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Book Review <Young China: How the Restless Generation will Change Their Country and The World - Zak Dychtwald > (20/10/2021)

Writer's picture: Stefan ZhangStefan Zhang

When something about Chinese culture is written by a white man, people may be doubtful about his intentions and the “authenticity” of his interpretation. I was one of those people, before reading the book.


However, the contents page intrigued me. Rather than providing scientific or analytical research on the Chinese youth, like an academic paper, the book presents stories about young Chinese people and their everyday lives from different perspectives, in a narrative style similar to a travel documentary. It’s also fascinating to witness the struggles of a foreigner encountering China for the first time, and to see how he gradually tries to understand, accept, and communicate with the cultural differences. Despite starting with a negative preconception, shaped by his acquaintance in Hong Kong, he keeps an open mind, acknowledging his mistakes and learning from his language journey.


Although there are inaccuracies regarding the Chinese language and historical figures (for instance, he describes Zhuangzi as a poet, when he was actually a well-known Daoist philosopher, though his writings could be considered poetic), the book vividly portrays various aspects of modern Chinese culture. Through the lived experiences of his interviewees—some of whom are his friends—it paints a rich picture of everyday lifestyle, struggles, dietary habits, life purpose, education, relationships, and more. As someone from the post-90s generation, I felt a deep resonance with these stories. In that sense, the book succeeds in conveying what he describes as “the Restless Generation” in the title.


Finally, this is not an academic research book that uses scientific methodologies to prove a point. Instead, it serves as a neutral introduction to modern Chinese culture for those who have only encountered China through TV, newspapers, or biased reports.


What the author encountered is just a small part of the young Chinese generation. There are still many untold stories, and, as reviewer Keith B. Richburg said, “what will be more valuable … are the books by China’s millennials and professional women telling their own stories, in their own words, writing in English and without the filter of their American interlocutors.” It is also crucial to note that only those who have lived in China as part of the post-90s generation can truly understand the changes in life, the generational gaps, and the difficulties and challenges of being young (who have now become the older generation) in China.

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