The Greatest American "Fiction, China" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Fiction

China

The "China" category for books encompasses a wide range of literature that explores the history, culture, politics, and society of China. This includes works of fiction and non-fiction, spanning from ancient times to the present day. Books in this category may delve into topics such as Chinese philosophy, art, cuisine, and language, as well as contemporary issues such as economic development, human rights, and environmental concerns. Overall, the "China" category offers readers a diverse and rich collection of books that provide insight into one of the world's oldest and most complex civilizations.

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  1. 1. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

    This novel tells the story of a poor farmer in rural China, who struggles to survive and prosper. Over time, he manages to build a life for himself and his family, eventually becoming a wealthy landowner. However, his newfound wealth and status lead to a moral decline, as he becomes disconnected from the land that gave him everything. The narrative explores themes of wealth, poverty, and the human connection to the earth.

    The 294th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

    This novel explores the complex relationships between four Chinese-American mothers and their American-born daughters. The narrative switches between the perspectives of the eight women, revealing their pasts, their struggles with cultural identity, and the misunderstandings that have grown between the generations. The mothers, who all experienced hardship in their native China, want their daughters to have better lives and thus push them to excel in America. The daughters, in turn, struggle to reconcile their American surroundings with their Chinese heritage.

    The 300th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

    Set during the Salem Witch Trials in the late 17th century, this play explores the hysteria, deceit, and religious extremism that plague a small Puritan village in Massachusetts. The protagonist, a flawed but essentially good man, is caught in a web of accusations when young girls in the town start displaying strange behavior and accusing others of witchcraft. The ensuing trials reveal not only the dangers of mass hysteria and false accusations, but also the destructive power of societal pressures and the human capacity for both cruelty and heroism.

    The 1218th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Crossings by Chuang Hua

    The novel is a lyrical and fragmented exploration of identity, memory, and displacement, told through the eyes of a Chinese woman who emigrates to the United States. As she navigates her new life, the narrative delves into her past in China and her experiences in various Western countries, revealing the complex interplay between personal history and the broader historical forces at play. The protagonist's journey is marked by a search for belonging and understanding, as she grapples with the cultural and emotional crossings that define her existence. Through poetic prose, the book examines themes of alienation, the impact of war, and the quest for self amidst the tumult of the 20th century.

    The 3462nd Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Daughter Of Earth by Agnes Smedley

    The book is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows the life of Marie Rogers, a woman born to a poor, rural American family at the turn of the 20th century. It explores her struggles with poverty, gender inequality, and political awakening as she moves from the American Midwest to the West Coast and eventually to international locations. The protagonist's journey is marked by her involvement in the labor and feminist movements, her complex relationships with men, and her unyielding quest for personal and social liberation. The narrative delves into themes of class struggle, identity, and the intersection of personal and political realities, offering a raw and poignant look at the challenges faced by women and the working class in the early 1900s.

    The 3462nd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Pavilion Of Women by Pearl S. Buck

    The novel presents the story of a wealthy Chinese woman who, upon reaching her 40th birthday, decides to change the course of her life. She arranges a concubine for her husband to take over her marital duties and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and liberation. Throughout the narrative, she explores the constraints of traditional roles and the possibilities of intellectual and spiritual freedom, forming a deep connection with a foreign missionary. This relationship challenges her beliefs and the societal norms of the time, leading her to question the very foundations of her existence and her place in the world.

    The 3462nd Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Creation by Gore Vidal

    The novel is a sweeping historical epic that takes readers on a journey through the ancient world, as seen through the eyes of a fictional Persian diplomat. The protagonist, who serves under King Darius and later his successor Xerxes, engages in philosophical and theological debates with some of the era's most influential figures, including Confucius, Socrates, and the Buddha. His travels and experiences provide a panoramic view of the political and cultural landscapes of the time, exploring the nature of power, belief, and the human condition. The book blends real historical events and personages with a richly imagined narrative, offering a unique perspective on a formative period in human history.

    The 4080th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. World War Z by Max Brooks

    The book is an apocalyptic horror novel presented as a collection of individual accounts in the aftermath of a global pandemic that leads to a catastrophic zombie outbreak. Through interviews with survivors from various countries and walks of life, the narrative unfolds the social, political, cultural, and environmental implications of the zombie crisis, known as World War Z. The personal stories explore the widespread panic, the collapse and resurgence of governments, military strategies employed to combat the undead, and the human resilience in the face of a decimated world. The novel serves as a critique of societal responses to disasters and a commentary on the human condition.

    The 4870th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck

    The book tells the story of a small coastal town in Northern Europe that is occupied by an invading, unnamed army. The town's mayor, a central figure in the story, attempts to maintain order and dignity in the face of the occupation, while the townspeople begin to form a resistance against the invaders. The narrative explores the tensions and moral complexities of war, occupation, and resistance, as well as the human capacity for dignity and bravery under oppressive circumstances.

    The 4916th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Ties That Bind, Ties That Break by Lensey Namioka

    Set in early 20th century China, the book tells the story of a young girl who challenges societal norms by refusing to have her feet bound, a painful tradition that symbolizes beauty and status. This decision leads to her being disowned by her family. She then becomes a servant for a wealthy family, where she learns English and eventually moves to America. The novel explores themes of tradition, gender roles, and the struggle for individuality and freedom.

    The 5007th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

    This novel explores the complex relationship between a Chinese-American woman and her immigrant mother, who is suffering from dementia. As the mother's condition worsens, her daughter discovers a manuscript written in Chinese that reveals her mother's traumatic past and the true identity of her grandmother - a renowned bonesetter in China. The narrative oscillates between contemporary San Francisco and early 20th century China, illustrating the enduring power of family bonds, the weight of cultural heritage, and the profound impact of past events on present lives.

    The 5162nd Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan

    The novel delves into the complex relationship between a Chinese-American woman and her mother, who carries with her the weight of a tumultuous past from her life in China. As the mother finally reveals her harrowing experiences of survival during wartime, secrets of love, loss, and betrayal, the daughter begins to understand the resilience and sacrifices that have shaped her mother's life. Through this unveiling of family history, the novel explores themes of cultural identity, the immigrant experience, and the enduring bonds between mothers and daughters.

    The 5174th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. Typical American by Gish Jen

    The novel follows the journey of a Chinese immigrant who arrives in the United States with the intention of completing his studies before returning home. However, as he settles into American life, he finds himself drifting from his original plans. Along with his sister and wife, he begins to pursue the American Dream, facing the challenges of assimilation, cultural identity, and the pursuit of success. The narrative explores themes of transformation, the immigrant experience, and the complexities of adapting to a new world while grappling with the pull of one's heritage.

    The 5174th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson

    The book is an alternate history novel that explores a world in which the Black Death plague of the 14th century was far more lethal to Europeans, nearly wiping them out. As a result, world history is dramatically reshaped: Islamic and Buddhist societies emerge as the dominant global powers, leading to vastly different technological, cultural, and social developments. The narrative spans several centuries, following a group of characters who are reincarnated into various lives and roles, allowing the reader to experience the evolution of this alternate world through their interconnected stories. The novel delves into themes of history, religion, technology, and human nature, all while imagining a world both familiar and strange, shaped by different forces and ideas than those that have shaped our own history.

    The 6207th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang

    In this dramatic play, an unconventional romance unfolds between a French diplomat and a mysterious Chinese opera singer. The diplomat becomes infatuated with the singer, who he believes to be a woman, only to have his perceptions of love, gender, and cultural identity challenged. As their affair deepens over two decades, the diplomat remains oblivious to the singer's true gender and the political espionage at play. The story, inspired by real events, ultimately explores themes of Orientalism, the fluidity of identity, and the devastating consequences of deception and self-delusion.

    The 6888th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. China Men by Maxine Hong Kingston

    "China Men" is a collection of stories that delve into the lives of Chinese immigrants in America, blending mythology, family history, and cultural heritage. The book explores the struggles, contributions, and identities of these men who left their homeland in search of better opportunities, facing both discrimination and hardship in America. Through a series of poignant narratives, the author captures the complex interplay between personal and collective histories, revealing the deep roots and enduring spirit of the Chinese American community.

    The 6915th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart

    "Bridge of Birds" is a fantasy novel set in ancient China, where a young man named Number Ten Ox sets out to find a cure for a mysterious illness that has befallen the children of his village. Along the way, he enlists the help of a wise and eccentric scholar named Master Li, and together they embark on a series of adventures that take them across the land. Along the way, they encounter gods, demons, and other supernatural beings, all while trying to uncover the truth behind the illness and save the children of the village.

    The 9122nd Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. Severance by Ling Ma

    This novel is a satirical take on the post-apocalyptic genre, blending elements of horror, humor, and social commentary. It tells the story of Candace Chen, a millennial office drone in New York City, who finds herself one of the few survivors of a global pandemic known as Shen Fever. The disease turns its victims into repetitive, predictable creatures stuck in loops of their former routines. As society crumbles around her, Candace joins a group of survivors led by the enigmatic Bob, embarking on a journey to find a new sanctuary. Through Candace's eyes, the narrative explores themes of nostalgia, capitalism, and the search for meaning in a pre- and post-apocalyptic world, all while questioning what it truly means to be alive in a world that's slowly fading away.

    The 9571st Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. The Leavers by Lisa Ko

    The Leavers revolves around the story of a young boy, Deming Guo, whose mother, an undocumented Chinese immigrant, mysteriously disappears one day, leaving him alone in the Bronx. He is later adopted by a pair of well-meaning white professors who rename him Daniel Wilkinson to help him fit into his new life in upstate New York. The story explores his struggle with identity, the concept of home, and the harsh realities of immigration and cultural displacement.

    The 10123rd Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. The Paper Menagerie And Other Stories by Ken Liu

    The collection is an assemblage of speculative fiction stories that explore the nuances of identity, culture, and humanity through a blend of magical realism, science fiction, and fantasy. Each tale delves into complex themes such as the immigrant experience, the intersection of technology and society, and the struggles of individuality versus community expectations. The narratives are woven with a rich tapestry of emotional depth, often drawing from East Asian mythology and history, while also pushing the boundaries of genre to consider the future implications of current human behaviors and innovations. The anthology is celebrated for its lyrical prose and its ability to evoke both introspection and a profound empathy for its varied characters.

    The 11212th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download