Books set in China

[melrose]

Hi
can anyone recommend a good book set in China for a book club read? My book club are following the travels of one of our membesr who is travelling round the world and China is the next stop.

Aimee Liu's 'cloud mountain'.

Empire of the Sun by JG Ballard. Wartime China from an expat British perspective.

The Drink and Dream Tea House by Justin Hill (2002?), its a bit, "meh" but will give you plenty to talk about especially the more misogynistic elements.

Definitely The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices by Xinran. Incredible book.

Raise the Red Lantern by Su Tong is an interesting book. I read it a long time ago, but if memory serves it is quite a slim book with a lot to think/talk about.

I'd second River Town, absolutely unputdownable. Peter Hessler's other two books about China are also a really good read, but that's probably the best one to start with.

The Vagrants by Yiyun Li
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers - short stories by the same.

Have you tried The Painted Veil by W Somerset Maughn? Its a great love story, and as I remember has quite a lot for book group discussions - its quite quiet and understated, but I loved it. It's also been made into a really good, if a little depressing, film if you are interested. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Painted_Veil_(novel)
hope this helps!

Also want to cast my vote for The Vagrants by Yiyun Li. It's an amazing book.

The Good Earth - Pearl Buck. Already mentioned above but wanted to second it.

I've read some of the Amy Tan books and enjoyed them, but The Good Earth has really stayed with me.

Dream of Ding Village - Yan Lanke

I appreciate the time may have passed now but...another recommendation for ma jian here. 'Beijing Coma' is wonderful but also 'The Noodle Maker' and "Red Dust'.

Raise the Red Lantern was also a good film I think?

Sky Burial by Xinran is nonfiction, but similar to others mentioned above I think it is still okay for a book club.