{"title":"Chongda Cai","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the collection dedicated to the acclaimed author Chongda Cai, a masterful storyteller and insightful essayist whose works delve deeply into the intricacies of personal and cultural identity. Known for his powerful autobiographical narratives, Chongda Cai crafts compelling stories that resonate with readers seeking a profound understanding of the human condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong his notable works is \u003cem\u003eVessel\u003c\/em\u003e, an evocative memoir that has captivated audiences with its honest and vivid portrayal of life’s complexities. This riveting memoir is categorised under Biography \u0026amp; Memoir and captures the essence of Chongda Cai's unique voice—an intersection of personal journey and cultural exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs you explore Chongda Cai’s collection, you will discover a tapestry of narratives that intertwine personal experiences with broader societal themes. His writing not only illuminates the nuances of his own journey but also invites readers to reflect on their perspectives and experiences. Dive into these poignant works and experience the profound insights Chongda Cai has to offer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"vessel-by-chongda-cai-9780063038011","title":"Vessel","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary life in China, and highly recommended for memoir enthusiasts in general.” — \u003cem\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/em\u003e (starred review)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Chongda paints a tantalizing portrait of a changing China in his dazzling English-language debut. \u003cem\u003eVessel\u003c\/em\u003e shines with the bright talent of an excellent storyteller.\" — Publishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn unprecedented and heartfelt memoir that illuminates the lives of rural Chinese workers, offering a portrait of generational strife, family, love, and loss that crosses cultures and time.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCai Chongda spent his childhood in a rural fishing village in Fujian province. When his father — a former communist gang leader turned gas station owner — has a stroke that partially paralyzes him, his responsibilities fall to Cai, his only son.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAssuming his new role as head of the family, Cai toils alongside his mother and older sister to pay the medical bills that have become a part of a rapidly changing Chinese society. As Cai works his way through university and moves to Beijing, eventually becoming the editorial director of GQ China, he finds his life increasingly at odds with the family he supports but has left behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLike \u003cem\u003eThe Glass Castle\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eHillbilly Elegy\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eVessel\u003c\/em\u003e neither romanticizes nor condemns the people and circumstances that shaped a young man’s life, but instead offers a way forward, revealing how tradition can enrich modern life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTranslated from the Chinese by Dylan Levi King\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46556716925164,"sku":"9780063038011","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11584213482210.jpg?v=1750165911"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/chongda-cai.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}