Desert Rites

A Journey of Struggle, Survival, and Perseverance for Farmers in Rural China

Set in China’s Hexi Corridor, Desert Rites vividly depicts the poverty and misery faced by Lao Shun and his family. The novel presents a panoramic view of rural life in China during the 1990s through the lens of this family, capturing the simple joys, suffering, and hardships endured by that generation of peasants. By exploring the human condition within the context of Chinese agricultural civilization, the book inspires readers to reflect on human nature, life, and destiny, as well as the profound connections between people and between humans and nature—all set against the backdrop of majestic desert scenery and a rich cultural landscape.

The English edition was co-translated by Howard Goldblatt and Sylvia Li-Chun Lin, acclaimed translators of Nobel Prize-winning authors.

The German edition was translated by Hans-Peter Kolb, a student of the famed sinologist Wolfgang Kubin.