Description

Book Synopsis

As China has downsized and privatized its state-owned enterprises, severe unemployment has created a new class of urban poor and widespread social and psychological disorders. In Unknotting the Heart, Jie Yang examines this understudied group of workers and their experiences of being laid off, "counseled," and then reoriented to the market economy.



Trade Review

With this book, Yang makes an important contribution by exploring the subjectivities of unemployed workers in China and by making visible the often hidden ideological struggle between the state and the unemployed workers over the interpretation of dislocation and unemployment.

-- Ofer Sharone * ILR Review *

Unknotting the Heart offers invaluable information and insights into the lived experiences of laid-off workers and the state's responses in China. Being the first book-length ethnography on the recent rise of Western psychotherapy in China, it will be of great interest to scholars in China studies, medical anthropology, and psychology.

-- Hsuan-Ying Huang * Pacific Affairs *

Unknotting the Heart

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by Jie Yang

    £25.64

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £26.99 – you save £1.35 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 16 Sep 2026.

    1 in stock

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

      View other formats and editions of Unknotting the Heart by Jie Yang

      Book details

      Publisher Cornell University Press
      Published 7 May 2015
      ISBN-13 9780801456602
      978-0801456602
      ISBN-10 0801456606
      Also in:
      Asian history Psychotherapy: counselling

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      As China has downsized and privatized its state-owned enterprises, severe unemployment has created a new class of urban poor and widespread social and psychological disorders. In Unknotting the Heart, Jie Yang examines this understudied group of workers and their experiences of being laid off, "counseled," and then reoriented to the market economy.



      Trade Review

      With this book, Yang makes an important contribution by exploring the subjectivities of unemployed workers in China and by making visible the often hidden ideological struggle between the state and the unemployed workers over the interpretation of dislocation and unemployment.

      -- Ofer Sharone * ILR Review *

      Unknotting the Heart offers invaluable information and insights into the lived experiences of laid-off workers and the state's responses in China. Being the first book-length ethnography on the recent rise of Western psychotherapy in China, it will be of great interest to scholars in China studies, medical anthropology, and psychology.

      -- Hsuan-Ying Huang * Pacific Affairs *

      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