China in Ten Words

Yu Hua is a renowned Chinese author, best known for his novels, short stories, and essays that offer a critical and often satirical view of modern Chinese history and society. Born in 1960 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Yu Hua grew up during the tumultuous years of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), an experience that has significantly influenced his writing and perspective; it provides several anecdotes in China in Ten Words.

After completing his secondary education, Yu Hua worked as a dentist in a small town in Zhejiang Province from 1977 to 1983. This experience, which involved close interaction with people from various walks of life, provided him with an understanding of the everyday struggles and aspirations of ordinary Chinese citizens. In his early twenties, Yu Hua began his literary career as a writer of short stories and novellas, quickly gaining recognition for his unique style and bold exploration of social issues.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Yu Hua established himself as one of China’s most prominent contemporary authors, with works such as To Live (1993) and Chronicle of a Blood Merchant (1995) earning critical acclaim both in China and internationally. His novels often grapple with the profound transformations that have shaped modern Chinese history, from the Cultural Revolution to the post-Mao era of economic reform and globalization.