A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2026 WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION, A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing is a dark, magical realist family saga that traverses significant historical moments, including the Japanese occupation of Manchuria and the Cultural Revolution. As Qianze reconnects with her estranged father, Ba, after eleven years, his haunting stories of the past and an ominous prophecy unravel a legacy of intergenerational trauma and the impacts of colonialism. Blending folklore with atmospheric prose, Alice Evelyn Yang’s debut explores themes of family, forgiveness, and the inescapable grip of fate across multiple generations.