endure, finding meaning in the simple act of living. Yu Hua combines stark realism with moments of dark humour and tenderness, exploring family bonds, resilience, and the fragility of human happiness. Ultimately, To Live is a moving reflection on suffering and survival, suggesting that the determination to continue can itself become a form of courage.