The Cry of the Silkworm

A gripping coming-of-age tale of a grief-stricken young girl in turn-of-the-century China that reveals the devastating consequences of the one-child policy.

1994, rural China: Twelve-year-old Chen Di loves and protects her long-awaited little brother, but when she witnesses an unforgettable scene with her aunties and the authorities, everything she thought she knew about her community is ripped away from her.

2002, Shanghai: A gutsy young aikido-practising Chen Di is utterly transformed from her naive younger self. Now hardened by experience, her determination to avenge her mother's killer is stronger than ever – and she has steeled herself against affection of any kind. Alone in the big city, and with the unwanted attentions of a cocky, wise-cracking teenage boy and a martial arts teacher intent on peace over violence, her toughness starts being chipped away – planting a seed of doubt about going through with her plan for revenge.

Spanning a decade at the turn of the twenty-first century, The Cry of the Silkworm is an emotional and thought-provoking tale of one young woman's coming of age – and a stark look at the impact of China's one-child policy, from a strikingly fresh new voice.

About the Author

Shi Naseer grew up in China under the one-child policy before immigrating to Australia as a teenager and subsequently earning a master's in mathematics from Cambridge University and PhD in black-hole physics from Harvard University. She currently divides her time between Connecticut and Pakistan, and lives with her husband and son.

Reviews

"In this riveting, action-packed novel, Shi Naseer takes us from Shanghainese longtangs to Sichuan's fields and canyons, her skilful prose making the impact of the one-child policy visceral and deeply human: we feel the ache of families and the cruelty of deeply entrenched gender norms through our the eyes of bright, pugnacious Chen Di and her rebellious, melancholy urban counterpart Lin Feng. A tale of revenge becomes a mystery of interwoven fate and unexpected parallels, all while examining the intellectual, social, and familial intricacies of citizens responding to life under an uncompromising rule." —Aube Rey Lescure, author of River East, River West

"Gorgeously written, poignant, and propulsive, The Cry of the Silkworm could only have been written by a Chinese native who experienced first-hand the horrors of China's one-child policy. A gripping debut. I couldn't put it down." —Nancy Crochiere, author of Graceland

"A sweeping narrative that explores the complexities of family dynamics, societal pressure, and the resilience of love amidst adversity. Chen Di, our intrepid protagonist, confronts numerous hurdles with remarkable strength, compassion, and a fierce determination to persevere." —Weike Wang, author of Chemistry

Dimensions: 13.5 x 3 x 21.6 cm