48 pages • 1 hour read
Dai Sijie, Transl. Ina RilkeBalzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie, translated by Ina Rilke, is set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and follows two teenage boys sent to a remote mountain village for re-education. They befriend the Little Seamstress and discover forbidden Western literature, which introduces them to new ideas and emotions, ultimately leading the Little Seamstress to seek a life beyond her village. The novel contains descriptions of political oppression, violence, and self-harm.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie, translated by Ina Rilke, beautifully captures cultural conflict and personal transformation during China's Cultural Revolution. Praised for lyrical prose and rich themes of literature's power, the novel occasionally faces criticism for lack of depth in character development. Overall, it's a poignant and evocative read.
Who Should Read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress?
Readers who enjoy Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie and translated by Ina Rilke are typically fans of historical fiction with cultural and philosophical depth. This audience is similar to those who appreciate Wild Swans by Jung Chang and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See.