December 1937. The Japanese have taken Nanking. A group of terrified schoolgirls hides in the compound of an American church. Among them is Shujuan, through whose thirteen-year-old eyes we witness the shocking events that follow.
Run by Father Engelmann, an American priest who has been in China for many years, the church is supposedly neutral ground in the war between China and Japan. But it becomes clear the Japanese are not obeying international rules of engagement. As they pour through the streets of Nanking, raping and pillaging the civilian population, the girls are in increasing danger. And their safety is further compromised when prostitutes from the nearby brothel climb over the wall into the compound seeking refuge.
Short, powerful, vivid, this beautiful novel transports the reader to 1930s China. Full of wonderful characters, from the austere priest to the irreverent prostitutes, it is a story about how war upsets all prejudices and how love can flourish amidst death.
Run by Father Engelmann, an American priest who has been in China for many years, the church is supposedly neutral ground in the war between China and Japan. But it becomes clear the Japanese are not obeying international rules of engagement. As they pour through the streets of Nanking, raping and pillaging the civilian population, the girls are in increasing danger. And their safety is further compromised when prostitutes from the nearby brothel climb over the wall into the compound seeking refuge.
Short, powerful, vivid, this beautiful novel transports the reader to 1930s China. Full of wonderful characters, from the austere priest to the irreverent prostitutes, it is a story about how war upsets all prejudices and how love can flourish amidst death.
Used availability for Geling Yan's The Flowers of War
See all available used copies of this book at: Abebooks UK or Abebooks US
Hardback Editions
January 2012 : Hardback
| Title: The Flowers of War Author(s): Geling Yan ISBN: 1-84655-589-2 / 9781846555893 (UK edition) Publisher: Harvill Secker Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
Paperback Editions
January 2013 : Paperback
| Title: The Flowers of War Author(s): Geling Yan ISBN: 0-09-956962-0 / 978-0-09-956962-6 (UK edition) Publisher: Vintage Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
January 2012 : Paperback
| Title: The Flowers of War (Movie Tie-in Edition) Author(s): Geling Yan ISBN: 1-59051-556-0 / 9781590515563 (USA edition) Publisher: Other Press Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
Other Editions
February 2012 : Kindle edition
| Title: The Flowers of War (Movie Tie-in Edition) Author(s): Geling Yan Publisher: Other Press Availability: Amazon More details... |
January 2012 : Kindle edition
| Title: The Flowers of War Author(s): Geling Yan Publisher: Vintage Digital Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
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