Beijing intellectual Chen Zhen volunteers to live in a remote settlement on the border of Inner & Outer Mongolia where he discovers life of apparent idyllic simplicity amongst the nomads & the wild wolves who roam the plains. But when members of the Peoples Republic swarm in from the cities to bring modernity & productivity to the grasslands the peace of Chens solitary existence is shattered & the delicate balance between humans & wolves is disrupted. Only time will tell whether the grasslands environment & culture will ever recover! Wolf Totem" has been a sensation ever since it shot to the top of the Chinese bestseller charts in 2004. A beautiful & moving portrayal of a land & culture that no longer exists it is also a powerful portrait of modern China & a fascinating insight into the countrys own view of itself its history & its people."