This collection of five stories and a novella describes life in China during the Cultural Revolution. Focusing on personal relationships and showing how they were affected by the political upheavals and social pressures of the time, Geling Yan presents a series of often tragic tales, beautifully balancing irony and intense emotion. The collection includes "Celestial Bath," the basis for Joan Chen's award-winning film "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl."