BOOK BRIEF

China Mountain Zhang

Maureen F. McHugh
Guide cover placeholder

China Mountain Zhang

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1997

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Maureen F. McHugh

China Mountain Zhang

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1997
Book Details
Pages

313

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Earth • Future

Topic
Publication Year

1997

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh follows several individuals in a future world dominated by China, highlighting their personal struggles and societal challenges. The narrative interweaves diverse perspectives, including a construction worker and a kite repairer, as they navigate identities and aspirations in a society where technological advancement intersects with cultural expectations.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Melancholic

Gritty

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

5,334 ratings

74%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh is praised for its intricate world-building and diverse, relatable characters in a future socialist world led by China. The novel's fragmented structure may challenge some readers, yet it enhances the narrative's depth. While its character-driven plot lacks traditional action, it offers a reflective, immersive experience that resonates emotionally.

Who should read this

Who Should Read China Mountain Zhang?

Readers who enjoy China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh appreciate character-driven, speculative fiction with a sociopolitical edge. Fans of Le Guin’s The Dispossessed or Gibson’s Neuromancer would find similar themes of identity, societal structure, and personal growth appealing.

4.1

5,334 ratings

74%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh was nominated for several major science fiction awards, including the Hugo and Nebula Awards, and it won the 1993 Tiptree/Otherwise Award for exploring and expanding gender roles.

Maureen F. McHugh's debut novel China Mountain Zhang features an imagined future where China is the dominant global superpower, reflecting McHugh's interest in Chinese culture and her experiences living in China.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

The novel among its innovative storytelling elements uses multiple first-person perspectives, offering readers distinctive insights into different characters' lives in McHugh's richly imagined world.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

Book Details
Pages

313

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Earth • Future

Topic
Publication Year

1997

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!