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The fallout from China's one-child policy...gripping new novel

11 replies

Corygal · 05/05/2013 11:52

called The Dark Road by Ma Jian, the famous Chinese writer.

Anyone else reading? I can barely put it down to MN in hope someone else is there to talk about it with.

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RiotsNotDiets · 05/05/2013 12:16

It's good then?

Might add it to my list of books to devour read once uni finishes for summer.

OneHandFlapping · 05/05/2013 12:19

May be it'll be out in paerback by then Riots. It's bloody expensive - even the Kindle version is nearly £10.

Corygal · 05/05/2013 18:46

It's a cracker. I broke my key life rule - no hardbacks - for it.

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MTSCostcoChickenFan · 05/05/2013 18:48

I havent read the book but I suspect that its about how there aren't enough 'brides' available for a whole generation of guys.

cornypringle · 06/05/2013 11:54

has anyone read the book about tiananmen square? I've just ordered it from amazon. Can't find my kindle.

Corygal · 06/05/2013 19:21

The Dark Road - the one-child policy book - is about what China does to women - no Mumsnet for them, but a lot of botched sterilisations, 9 month abortions, and fetuses by the roadside. Having said all that, it's not so grim as to be a turn-off, but rather an enthralling read.

Check the Guardian today

Yes I love the previous book! Beijing Coma? you won't regret. Rather funny in places, believe it or not.

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Throughgrittedteeth · 06/05/2013 19:51

That Guardian article is awful

Throughgrittedteeth · 06/05/2013 19:54

Posted too soon.
I'm just so shocked. I know forced abortion and sterilisation isn't anything new but written so plainly like that has made me feel sick. Those poor women Sad

cornypringle · 06/05/2013 19:57

That article is shocking.

I'm really looking forward to reading Beijng Coma and may well have to break my own no hardbacks rule for The Dark Road

cornypringle · 06/05/2013 20:01

throughgrittedteeth - it's heartbreaking isn't it

I remember when ds2 was born 12 years ago there was a photo in the newspaper of a dead baby lying in the gutter in China. People were just stepping over the poor thing.

It really hit home as ds2 was a day old and this poor baby also looked full term. Horrific.

Corygal · 06/05/2013 20:16

It's a major scadal, isn't it, and gendercide to boot.

I wish MN would have Ma Jian on for a webchat - he has young kids himself. He must have been heartbroken doing the research.

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