Title
A Private Life (Weatherhead Books on Asia),Used
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
From one of China's most celebrated contemporary novelists comes this riveting tale of a young woman's emotional and sexual awakening. Set in the turbulent decades of the Cultural Revolution and the Tian'anmen Square incident, A Private Life exposes the complex and fantastical inner life of a young woman growing up during a time of intense social and political upheaval.At the age of twentysix, Ni Niuniu has come to accept pain and loss. She has suffered the death of her mother and a close friend and neighbor, Mrs. Ho. She has long been estranged from her tyrannical father, while her boyfrienda brilliant and handsome poet named Yin Nanwas forced to flee the country. She has survived a disturbing affair with a former teacher, a mental breakdown that left her in a mental institution for two years, and a stray bullet that tore through the flesh of her left leg. Now living in complete seclusion, Niuniu shuns a world that seems incapable of accepting her and instead spends her days wandering in vivid, dreamlike reveries where her fractured recollections and wild fantasies merge with her inescapable feelings of melancholy and loneliness. Yet this eccentric young womancaught between the disappearing traditions of the past and a modernizing Beijing, a flood of memories and an unknowable future, her chosen solitude and her irrepressible longingdiscovers strength and independence through writing, which transforms her flight from the hypocrisy of urban life into a journey of selfrealization and rebirth.First published in 1996 to widespread critical acclaim, Chen Ran's controversial debut novel is a lyrical meditation on memory, sexuality, femininity, and the often arbitrary distinctions between madness and sanity, alienation and belonging, nature and society. As Chen leads the reader deep into the psyche of Ni Niuniuinto her innermost secrets and sexual desiresthe borders separating narrator and protagonist, writer and subject dissolve, exposing the shared aspects of human existence that transcend geographical and cultural differences.
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⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
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Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is 'A Private Life' about? A: 'A Private Life' is a novel by Chen Ran that explores the emotional and sexual awakening of a young woman named Ni Niuniu during China's Cultural Revolution and the Tiananmen Square incident.
- Q: Who is the author of 'A Private Life'? A: The author of 'A Private Life' is Chen Ran, a celebrated contemporary novelist from China.
- Q: What themes are explored in 'A Private Life'? A: The novel delves into themes of memory, sexuality, femininity, and the complexities of alienation and belonging within a changing society.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'A Private Life'? A: 'A Private Life' was first published on May 12, 2004.
- Q: What is the format of 'A Private Life'? A: 'A Private Life' is available in hardcover format, making it a durable addition to your bookshelf.
- Q: How many pages does 'A Private Life' have? A: 'A Private Life' contains a total of 256 pages.
- Q: Is 'A Private Life' suitable for readers interested in Asian literature? A: Yes, 'A Private Life' is an excellent choice for readers interested in Asian literature, particularly those looking to explore contemporary Chinese narratives.
- Q: What kind of reader might enjoy 'A Private Life'? A: Readers who appreciate deep character studies, explorations of personal and societal struggles, and evocative prose will likely enjoy 'A Private Life'.
- Q: What are the main character's challenges in 'A Private Life'? A: Ni Niuniu faces several challenges, including loss, estrangement from family, mental health struggles, and the search for identity amidst societal upheaval.
- Q: Is 'A Private Life' critically acclaimed? A: 'A Private Life' received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, praised for its lyrical writing and profound insights into the human experience.