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Northern Girls Paperback – January 22, 2014

by Sheng Keyi (Author)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 44 ratings
See all formats and editions
Qian Xiaohong is born into a sleepy Hunan village, where the New China rush towards development is a mere distant rumour. A buxom, naïve sixteen-year-old, she yearns to leave behind hometown scandal, and joins the mass migration to the bustling boomtown of Shenzhen. There, she must navigate dangerous encounters with ruthless bosses, jealous wives, sympathetic hookers, and corrupt policemen as she tries to find her place in the ever-evolving society.
Hardship and tragedy are in no short supply as her journey takes her through a grinding succession of dead end jobs. To help her through this confusing maze, Xiaohong finds solace in the close ties she makes with the other migrant girls – the community of her fellow “northern girls” – who quickly and learn to rely on each other for humour and the enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures.
A beautiful coming of age novel, Northern Girls explores the inner lives of a generation of young, rural Chinese women who embark on life-changing journeys in search of something better.
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Global
  4. Publication date
    January 22, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0670080950
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0670080953
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sheng Keyi was born in Hunan, and her 20s in Shenzhen and her 30s in Beijing. A highly regarded writer central to China’s literary scene, NORTHERN GIRLS will be the first of her full form works to be published in English. Keyi is a regular attendant of international literary festivals.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Global (January 22, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0670080950
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0670080953
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 44 ratings

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
44 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Bill Burrows
5.0 out of 5 stars Shows the drama of life of migrant girls in Chinese cities
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is a novel with a story line that brings you into contact with several memorable characters and revolves around the things women migrants from rural provinces must do to make a living in large Chinese cities today. I'm not a China expert, but the story seems accurate in picturing the hypocrisy of the Communist Party and the way it is perceived by the masses it claims to be liberating. Most of all, though, the reader gets to know these young women and their men and gain insight into daily life in contemporary China.
3 people found this helpful
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Niala
4.0 out of 5 stars What life is like for a worker in Shenzhen
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2015
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This book provides a candid view of what it is like to be on the lower rung of the Chinese economic miracle. In spite of the hardship and occasional tragedy, the author breathes optimism. Indispensable reading to match books on the Chinese economy!
3 people found this helpful
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woodman
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting...and frustrating
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2017
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An interesting read. Sparse story telling with sometimes jarring similes. English is a second language to this writer and it shows. A fleeting touch of magical realism, coupled with the day to day life of working women in China. Our heroine seems to float with questionable morals through this story. Descriptions can be maddeningly vague, detailing in a few sentences what could be stretched out to give the reader an immersion in the culture and environment of the women in this story. All in all I am glad I read it, but would be wary of attempting another by this author.
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Caitlin
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2013
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I loved the symbolism in this novel and its message not just for women in China, but for women everywhere.
6 people found this helpful
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Anonymous
4.0 out of 5 stars Worth a Read
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2015
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My first direct translation of modern Chinese literature. I thought its narrative of life for the migrant factory workers was an eye-opener.
3 people found this helpful
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Em
5.0 out of 5 stars Very compelling
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2018
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A good read for anyone
One person found this helpful
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B. Mackey
1.0 out of 5 stars MIssed the Nuances if There were Any
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2014
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This reader wanted this story to move forward but it never did. Very one dimensional. Perhaps it is the dilemma of young women in China .
2 people found this helpful
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Spencer Graham-Thille
3.0 out of 5 stars Kinda Disappointing, Tbh
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2022
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This book was a little disappointing. I stopped reading after about page 25.
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Top reviews from other countries

Mr. Daniel Parrott
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
An interesting look at life in Shenzhen for female migrant labourers in the early years of the 2000s. Certainly more nuanced and interesting than other reviewers above have given it credit for, I am still mulling it over. Maybe it is a dull realist/pessimistic view of China or maybe it is quite a sophisticated examination of an indomitable human. Worth reading anyway
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carol chan
5.0 out of 5 stars An eye opener into life in today's China
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2013
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I read this book after hearing the author at the Sydney Writer's Festival. At first I was a bit worried about where it was going, but as I read on I was introduced to the life of a young woman in China today from a poor village and to a completely different way of looking at the world and what is right and wrong. It is beautifully written and Xiaohong's compassion and the struggle she has to remain true to her morals are heart warming.
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Louise Thorpe
3.0 out of 5 stars Good insight to Chinese culture and challenges
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2014
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Loved the book until halfway through, was gripping start but lost steam towards the end
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bookworm
1.0 out of 5 stars a soft p0rn
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2014
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I wasn't expecting a book revolving around a woman's chest and her willingness to sleep around. I threw the book in the bin after 30 minutes of boredom. 30USD wasted.
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CAM
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2014
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Boring light weight
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