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Liu Xinwu
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The Wedding Party Paperback – November 16, 2021

by Liu Xinwu (Author), Jeremy Tiang (Translator)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 101 ratings
See all formats and editions
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In this sprawling, award-winning novel, celebrated Chinese writer Liu Xinwu cordially invites you to an epic, riotous, and moving neighborhood feast.

On a December morning in 1982, the courtyard of a Beijing siheyuan―a lively quadrangle of homes―begins to stir. Auntie Xue’s son Jiyue is getting married today, and she is determined to make the day a triumph. Despite Jiyue’s woeful ignorance in matters of the heart―and the body. Despite a chef in training tasked with the onerous responsibility of preparing the banquet. With a cross-generational multitude of guests, from anxious family members to a fretful bridal party―not to mention exasperating friends, interfering neighbors, and wedding crashers―what will the day ahead bring?

Set at a pivotal point after the turmoil of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Liu Xinwu’s tale weaves together a rich tapestry of characters, intertwined lives, and stories within stories. The Wedding Party is a touching, hilarious portrait of life in this singular city, all packed into a Beijing courtyard on a single day that manages to be both perfectly normal and utterly extraordinary at the same time.

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  1. Print length
    399 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    November 16, 2021
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1542044790
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1542044790
  7. See all details
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Editorial Reviews

Review

A New York Times Globetrotting Pick!

“This novel introduces readers to the boisterous milieu of a siheyuan, one of Beijing’s traditional multifamily courtyard residences, via the story of the Xue family’s wedding banquet…A lovingly rendered portrait of a city and its inhabitants, the novel is also an act of preservation.” ―The New Yorker

“The novel’s heart lies with quiet, passionately competent chef Xichun, whose cooking never falters and who never loses sight of his and others’ humanity. A deep immersion in everyday life in Beijing after the Cultural Revolution.” ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Liu’s impressive U.S. debut centers on a day in December 1982 and the residents of a historical residence in Beijing…Visitors and wedding crashers stop by throughout the day, and the author does a fantastic job of unfurling each character’s inner life, as well as the backstories and motivations of other residents…This glimpse of the recent past is a treat.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Prominent Chinese writer Liu jumps between these quirky and hilarious individuals, at the same time depicting the lingering impacts of the Chinese Cultural Revolution and exploring the fusion of human history and destiny in a world of uncertainty.” ―Booklist

“Expertly translated by Singaporean writer and editor, Jeremy Tiang, The Wedding Party asserts itself as a deeply personal introspection into the state of human relationships and what it means to be Chinese in an era of rapid modernization.” ―Asia Media International

“There is something in the combination of social comment, the melding of sympathy and the satire, the gentle humor, the focus on and acceptance of human foibles that reminds one of Russian writers, perhaps Gogol. But any good writer needs a good translator and Liu Xinwu has been fortunate (as have we) to have one in Jeremy Tiang…The translated work has a distinctive and very appealing voice: observant, kind, wry, knowing, forgiving, optimistic―and yet rollicking and fun-loving. This translation was worth the wait.” ―Asian Review of Books

“The Wedding Party by Liu Xinwu opens a window into a time and place in modern Chinese history that is infinitely fascinating, and it does so with humanity and community at its core…The Wedding Party is a novel that succeeds at painting a picture of ordinary life―giving us a colorful cast of characters, all with detailed stories, motivations, and relationships. Liu writes, and Tiang translates, with humor and love and kindness, and it’s these elements that shine through the many satisfying narrative threads of The Wedding Party.” ―Book Browse

About the Author

Liu Xinwu was born on June 4, 1942, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, and has lived in Beijing since 1950. His short story “The Class Teacher” appeared in People’s Literature magazine in November 1977 and is regarded as the first instance of China’s “scar literature” genre. Liu’s other stories include “I Love Every Green Leaf,” “Black Walls,” “White Teeth,” and “The Wish.” His novellas include Overpass and Little Dunzi. He is also the author of the novel The Wedding Party, winner of the Mao Dun Literature Prize. He has also written many essays and has been an architectural critic. His research into the classical Chinese novels The Golden Lotus and Dream of the Red Chamber has been very influential. From 1987 to 1989, he was the editor in chief of People’s Literature.

Jeremy Tiang has translated novels by Yan Ge, Zhang Yueran, Yeng Pway Ngon, Chan Ho-Kei, Li Er, Lo Yi-Chin, and Geling Yan. He also writes and translates plays. His novel State of Emergency won the Singapore Literature Prize in 2018. Tiang is also the author of a short story collection, It Never Rains on National Day. He lives in New York City. For more information, visit www.jeremytiang.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Crossing (November 16, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 399 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1542044790
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542044790
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 101 ratings

About the author

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Liu Xinwu

Liu Xinwu

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Liu Xinwu was born on June 4, 1942, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, and has lived in Beijing since 1950. His short story “The Class Teacher” appeared in People’s Literature magazine in November 1977 and is regarded as the first instance of China’s “scar literature” genre. Xinwu’s other stories include “I Love Every Green Leaf,” “Black Walls,” “White Teeth,” and “The Wish.” His novellas include Overpass and Little Dunzi. He is also the author of the novel The Wedding Party, winner of the Mao Dun Literature Prize. He has also written many essays and has been an architectural critic. His research into the classical Chinese novels The Golden Lotus and Dream of the Red Chamber has been very influential. From 1987 to 1989, he was the editor in chief of People’s Literature.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
101 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers appreciate the book's historical accuracy and details about Chinese history. They find it an enjoyable read with references to historical people, events, and art. The author provides historical and sociological comments to help the reader orient themselves.

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3 customers mention "Historical accuracy"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book. They find references to historical people, events, and art helpful. The author also inserts historical and sociological comments to help the reader orient.

"Loved the story and all the details about Chinese history as backdrop to small dramas of daily life." Read more

"...action takes place on December 12, 1982 and the author inserts historical and sociological comments to help the reader to orient herself not only in..." Read more

"...Absolutely dripping with Chinese culture and references to historical people, events, and art...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it an entertaining and lovely piece of literature with a great story and background on modern Chinese history.

"Loved the story and all the details about Chinese history as backdrop to small dramas of daily life." Read more

"Very fun read about an important day in the life of a group of post-Cultural Revolution Beijingers...." Read more

"Entertaining eye opener..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Isabella Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Window on daily life in China
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the story and all the details about Chinese history as backdrop to small dramas of daily life.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dot
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining eye opener
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I can't remember what drew me to this novel, but am grateful for whatever it was.

    The translation works beautifully and it's easy to forget you're reading a translated book. But it is the author's style, the richness of detail and the incisive but kind character studies which make this book so readable. It also must be mentioned that the various somewhat alarming heavings of 20th century Chinese history are treated in such a way that they manage to fall into place for the reader and make as much sense as such tumultuous events can in western minds. The action takes place on December 12, 1982 and the author inserts historical and sociological comments to help the reader to orient herself not only in time, but in the (often loony) Chinese Communism thought that informed that time.

    The fact that I gave this four stars is not to say that this novel is in any way average or middle of the road. The docking of a final star is only because the book is not perfect -- rather too much exposition on how the clock tower worked, for instance -- but really, what is perfection?

    This book should be read not only for the bouncy way it carries the reader along, but also for an exceptionally compassionate view of mankind in the whole and individually, and an excellent, painless grounding in 20th century Chinese history.
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  • Jonathan Dotson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very fun read, helps if you know modern Chinese history
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very fun read about an important day in the life of a group of post-Cultural Revolution Beijingers. Each character has quite a robust backstory, all characters are charming in their own ways. Absolutely dripping with Chinese culture and references to historical people, events, and art. While this book can be read by any audience, I believe a lot of the story would be missed if attempted without any sort of background knowledge in Maoist reforms and the changes brought about by the Cultural Revolution. Lovely piece of literature, highly enjoyed it!
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  • Chesney Hoagland-Fuchs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Crafted
    Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I thought of you when I read this quote from "The Wedding Party" by Liu Xinwu, Jeremy Tiang -

    "Any way of living, in all its detail, is a specific form of culture. This doesn’t

    solely consist of literary or artistic creations, but also what people eat or wear, where and how they live."

    This quote from The Wedding Party really captures what I loved about it.

    Siheyuan historic architecture is fascinating on it's own, but as an anchor for this story of China in the years after the Cultural Revolution it provides the reader a place to wander through a treasure trove of characters, art, ideas and culture that would be really hard to access otherwise
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Carol Breslin
    1.0 out of 5 stars Lost in the fragmented plot
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I love to read, and I looked forward to reading The Wedding Party, but I found it too fragmented and too full of names difficult to pronounce and remember. Unfortunately, I lost interest pretty quickly.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Rags
    2.0 out of 5 stars TEDIOUS
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The book was a Book Club read. At first it draws you in and then the characters becomes more and more difficult to follow and the story line tedious.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ramawatar Sharma
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you wish to understand china
    Reviewed in India on January 23, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a good book if someone wants to understand Chinese society and culture through fiction. One can also understand the impacts of communist revolutionary movements on ordinary people of China. Overall, a good window to a closed nation.
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