This Generation

In this rare glimpse behind the Great Firewall, China’s bestselling writer and hero of a new generation waxes lyrical about life and reality in the world’s most populous country. Among people who follow Chinese affairs, Han Han is as controversial as Ai Weiwei and Liu Xiaobo—an irreverent singer, sports celebrity, and satirist whose brilliant blogs and books have made him acelebrity. Now, with this collection of his essays, Americans can appreciate the range of this rising literary star and get a fascinating trip through Chinese culture. This Generation gathers essays and blogs dating from 2006 to the present, telling the story of modern China through Han Han’s unique perspective. Writing on topics as diverse as racing, whoring, the Beijing Olympics, and how to be a patriot, he offers a funny and illuminating trip through a complex nation that most Westerners view as marching in lockstep. As much a millennial time capsule as an entertaining and invaluable way for English-readers to understand our rising Eastern partner and rival, This Generation introduces a dazzling talent to American shores.