{"product_id":"rickshaw-boy-a-novel-by-she-lao-howard-goldblatt-2493g","title":"Rickshaw Boy: A Novel by She Lao, Howard Goldblatt","description":"\u003cp\u003eLao She's great novel.  -The New York Times  A beautiful new translation of the classic Chinese novel from Lao She, one of the most acclaimed and popular Chinese writers of the twentieth century, Rickshaw Boy chronicles the trials and misadventures of a poor Beijing rickshaw driver. Originally published in 1937, Rickshaw Boy-and the power and artistry of Lao She-can now be appreciated by a contemporary American audience.  Editorial Reviews  An impressive novel of an individual struggling against and defeated by a corrupt society. Recommended for readers who enjoy modern tragedies such as Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres. - Library Journal - From the Publisher  This new translation of Lao She's masterpiece of social commentary is a somber tale. Farm boy Xiangzi moves to the big city and works three long years to scrape together money to buy his own rickshaw, but soldiers commandeer his rickshaw for the army. Xiangzi saves up again, but his earnings are stolen when his employer's house is raided for political reasons. He is tricked into marrying the daughter of a rickshaw renter, and she bleeds him dry with her profligate spending. When his wife dies delivering a stillborn child, the burial fees set him back again. Soon, to make ends meet, he must abandon his new love in order to get back on his feet. He finally locates a steady rickshaw gig and returns for her, only to find unbearable tragedy. Beaten, Xiangzi begins to fade away, losing his health, livelihood, and drive to excel. The reader feels tremendous sympathy for Xiangzi, even as the book comes to its inevitable conclusion. Verdict This is an impressive novel of an individual struggling against and defeated by a corrupt society. Recommended for readers who enjoy modern tragedies such as Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres.-Amy Ford, St. Mary's Cty. Lib., Lexington Park, MD  (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. - Library Journal\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Book Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41830915473482,"sku":"2493g","price":8.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/9101\/8826\/files\/2493g_d1bf71a1-e11c-45c5-8a67-d48c0de47ef5.jpg?v=1764459924","url":"https:\/\/www.bookexpress.nz\/products\/rickshaw-boy-a-novel-by-she-lao-howard-goldblatt-2493g","provider":"Book Express","version":"1.0","type":"link"}