Red Dust is a must-read for those interested in China's recent history and culture. Through Ma Jian's insightful journey, readers can gain a unique perspective on China's societal challenges. The book is a compelling mix of beautiful descriptions of the country's natural beauty and commentary on the repressive nature of China's government in the 1980s.

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• Thomas Cook Travel Book Award (2002)
• Kiriyama Prize Nominee for Nonfiction (2001)

In Red Dust, Ma Jian tells the story of his three-year exploration of China during the first wave of economic liberalisation following the death of Mao Zedong. Fleeing into the Chinese hinterland on his 30th birthday, Jian uproots himself from his bohemian lifestyle and embarks on a journey filled with adventures and challenges. This genuine adventure, beautifully translated from the Chinese by Flora Drew, provides a complete portrait of ordinary Chinese life. By turns poetic, wise, and brave, Red Dust is a classic work of travel writing and a compelling meditation on the spiritual bankruptcy of an era.

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