1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows

Ai Weiwei is one of the world's most famous artists and activists. In 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows, he tells a century-long epic tale of China through the story of his own extraordinary life and the legacy of his father, Ai Qing, the nation's most celebrated poet.

A family story and the tale of a nation, Ai Weiwei weaves a narrative through the story of his own life and that of his father. From the Cultural Revolution to the modern-day Chinese Communist Party, this is an exploration of China's past 100 years.

'Engrossing...a remarkable story' - Sunday Times

Through the sweeping lens of his own and his father's life, Ai Weiwei recounts a childhood spent in desolate exile after his father fell foul of the authorities. He details his move to America as a young man, his return to China, and his rise from unknown artist to international rights activist and art-world superstar. This is an extraordinary account of how his work has been shaped by living under a totalitarian regime.

It is the story of a father and a son, of exceptional creativity and passionate belief, showing how two indomitable spirits enabled the world to understand their country.

'A story of inherited resilience and self-determination' - Observer

'A majestic and exquisitely serious masterpiece about his China... One of the great voices of our time' - Andrew Solomon

'Intimate, unflinching...an instant classic' - Evan Osnos, author of Age of Ambition