The Four Books

In the ninety-ninth district of a sprawling labour camp, the Author, Musician, Scholar, Theologian and Technician - and hundreds just like them - are undergoing Re-education, to restore their revolutionary zeal and credentials. In charge of this process is the Child, who delights in draconian rules, monitoring behaviour and confiscating books. SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2016''One of China''s greatest living authors and fiercest satirists'' GuardianIn the ninety-ninth district of a sprawling labour camp, the Author, Musician, Scholar, Theologian and Technician - and hundreds just like them - are undergoing Re-education, to restore their revolutionary zeal and credentials. In charge of this process is the Child, who delights in draconian rules, monitoring behaviour and confiscating treasured books. But when bad weather arrives, followed by the ‘three bitter years’, the intellectuals are abandoned by the regime and left on their own to survive. Divided into four narratives, The Four Books tells the story of the Great Famine, one of China’s most devastating and controversial periods. WINNER OF THE FRANZ KAFKA PRIZE 2014NOMINATED FOR CZECH AWARD MAGNESIA LITERA 2014HUA ZHONG WORLD CHINESE LITERATURE PRIZE 2013FINALIST FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2013WINNER OF THE HUA ZHONG WORLD CHINESE LITERATURE PRIZE 2013 SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDEPENDENT FOREIGN FICTION PRIZE 2012SHORTLISTED FOR THE PRIX FEMINA ETRANGER 2012SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN ASIAN LITERARY PRIZE 2011WINNER OF THE LAO SHE LITERATURE AWARD 2004WINNER OF THE LU XUN AWARD 1997