The Middle Kingdom
Published on 15. October 2001
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-00-710288-4 (ISBN)
Description
A lyrical, moving novel of the choices and confusions that face a married woman whose understanding of herself explodes on first contact with the energies of China and a Chinaman.
Grace Hoffmeier is never quite sure where to invest her energies: in her dying marriage to star scientist Walter or in the possible affairs that flare so startlingly before her like fireworks; in her work or in her home; in things or in people; in the past or in the future.
On an eye-opening trip to a China that has ripped itself apart, yet again, at its very heart in Tiananmen Square, Grace finds - with guidance from unexpected quarters - that what you can choose between is not always your choice to make. The real China soon crackles into being before Grace; its fire and light illuminate for her paths old and new, and a new life in a new kingdom.
Grace Hoffmeier is never quite sure where to invest her energies: in her dying marriage to star scientist Walter or in the possible affairs that flare so startlingly before her like fireworks; in her work or in her home; in things or in people; in the past or in the future.
On an eye-opening trip to a China that has ripped itself apart, yet again, at its very heart in Tiananmen Square, Grace finds - with guidance from unexpected quarters - that what you can choose between is not always your choice to make. The real China soon crackles into being before Grace; its fire and light illuminate for her paths old and new, and a new life in a new kingdom.
Reviews / Votes
'An exhilarating book...wonderful and generous insights...Ms Barrett has captured a truly authentic Beijing.' Amy Tan'With "The Middle Kingdom", Andrea Barrett further consolidates her position as one of our most thoughtful chroniclers of contemporary life..."The Middle Kingdom" is another impressive milestone in what promises to be a long and fruitful literary journey by an accomplished American author.' Cleveland Plain Dealer
'Andrea Barrett does not flinch from large subjects, yet her uncanny investigations into human curiosity are sensual and soul-enhancing, and always underlit by splendid intelligence.' Howard Norman, author of 'The Bird Artist'
'Her work stands out for its intelligence...the overall effect is quietly dazzling.' New York Times
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
210 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-710288-4 (9780007102884)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Andrea Barrett lives in Rochester, NY. She is the author of five novels, and two collections of stories, Ship Fever, which won the National Book Award in 1996, and Servants of the Map, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2003.