Under Red Skies: The Life and Times of a Chinese Millennial

Karoline Kan was born in 1989, a generation caught between China's authoritarian politics and its hyper-modern technology and economic boom. She seeks to understand the shifting sands of global, connected China through her family, who have survived Maoism and its legacy by breaking with tradition. Kan recounts gripping tales of her grandmother, mother, and cousin, who struggled to help her family through the Great Famine and defied the One-Child Policy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

Karoline Kan, born in 1989, a year marked by the tragic events of the Tiananmen Square massacre, finds herself at the crossroads of China's authoritarian politics and its rapid technological and economic development. As she embarks on a journey to comprehend the ever-evolving landscape of global, interconnected China, Karoline turns to her family, who have weathered the tumultuous era of Maoism and its enduring legacy by challenging traditional norms. Navigating a society plagued by poverty and often violent political unrest, the Kans made the courageous decision to leave their rural villages and venture into the bustling city streets, seeking a better life for themselves and their children.

Today, Karoline is a journalist, sharing captivating stories of her grandmother's resilience during the Great Famine, her mother's courageous defiance of the One-Child Policy, and her cousin's struggles as a factory worker earning less than £1 per hour. As an ambitious millennial navigating her career and personal life in a time of dizzying social change, Karoline uncovers the roots of her own story in the China of previous generations.

Through her personal experiences and the stories of her family, Karoline sheds light on the complexities and contradictions of a country undergoing rapid transformation. She highlights the struggles and sacrifices made by generations past, as well as the resilience and determination of those who have embraced change to build a better future. Karoline's journey serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of history on the present and the importance of understanding and appreciating the diverse tapestry of cultures and experiences that shape our world.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 160 x 338 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787386020