To Live

A Novel

By: Yu Hua, Michael Berry

Narrated by: David Shih

From the author of Brothers and China in Ten Words: this celebrated contemporary classic of Chinese literature was also adapted for film by Zhang Yimou.

This searing novel, originally banned in China but later named one of that nation's most influential books, portrays one man's transformation from the spoiled son of a landlord to a kindhearted peasant. After squandering his family's fortune in gambling dens and brothels, the young, deeply penitent Fugui settles down to do the honest work of a farmer. Forced by the Nationalist Army to leave behind his family, he witnesses the horrors and privations of the Civil War, only to return years later to face a string of hardships brought on by the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. Left with an ox as the companion of his final years, Fugui stands as a model of gritty authenticity, buoyed by his appreciation for life in this narrative of humbling power.

©1993 Yu Hua; translation and afterword copyright 2003 by Michael Berry (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This engaging story is one that readers won't soon forget." ( Library Journal)

Heartbreaking tale of peasant life

Fuqui's journey from spoiled rich boy, to kind-hearted peasant. Very moving and realistic characters, and beautiful prose from Yu Hua. Classic novel.

sad and poignant

I found out about this book when I was researching Asian authors. I found it on Audible narrated by David Shih so listened to it. Yu Hua was born in 1960 and has many books to his credit. This book, while it takes place during modern Chinese history of the 1900s, has a timeless ancient feel to it. We follow the life of Fugui who starts out wealthy, but through actions and errors loses it all. That is just the beginning for we follow Fugui through his whole difficult life. China is in a constant state of upheaval and regime change. It affects everyone, including him and his family. There are a great many sorrows in this book so be forewarned that it could be an emotional read. There are moments of humor as well, just like in a Shakespearean tragedy. It feels like an important twentieth century Chinese book. I’m interested in other books by Yu Hua and glad that I got to this one.

Wow!

A Chinese friend recommended that I read this book. She told me that it made her cry. I had read Yu Hua’s China in Ten Words, and I learned a great deal from it. I took her recommendation and bought the book.
I’m glad I did! This gave me more insight on China’s recent history. While a Marine does not cry, it did make this old jarhead’s eyes sweat!
The translation is very well written and the audio quality is very good!

A very touching story

The story is worth reading to get to know better some of the history and traditions of modern China. The story is touching, and makes one think about the values of life. Excellent book that makes me keep reading and reading.

Survival

Is survival living and is that the purpose of life? Is a human life no different than a an animal?

remarkable reader

remarkable reader. remarkable story. long live the people of China!

China in Ten Words is also worth listening to.

Good Chinese Story

I appreciate the narrator's voice and tone changes for the different characters, and I think his Chinese name pronunciation is also quite accurate and appropriate, even though it's in English.

I don't appreciate all of the language and didn't realize how much death was to be found in the story, yet I can understand it is likely not far off from what that time period may have been like.

Made Me Cry More than Any Other Book

"To Live" is a beautiful story. It's very sad, too. It's an odyssey through 20th-Century Chinese history. I couldn't put it down (I listened to the whole thing in a day). The characters are well-developed and the narration pulls you in. A teacher showed my class the movie in school and that led me to the book.