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20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth

By Xiaolu Guo
Series: Vintage Heroines
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3.67 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo tells the story of Fenfang, a young woman from a rural village in China, who moves to Beijing in search of a more fulfilling life. The narrative follows her trials and tribulations as she navigates the world of filmmaking and explores the complexities of life in a rapidly changing city. Told through vivid snapshots, Fenfang's journey highlights themes of ambition, identity, and the pursuit of dreams.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in vivid storytelling that captures the vibrant yet challenging landscapes of contemporary Chinese youth. It offers a raw and humorous insight into the quest for identity and purpose amidst cultural and societal changes. The narrative is both moving and entertaining, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate exploring different cultural contexts through fiction.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Meet ten of literature's most iconic heroines, jacketed in bold portraits by female photographers from around the world.

20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth tells the story of Fenfang, who is determined to carve out a life more independent than her provincial roots. She secures a job as a film extra in Beijing, but living a modern life is not as easy as it appears in this tumultuous, messy city.

Grappling with the narrow world of cinema, an outworn Communist regime, and the city's far-from-progressive attitudes toward women, the charismatic Fenfang finds her true freedom in the one place she never expected.

20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth is a sparkling and wry coming-of-age story about the changing identity of women in contemporary China.

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  • 20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth
    Meet ten of literature's most iconic heroines, jacketed in bold portraits by female photographers from around the world. 20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth tells the story of Fenfang, who is determined to carve out a life more independent than her provincial roots. She secures a job as a film extra in Beijing, but living a modern life is not...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo is appreciated for its vivid portrayal of a young woman's journey in modern Beijing. Readers often commend its engaging narrative style and insightful exploration of themes like identity and aspiration. The book's unique structure and the protagonist's compelling voice have drawn positive responses, adding to its reputation as a fresh perspective on contemporary Chinese life.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784877446

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 October 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 182g

Pages: 224

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction Penguin Books Series: Vintage Heroines Xiaolu Guo

About the Author

Xiaolu Guo was born in China. She published six books before moving to Britain in 2002. Her books include- Village of Stone, shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize; A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers, shortlisted for the Orange Prize; and I Am China. Her recent memoir, Once Upon a Time in the East, won the National Book Critics Circle Award, was shortlisted for the Costa Biography Award and the Rathbones Folio Prize 2018. It was a Sunday Times Book of the Year. Her most recent novel A Lover's Discourse was shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize 2020. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a visiting professor at the Free University in Berlin.

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  • Pre-order
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    After decades living in England, writer and filmmaker Xiaolu Guo travelled to her native China with her daughter. Her objective was twofold: to show her eleven-year-old where she came from, and to discover what remained of an enigmatic period that had long fascinated her: the magnificent and cosmopolitan Tang Dynasty (618-907). As they wander through the great cities of Xi'an...
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