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To Live: A Novel Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 718 ratings

Originally banned in China but later named one of that nation’s most influential books, a searing novel that portrays one man’s transformation from the spoiled son of a landlord to a kindhearted peasant. 

“A work of astounding emotional power.” —Dai Sijie, author of
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

From the author of
Brothers and China in Ten Words: this celebrated contemporary classic of Chinese literature was also adapted for film by Zhang Yimou. After squandering his family’s fortune in gambling dens and brothels, the young, deeply penitent Fugui settles down to do the honest work of a farmer. Forced by the Nationalist Army to leave behind his family, he witnesses the horrors and privations of the Civil War, only to return years later to face a string of hardships brought on by the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. Left with an ox as the companion of his final years, Fugui stands as a model of gritty authenticity, buoyed by his appreciation for life in this narrative of humbling power.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

One man's mythically tragic life encapsulates the horrors of communist China in this nearly overpowering yet vivifying saga. Initially banned in China, internationally acclaimed, made into an award-winning movie, and newly translated into English, Yu Hua's close-to-the-bone tale portrays the reckless son of a wealthy landowner who gambles away the family fortune. Fugui is humbled by the loyalty of his loved ones, and comes to accept the severe hardships of his altered life, but fate has only begun its brutal work. Fugui is forcibly conscripted into the army, then, barely alive upon his release, struggles with so-called land reform and the ensuing famine. As Fugui's family die terrible, often bitterly ironic deaths and this stoic survivor makes do with less and less in an increasingly surreal world, Yu Hua, writing with masterful simplicity about the unfathomable complexities of existence, tells a galvanizing story that is at once a shattering indictment of China's ongoing nightmare and testimony to the tenacity of the human spirit. A translation of Yu Hua's Chronicle of a Blood Merchant is on the way. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“A work of astounding emotional power.” —Dai Sijie, author of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

“Yu Hua is the most profound voice coming out of China today.
To Live reaches not only into the very essence of China and the Chinese people but into the blood and bones core of what it means to be a human being.” —Lisa See, author of On Gold Mountain

“A Chinese Book of Job, To Live is a heart-wrenching saga, written with beauty, defiance, and hope. Yu Hua’s books deserve a place on the highest shelf.” —Wang Ping, author of Aching for Beauty and Foreign Devil

“A major contemporary novelist, Yu Hua writes with a cold eye but a warm heart. His novels are ingeniously structured and exude a mythical aura. Though unmistakably Chinese, they are universally resonant.” —Ha Jin, author of Waiting

“A book of subtle power and poignant drama. You love Yu Hua’s characters because they are flawed, vibrant, soulful, and real: you celebrate with them the small wonders of life, and feel their pain as they overcome tragedy. Ultimately,
To Live is a redemptive story of the human spirit, one that is universal in its emotional depth.” —Terrence Cheng, author of Sons of Heaven

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000XU8DU6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anchor (December 18, 2007)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 18, 2007
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 557 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 246 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 718 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
718 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story interesting and heartbreaking. They praise the pacing, character development, and perspective. The book provides a realistic portrayal of life during the establishment of the People's Republic. However, some readers feel the language is simple and profound, while others feel it seems awkward or stilted at times.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

39 customers mention "Story quality"32 positive7 negative

Customers find the story engaging. They describe it as interesting, beautiful, poignant, and amazing. The narrator's personal perspective makes the story more personal. Readers appreciate the lessons learned from the story, including how politics affects personal lives. While the story is simple, it goes to the core of life and reflects on family and love.

"...Earth" by Pearl Buck, but with Fugui as the narrator the story becomes even more personal...." Read more

"...in the novel that are seen in our own society. Overall, a most excellent story that communicates the idea that China, Chinese and Chinese..." Read more

"...One of the best lessons in the story, in my opinion, is very Taoist...." Read more

"...is one of those novels that wring you out to dry, yet you love every moment of suffering...." Read more

17 customers mention "Heartbreaking story"14 positive3 negative

Customers enjoyed the heartbreaking story. They found it sweet, sad, and well-written. The book had some witty and funny parts, with comedic reliefs throughout. Readers found the translation hilarious yet touching, making it worth reading.

"I enjoyed the sad story since it was written to entertain, it did its job...." Read more

"...It puts things in perspective. Well worth the read. The author has made it in my list of top 10 authors...." Read more

"...The writing style is a wonderful mixture of deadpan humor and heartfelt emotionalism and matter-of-fact acceptance of the tragic and the absurd...." Read more

"is a poor man's life. This book made me laugh and it made me cry. In the end as l finished it, it made me smile." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has good pacing and is engaging. They describe it as credible and moving. The book is described as high quality, with solid binding and no writing on the pages. While fiction, it's based on facts.

"...who accepts the life that was handed him; there is no whining, no second guessing, none of our Western world's internal angst and second guessing...." Read more

"...Although it is fiction, it is based on facts. If you want an insight into China during the 1950's - 1970's, this book will give you many details." Read more

"Binding was solid and there was no writing on the pages of the text. A dog ear or two but otherwise condition was as expected." Read more

"Written in gripping and very vivid manner a very credible and moving tale of the common man during China's most difficult decades during the 20th..." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters and their struggles. They find the portrayal of life during the establishment of the People realistic. The main character's attitude is exemplary in the face of hardship and loss.

"...I love the story of hardship the main character faces and how he deals with his circumstances...." Read more

"...I loved all the characters...." Read more

"This book gives a realistic portrayal of life during the establishment of the People's Republic of China, 1950's famine, and the Cultural Revolution...." Read more

"...Despite living a life full of hardship and loss, the attitude he maintains is exemplary...." Read more

4 customers mention "Heartfelt story"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the story moving and credible. They appreciate the author's ability to tell the tale through various political events. The book contains a mix of humor and emotionalism, with a mixture of deadpan humor and matter-of-factness.

"...The writing style is a wonderful mixture of deadpan humor and heartfelt emotionalism and matter-of-fact acceptance of the tragic and the absurd...." Read more

"...I think I would consider it historical fiction. The narrator tells his heartfelt story of good times and bad...." Read more

"...What is even more amazing is that Yu Hua was able to tell this story through the numerous political changes that China underwent in the last sixty..." Read more

"...in gripping and very vivid manner a very credible and moving tale of the common man during China's most difficult decades during the 20th century...." Read more

3 customers mention "Perspective"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's perspective. They find it provides a window into a different world and insight into the mind and life of a man.

"...It puts things in perspective. Well worth the read. The author has made it in my list of top 10 authors...." Read more

"The work provides insight into the mind and life of a man who, despite several great tragedies, keeps moving forward...." Read more

"...An excellent window into a different world." Read more

9 customers mention "Language"4 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the language. Some find it simple and profound, while others feel the phrasing is awkward or stilted in places. The writing is not smooth and flowy, with typos in almost every sentence.

"...a bit of trouble getting into the book and felt the wording or phrasing seemed awkward in places...." Read more

"...All said, it's very well-written and an easy read." Read more

"...I described it as clunky and give it 4 stars because the writing isn't smooth and flowy (could also be the interpretator)...." Read more

"...The language may be simple, but the story isn't, and the messages delivered aren't either. I loved this book, and am planning to read more by Yu Hua." Read more

A Beautiful Novel!
5 out of 5 stars
A Beautiful Novel!
This novel was written in a very sensitive way and it is difficult how anyone could not be moved by the plight of the peasants and what happens to them over the generations. This novel and Yu Hua's Chronicle of a Blood Merchant are two of the best books I have read recently. To Live was also a fine film. It involves so much: war and suffering, and the horrible lives so many people have actually lived. Well done, a masterpiece!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2012
    Almost unbelievable job of taking the reader into the life of a common man in China when the country was undergoing drastic change. Fugui begins life as a privileged son but his life evolves into one of hardship and sorrow interspersed with tiny drops of hope and joy. The ability of the author to depict the everyday life of the Chinese peasant in the countryside is extraordinary. Despite a different time period, there is some similarity to "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck, but with Fugui as the narrator the story becomes even more personal.

    I must admit I had a bit of trouble getting into the book and felt the wording or phrasing seemed awkward in places. The format of Fugui telling his life story to a man collecting popular folk songs seemed strained. Once into Fugui's story, I was totally immersed into his life. Only once or twice does the listener (the folk song collector) interfere and then it seems so appropriate allowing the reader to see Fugui as another would see him: "the old man's dark face smiling in the sunlight was quite moving. The wrinkles on his face moved about happily." The happiness on Fugui's face tells so much after the reader has heard his life story. In short, this is a look at a man who accepts the life that was handed him; there is no whining, no second guessing, none of our Western world's internal angst and second guessing. It's a good book and one that should be read.
    13 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2018
    This is a beautifully written novel covering the years after 1912 and the revolution that ended the Qing Dynasty through to post-revolution (1949) and the establishment of People’s Republic of China.
    The story unfolds as a “city boy” walks in the rural area, wandering, meeting and talking with the locals. During his travels, he meets an old farmer who tells him his life story. Our wanderer takes on the role of narrator, and intertwines the chapters of a life with breaks where one chapter ends and another chapter begins. It is the narrator that ties all the chapters together into a cohesive whole that describes what it means “To Live” during those turbulent times.
    The story offers insights into human temptations and mistakes we all make, and how politics and revolution affect the non-combatants, perhaps, more so than the combatants.
    The novel offers some deep insights into Chinese society and culture, and the poverty and deprivation that is a consequent of the revolution. I could see some of the same pitfalls in the novel that are seen in our own society.
    Overall, a most excellent story that communicates the idea that China, Chinese and Chinese Culture are not so very different from the United States, and European derived culture.
    I highly recommend if you are interested in Chinese society and culture.
    14 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2019
    I enjoyed the sad story since it was written to entertain, it did its job. The lead character lived a long hard life in a country that undervalues its population. His family was interesting as is his life. This poor man endured a life fraught with losses. This is not a story for everyone, sometimes very sad.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024
    After reading "Brothers", I became curious about this author. To Live is another intense description of the life of a Chinese family over 40 years starting at the end of the war against Japan and going through the various periods that followed. It puts things in perspective. Well worth the read. The author has made it in my list of top 10 authors.

    On a different note, I ordered the book used and as always, I am very satisfied with the quality/appearance of the book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2024
    Teje magistralmente la vida del protagonista y la historia de su país, con una afirmación serena de la vida frente al dolor y la pérdida
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2018
    I read this book in college and wanted to read it again. It was a class on Chinese film and fiction where we would read the book and watch the film that was based off the book. I love the story of hardship the main character faces and how he deals with his circumstances. As I am reading it currently the lessons of the story give me a sense of humility to be greatful for what I have, and I have a sense of being content with the way things are. One of the best lessons in the story, in my opinion, is very Taoist. What seems like a calamity when first experienced may be a blessing in the the long run that could very well be a life saver. I highly recommend this novel to enjoy its wisdom and learn about its time period of Chinese history and culture.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2015
    This is one of those novels that wring you out to dry, yet you love every moment of suffering. And boy, does the author know how to make a guy suffer.

    TO LIVE takes place before, during, and after the Communist takeover of China, but it's not really about that. It's about a guy named Fugui--a sort of guy that you would find anywhere, be it the United States or India or China--who fritters away his wealth in a drunken night of gambling. Hard lessons in humility and capricious luck don't end when he loses his family's land and honor. He gets forcibly drafted into the Nationalist army, faces starvation as he survives the bloody civil war, and tries to endure the long string of tragedies that face him.

    This isn't a book for someone who's looking for a finely drawn piece of artful prose, as the tale is told in a no-nonsense and stotic way as Fugui narrates his life to a journeyman. This isn't a book for one who wants an in-depth portrayal of a man's feelings or thoughts. The downright blase attitude that Fugui has can be downright disturbing at times. If you, however, want a tale of an ordinary man enduring hardships--both of his own and others' doing--this book is for you.
    14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • C_A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gutes Buch
    Reviewed in Germany on November 3, 2024
    Kann ich nur empfehlen
  • Onur
    4.0 out of 5 stars An emotional journey
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 24, 2024
    What are we living for? For the one who take care of us, who loved us and who stay with us? Maybe you don't care about anything or anyone, and it is just you who matters in this world. Maybe nobody give you a chance to care about the one you wanted to live for. There are lots of parameters who affects our lives and give us a destination to hold on. Some of them are give you a tragedy or drama, and some of them give happiness and peaceful stories. This book just give me the awareness of what's important for me and why I shouldn't give up... to live.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful book
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 16, 2021
    very beautiful book. the order came earlier than expected. totally recommend
  • Pedro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Todo OK.
    Reviewed in Spain on July 25, 2021
    Buen estado. Todo OK!
  • Caroline Cheng
    5.0 out of 5 stars I hate reading, but love the book
    Reviewed in Canada on May 31, 2018
    It is the first book that I have finished in English, and the story is so realistic and interesting. I hate reading, but love the book!

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