In 2012, Chinese president Xi Jinping proclaimed his vision of a “China Dream.” In 2019, dissident author Ma Jian presents us with a “China Nightmare” in his latest novel. China Dream is a satirical take on the controlling regime in the author’s homeland, featuring dictatorial bureaucrats, state surveillance and the demolition of entire villages in favor of economic development. Ma is no stranger to critiquing the Chinese Communist Party; his books were permanently banned from the country after his debut collection of short stories was released in 1987, and the writer himself was banned in 2013. Teaming up with fellow dissident Ai Weiwei, who created the book’s jacket artwork, Ma demonstrates once more the power of fiction to speak truth to those who would silence their critics.
Buy now: China Dream