- “Dream of the Red Chamber” by Cao Xueqin – This 18th-century novel is regarded as one of China’s greatest literary masterpieces, offering a detailed portrayal of aristocratic life during the Qing dynasty.
- “Water Margin” by Shi Nai’an – Also known as “Outlaws of the Marsh,” this classic 14th-century novel tells the story of a band of rebels and their adventures.
- “Journey to the West” by Wu Cheng’en – This 16th-century novel is a fictionalised account of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s pilgrimage to India, featuring fantastical elements, demons, and mythical creatures.
- “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck – Published in 1931, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the struggles of a Chinese farmer and his family during the early 20th century.
- “Red Sorghum” by Mo Yan – Set during the Sino-Japanese War, this 1986 novel by Nobel laureate Mo Yan explores themes of love, war, and resilience.
- “The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin – This acclaimed science fiction novel, first published in 2006, delves into the mysteries of physics and encounters with an alien civilisation.
- “Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China” by Jung Chang – This memoir recounts the experiences of three generations of Chinese women, offering a personal perspective on China’s turbulent history.
- “Lin Yutang’s Chinatown Family” by Lin Yutang – Published in 1948, this novel explores the lives of a Chinese immigrant family in America, touching upon themes of identity, culture, and assimilation.
- “Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress” by Dai Sijie – Set during China’s Cultural Revolution, this novel tells the story of two friends who discover a hidden stash of Western literature and the transformative power of storytelling.
- “Waiting” by Ha Jin – Set in a Chinese military hospital during the 1960s and ’70s, this novel reflects on love, sacrifice, and the impact of political turmoil on personal lives.
WANDERLIST: Ten famous novels set in China
0
Share.