Lost in the Long March

In Michael X. Wang’s powerful debut novel, Lost in the Long March, set against the tumultuous backdrop of Mao’s Long March in 1934 China, a naive orphan named Ping navigates his love for the seasoned sharpshooter Yong, who is deeply committed to Marxist ideology. As the Red Army embarks on a yearlong retreat, their lives take an unexpected turn with the birth of their son, whom they must leave behind due to the harsh realities of war. When World War II erupts, their now twelve-year-old son enlists in the Japanese army in search of his parents, leading to a poignant exploration of family, identity, and the relentless impact of historical conflict. Wang's novel masterfully intertwines personal narratives with the broader strokes of political history, highlighting how the fates of individuals are inextricably linked to their country’s tumultuous past.