Description

Book Synopsis

A brilliantly comic satire about a love affair from the visionary, world-class storyteller.

Set in 1967, at the peak of the Mao cult, this is the tale of a forbidden love affair between Liu Lian - the bored wife of a military commander - and a young soldier, Wu Dawang.

When Liu Lian establishes a rule that Wu Dawang must attend to her needs whenever the household's wooden 'Serve the People!' sign is removed from its usual place, he vows to obey. What follows is both an enthralling love story and a deliciously comic satire on the political and sexual taboos of Mao's regime.

'Drips with the kind of satire that can only come from deep within the machinery of Chinese communism' Financial Times



Trade Review
One of China's greatest living authors and fiercest satirists * Guardian *
Brilliantly exposes the emptiness of Maoist ideals and the fraudulent ends for which they were used, but also relates a sorrowful tale of compromised relationships and modest hopes left unfulfilled * Publishers Weekly *
A scathing sendup of life in 1960s China during the chaos of the country's Cultural Revolution...a wonderfully biting sature, brimming with absurdity, humor and wit * Los Angeles Times *

Serve the People!

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by Yan Lianke

    £9.49

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 2 Oct 2026.

    2 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Serve the People! by Yan Lianke

      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Vintage
      Published 28 October 2021
      ISBN-13 9781529113914
      978-1529113914
      ISBN-10 1529113911
      Also in:
      Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      A brilliantly comic satire about a love affair from the visionary, world-class storyteller.

      Set in 1967, at the peak of the Mao cult, this is the tale of a forbidden love affair between Liu Lian - the bored wife of a military commander - and a young soldier, Wu Dawang.

      When Liu Lian establishes a rule that Wu Dawang must attend to her needs whenever the household's wooden 'Serve the People!' sign is removed from its usual place, he vows to obey. What follows is both an enthralling love story and a deliciously comic satire on the political and sexual taboos of Mao's regime.

      'Drips with the kind of satire that can only come from deep within the machinery of Chinese communism' Financial Times



      Trade Review
      One of China's greatest living authors and fiercest satirists * Guardian *
      Brilliantly exposes the emptiness of Maoist ideals and the fraudulent ends for which they were used, but also relates a sorrowful tale of compromised relationships and modest hopes left unfulfilled * Publishers Weekly *
      A scathing sendup of life in 1960s China during the chaos of the country's Cultural Revolution...a wonderfully biting sature, brimming with absurdity, humor and wit * Los Angeles Times *

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account