Thousand Years of Good Prayers

Brilliant and original, ‘A Thousand Years of Good Prayers’ introduces a remarkable first collection of stories about China from an author set to become a major literary talent.

Reviews

‘Li’s writing is beautifully spare and controlled.’ The Times
'Yiyun's confidence as a storyteller lends her fiction a traditional air, but there's nothing old fashioned about her perspective…When I've sampled other recent Chinese writing, I've had a sense of western publishers being seduced by the novelty of it all, snapping up authors with dramatic histories and slim talents. Yiyun is the real deal…Yiyun has the talent, the vision and the respect for life's insoluble mysteries to be a truly fine writer. Michel Faber, Guardian
'Great narrative skill…demonstrates that the best way to learn about people in a foreign culture is through good fiction.’ Irish Times
'Li has a remarkable talent for telling the story of the whole of China through apparently insignificant lives.' New Statesman
'These mesmerising stories present a glimpse of modern China more nuanced than any reporter could ever hop to gleam.' Daily Mail
‘Li's moving, engrossing stories are particular in their place…but universal in their themes and their relevance.’ The Observer
'If you have ever wondered what life is like in modern China, but can't afford the airfare and lessons in Mandarin, you should read this book. In fact if you haven't given China a second thought, this is a collection of stories worth reading.’ Impac News