Catalogue

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Title:	Land of Big Numbers
Authors:	Chen, Te-Ping
Genre:	Fiction
Pages:	233
Year:	2021
Language:	English
Description:	In this selection of ten short stories, Chinese American Te-Ping Chen offers readers vignettes of life in contemporary China and the diaspora. From the restriction of personal freedoms to social mobility in a rural village; from the generational divide to repressed memories of the Cultural Revolution, these stories are original, thought-provoking and poignant in their depiction of the most populous nation on earth.
Categories:	Fiction, Short Story/Essay, Community, Culture/Ethnic/Racial, Political, Short Read, China, Staff Pick, 2025 Titles

Reviews

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By: WHITBY 002		2026-04-15 12:44:06

Certainly thought provoking and well-written, but no one in the group liked these stories, some did not even finish. Too short to become engaged with the characters and the lives portrayed were so bleak and depressing, the word that came up most was "weird". Not recommended.

By: CHCH 202		2026-03-25 09:29:55

A lot of discussion even though we had differing opinions. The writing was easy to read, not at all complex, and some readers liked that the ends were open to interpretation.

By: NELS 023		2025-10-13 14:38:21

We found it impossible to give this book a star rating. Half our group thought it was one of the best books they've read ( 5 stars), while the other half could not relate to it at all ( 1 star).

By: WELL 042		2025-06-16 14:33:11

We all enjoyed these stories.

By: CHCH 268		2024-10-09 12:58:39

Quite a few didn't engage with this book, but others found it thought provoking, and my 25 year old son and I LOVED it. Beautiful, easy writing. Stories that you reflect on, and one a night for 10 days was perfect.