48 pages 1 hour read

Dai Sijie, Transl. Ina Rilke

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie, translated by Ina Rilke, beautifully captures cultural conflict and personal transformation during China's Cultural Revolution. Praised for lyrical prose and rich themes of literature's power, the novel occasionally faces criticism for lack of depth in character development. Overall, it's a poignant and evocative read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?

Readers who enjoy Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie and translated by Ina Rilke are typically fans of historical fiction with cultural and philosophical depth. This audience is similar to those who appreciate Wild Swans by Jung Chang and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre
Historical Fiction
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Chinese Literature
Themes
Values/Ideas: Literature
Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Life/Time: Coming of Age