Plot Summary

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers

Yiyun Li
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A Thousand Years of Good Prayers

Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 2005

Book Brief

Yiyun Li

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers

Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

220

Format

Short Story Collection • Fiction

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers by Yiyun Li explores themes of identity, culture, and freedom through the lives of predominantly Chinese and Chinese-American characters. In stories like "Extra," "After a Life," "Immortality," and "The Princess of Nebraska," characters navigate personal and societal challenges amidst changing cultural landscapes. The collection delves into complex relationships, generational conflicts, and the search for belonging. Some stories involve disability, mental health issues, and past traumas.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

4,113 ratings

72%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Yiyun Li's A Thousand Years of Good Prayers is praised for its poignant prose and deep exploration of Chinese-American identity. Readers commend its compelling characters and emotional depth. However, some find its pacing uneven and a few stories less engaging than others. Despite minor drawbacks, the collection offers an evocative glimpse into cross-cultural experiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Thousand Years of Good Prayers?

Readers who savor poignant, character-driven stories about Chinese culture, generational conflict, and immigrant experiences will enjoy Yiyun Li's A Thousand Years of Good Prayers. Fans of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri will find similar thematic richness and emotional depth.

4.1

4,113 ratings

72%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

220

Format

Short Story Collection • Fiction

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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