Oracle Bones

Peter Hessler's previous book River Town was a prize-winning, poignant and deeply compelling portrait of China. Now, in Oracle Bones, Hessler returns to the country, excavating its long history and immersing himself in the lives of young Chinese as they migrate from the traditional Chinese countryside to the booming ever-changing cities and try to cope with their society's modern transformation.

“To come across a Westerner patient enough and tolerant enough to try and understand the immense, exasperating and ultimately lovable entity that is China is always a pleasure. To encounter one that is as literate and sensitive as Peter Hessler is a joy - Simon WinchesterOne of the most profoundly original books about China - The EconomistA swirl of interconnecting stories and histories make up Peter Hessler's extraordinary, genre-defying second book - Daily TelegraphOracle Bones, the much anticipated follow-up to his acclaimed debut, River Town, lays bare a rapidly evolving China through his often bizarre encounters with the engines of its social changes. - South China Morning PostExtensive travel around China with occasional flits back home to the U.S., combine with some fascinating speculation on the origins of Chinese civilisation and how the remote past impinges on the present - China ReviewDip into it ... You will be hooked - International Herald TribuneA brilliant tapestry of ancient and modern China - SpectatorHe ranges widely and, in doing so, illustrates how Chinese history accumulates - Mick Herron, Geographical Magazine”

To come across a Westerner patient enough and tolerant enough to try and understand the immense, exasperating and ultimately lovable entity that is China is always a pleasure. To encounter one that is as literate and sensitive as Peter Hessler is a joy - Simon Winchester

One of the most profoundly original books about China - The Economist

A swirl of interconnecting stories and histories make up Peter Hessler's extraordinary, genre-defying second book - Daily Telegraph

Oracle Bones, the much anticipated follow-up to his acclaimed debut, River Town, lays bare a rapidly evolving China through his often bizarre encounters with the engines of its social changes. - South China Morning Post

Extensive travel around China with occasional flits back home to the U.S., combine with some fascinating speculation on the origins of Chinese civilisation and how the remote past impinges on the present - China Review

Dip into it ... You will be hooked - International Herald Tribune

A brilliant tapestry of ancient and modern China - Spectator

He ranges widely and, in doing so, illustrates how Chinese history accumulates - Mick Herron, Geographical Magazine

Peter Hessler is a correspondent for The New Yorker and a contributor to National Geographic. He is the author of River Town, published in both hardback and paperback by John Murray and winner of the 2001 Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize. Raised in Columbia, Missouri, he now lives in Beijing.

Peter Hessler's previous book River Town was a prize-winning, poignant and deeply compelling portrait of China. Now, in Oracle Bones , Hessler returns to the country, excavating its long history and immersing himself in the lives of young Chinese as they migrate from the traditional Chinese countryside to the booming ever-changing cities and try to cope with their society's modern transformation.

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