Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
This novel tells the story of two teenage boys sent to a remote mountain village for re-education during China's Cultural Revolution. There, they meet a local tailor's daughter, who becomes their friend and the object of their shared affection. The boys discover a hidden suitcase filled with forbidden Western classics in Chinese translation, and their lives are forever changed. The books not only awaken their passion for literature, but also allow them to educate the Seamstress, ultimately leading to a heartbreaking love triangle and a tale of personal freedom against the odds.
The 1856th greatest book of all time
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This book is on the following lists:
- 40th on Top 100 World Literature Titles (Perfection Learning)
- 568th on Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- The Bigger Read List (English PEN)