Young China

By: Zak Dychtwald

Narrated by: Zak Dychtwald

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

This program is read by the author.

The author, in his 20s, who is fluent in Chinese, examines the future of China through the lens of the Jiu Ling Hou - the generation born after 1990. 

A close-up look at the Chinese generation born after 1990, exploring through personal encounters how young Chinese feel about everything from money and sex to their government, the West, and China’s shifting role in the world - not to mention their love affair with food, karaoke, and travel. Set primarily in the Eastern 2nd tier city of Suzhou and the budding Western metropolis of Chengdu, the book charts the touchstone issues this young generation faces. From single-child pressure to test-taking madness and the frenzy to buy an apartment as a prerequisite to marriage, from one-night stands to an evolving understanding of family, Young China offers a fascinating portrait of the generation who will define what it means to be Chinese in the modern era. 

Zak Dychtwald was 20 when he first landed in China. He spent years deeply immersed in the culture, learning the language and hanging out with his peers in apartment shares and hostels, on long train rides, and over endless restaurant meals.

©2018 Zak Dychtwald (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

"To make sense of contemporary China, it is crucial to understand the varied aspirations, anxieties, fears and fantasies of the many millions of Chinese - as big a group as the entire populations of some sizeable countries - who were born after the year that soldiers killed protestors near Tiananmen Square. Young China provides an excellent starting point for doing just that." (The Wall Street Journal)

Erudite, enthralling, and engaging!

Mr. Dychtwald's book (elegantly narrated by him) opens a wide window into contemporary China, while at the same time providing relevant historical context. The book is like taking a journey with the author through different regions of China (learning about cuisine, customs, traditions and new trends). The book has great references to places Chengdu. I greatly recommend this book!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Relevant and entertaining

Being a non-mandarin speaking foreigner living in China, this book definitely gives a great perspective on what modern china is through first hand experiences. It only helps to confirm how much is beneath the very superficial image I had of Chinese culture.

The stories are entertaining and filled with interesting facts and realities that I've been missing all along.

The fact that the book is written in the first person and the author is reading it, only helped me to get more involved into the stories.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Highly Recommend!

An insightful & beautifully written piece on the lives — and perspectives — of youth in China.

I could not recommend this book more! I was not able to put it down, and I have already purchased another copy to give as a gift to a friend.

Five stars. Highly recommend!

Awesome

This was a great book. A fascinating insight into the life of youth in China. Plus the authors voice was extremely soothing

Great book. You must read it.

the narration was perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. it help me gets through long work days.

Perfect introduction to modern China

Easy to listen an digest information for people who want a first glimpse in to China and their youth.

Accurate description of young China today

As a young chinese myself, I was strucked by the accurate and vivid telling that speaks the heart of todays young, and the way he touches on some sensitive topics, especially from an young American's perspective, recommand for anyone who want to feel the fast changing vibes of China

The perfect introduction to China

The book does a great job of presentimg the thought processes and daily lifes of modern Chinese citizens. The author manages to tell a captivating story, based on personal experiences, while also reflecting on Chinese society and explaining Chinese cultural intricacies. Listening to this book makes me want to visit China and experience it from first hand!

Insightful and entertaining

Learned and laughed a lot - this was well worth the listen and should be required reading for anyone asking what to expect next from China.