With journalistic acumen & a novelist`s flair, Xinran tells the remarkable stories of men & women born in China after 1979
- the recent generations raised under China`s single-child policy. At a time when the country continues to transform at the speed of light, these generations of precious `one & onlies` are burdened with expectation, yet have often been brought up without any sense of responsibility. Within their families, they are revered as `little emperors` & `suns`, although such cosseting can come at a high price: isolation, confusion & an inability to deal with life`s challenges. From the businessman`s son unable to pack his own suitcase, to the Ph D student who pulled herself out of extreme rural poverty, Xinran shows how these generations embody the hopes & fears of a great nation at a time of unprecedented change. It is a time of fragmentation, heart-breaking & inspiring in equal measure, in which capitalism vies with communism, the city with the countryside & Western opportunity with Eastern tradition. Through the fascinating stories of these only children, we catch a startling glimpse of the emerging face of China.