Description
Book SynopsisA collection of ninety-one short-shorts, a form of short-storytelling. Presenting diverse voices and perspectives by writers, the stories are culled from newspapers, magazines, literary journals, and personal collections.
Trade ReviewBeautiful and thought-provoking. Los Angeles Times The pieces are varied, lively, often charming, and occasionally brilliant. -- Perry Link New York Review of Books It's well worth dipping into (repeatedly). The Complete Review Beautiful and thought-provoking... A breeze of aesthetic freedom flows through all of them, making them fun to read. -- Susan Salter Los Angeles Times Funny, touching, intriguing and sometimes very beautifully... They are tiny vignettes of Chinese life in all its entire chaotic splendour. -- Jenny Niven Time Out Beijing Loud Sparrows is a delightful collection of short-shorts. -- Steve Noyes The Vancouver Sun
Table of ContentsForeword, by Bei Dao
Introduction
I. GroomingA Lover’s Ear, by Yuan Qiongqiong
Mothballs, by Chen Kehua
A Shaved Head, by Wang Meng
Lover, by Chen Kehua
Losing the Feet, by Zhong Jufang
Fad, by Zhang Zheng
II. ChangeWrong Number, by Liu Yichang
Learning to Talk, by Wang Meng
A Seat, by Liu Guofang
Self-Murder, by Cai Nan
Last Stop, Mongkok, by Che Zhengxuan
Parting, by Wang Kuishan
The Beat, by Liu Xinwu
III. Choices“Left” with No Chance, by Chang Gang
Sunday Morning, by Xi Xi
Jailbreak, by Ku Ling
A Cup of Tea, by Yu Yingmao
In the Haystack, by Cao Naiqian
Returning Home on a Stormy Night, by He Weiping
Tied Together by Fate, by Chen Huiying
IV. GovernanceThe Busy Secretary, by Zhan Jing
Cloth Shoes, by Ah Cheng
Promotion Report, by Chen Hengchu
Purchase Request for a Kettle, by Xu Shijie
A Capable Man Can’t Handle a Small Case, by Liu Jing
Ears, by Sun Xuemin
V. GamesWhat’s Up, Lao Cao? , by Chen Shixu
General, by Liu Jianchao
Number Eight, by Wu Yimin
Observe, by Ah Cheng
Confinement, by Yuan Bingfa
Here’s How the Flu Spreads, by Qin Yong
The Upholder of Unity, by Wang Meng
VI. ControversyA Tail, by Wang Zengqi
Black Hen, White Hen, by Ji Dongliang
My One Comment Too Many, by Yi Ming
Gan Xiaocao’s Bamboo Pole, by Deng Hongwei
Right to the Heart of the Matter, by Wang Meng
Sexual Harassment, by Lin Li-chun
VII. AnticipationsBed-Wetting, by Zhang Jishu
The Principle of Rebound, by Xu Haiwei
Accidental Confidante, by Bai Xiaoyi
Matching Sets, by Wei Jinshu
Home, by Xiu Xiangming
Rendez-vous, by Si Li
VIII. CreaturesCat, by Yuan Qiongqiong
Pets, by Ah Cheng
Sea Turtle, by Zhang Kangkang
Flies, by Yuan Qiongqiong
The Crow and the Fox, by Liang Dazhi
Waiting for a Windfall, by Wang Yanyan
Little Stray Cat, by Zhong Ling
IX. SharingDivision, by Zhou Rui
Postcards, by Ye Si
The Cycle, by Ah Cheng
Black Umbrella, by Yi Ruofen
Small-Hands Chen, by Wang Zengqi
It Was the Pumpkin That Brought Me Here, by Luo Feng
In-Law, by Cao Naiqian
X. (In)FidelitiesElope, by Fu Aimao
Frenchie, by Ai Ya
Hickey, by Ku Ling
Horse Talk, by Mo Yan
A Family Catastrophe, by Ku Ling
Hatred, by Ah Cheng
Confession of a Photographer, by Ku Ling
XI. NourishmentGood Wine, by Chen Hui
Chimney Smoke, by Ah Cheng
0 Café, by Ku Ling
The Bus Stop and Haws-sicles, by Zhou Rui
Granny Drunkard, by Feng Jicai
Tea Scum, by Ling Dingnian
XII. WeirdnessDisputatiasis, by Wang Meng
The Features-Column Editor’s Daydream, by Liu Yichang
Death Dream, by Ku Ling
Empty Seat, by Yuan Qiongqiong
Little, Little, Little, Little, Little . . . , by Wang Meng
Strange Encounter, by Mo Yan
XIII. ?An Explosion in the Living Room, by Bai Xiaoyi
Going Home, by Ai Ya
It Looks as If . . . , by Teng Gang
Not Seen, by Yuan Qiongqiong
My Wife Finally Goes Camping, by Lin Ji
Contemplating Water, by Zhong Ling
XIV. ElegyFather, by Yuan Qiongqiong
A Knock at the Door, by Lin Jinlan
Grandpa Pothook, by Cao Naiqian
Killer Well, by Zhong Ling
Looking Back at Life at the Moment of Death, by Cai Nan
An Encounter with General Zhou, by Chi Zijian
XV. Looking Backward and Looking AheadThe Look, by Li Zuchen
Notes
About the Authors
