First published 2016
Journalist Michael Meyer embeds himself in a small Manchurian town, immersing in the vanishing way of life. As the local steel mill shuts down and residents scatter, Meyer chronicles the community's resilience and dignity in the face of sweeping change. From backyard pig slaughters to family funerals, he bears witness to the rituals and relationships sustaining this isolated pocket of China. But Meyer's own life is transformed as he finds unexpected connection and belonging in this fading world.
Genres: china, non-fiction, 21st-century, cultural, cultural-studies
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Manchuria
Period: 21st-century
384 pages · Paperback · Bloomsbury Press