Tiananmen Square

Set in Beijing during the 1970s and 80s, this autobiographical novel follows Lai as she navigates her childhood in a small working-class flat with her family, including a fierce grandmother and a distant father. As she grows up, she grapples with the harsh realities of her country, experiences the complexities of relationships, and develops a passion for learning, ultimately earning a scholarship to Peking University. There, she becomes involved in the burgeoning student protests of the late 1980s, capturing the hope and courage of a generation in the face of a turbulent political landscape. This powerful narrative intertwines personal growth with the historical events of the Tiananmen Square protests, reflecting both individual and collective struggle.