Plot Summary

Country Driving

Peter Hessler
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Country Driving

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2010

Book Brief

Peter Hessler

Country Driving

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2010
Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

China • 2000s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Country Driving by Peter Hessler is a non-fiction book that explores the transformative impact of China's rapid infrastructure development and car culture on its cities and rural areas. Through his travels from Beijing to the Gobi Desert, Hessler documents the country's expressway expansion, driving culture, and significant migration to urban and factory zones, as well as the transformations in village life and urban development. The book contains graphic descriptions of car accidents and fatalities.

Informative

Adventurous

Contemplative

Humorous

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.4

8,570 ratings

85%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Peter Hessler's Country Driving has been praised for its insightful and vivid portrayal of contemporary China, blending travelogue, reportage, and personal narrative. Reviews commend Hessler's engaging prose, keen observations, and humorous anecdotes. However, some critics find the book lengthy and meandering at times. Overall, it offers an enriching, albeit occasionally slow, exploration of a transforming nation.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Country Driving?

Readers who enjoy blending travel memoirs with cultural and social explorations will find Country Driving by Peter Hessler fascinating. Similar to Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Paul Theroux's Riding the Iron Rooster, this book caters to those interested in modern China's transformation through the lens of personal journeys and detailed observations.

4.4

8,570 ratings

85%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Country Driving by Peter Hessler offers a unique perspective on the rapid development of China's infrastructure by exploring the evolution of its roadways and the driving culture.

The book intricately weaves in historical and cultural contexts, revealing how driving in China acts as a window into understanding broader social changes.

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Peter Hessler uses his own driving experiences to illustrate the profound transformations occurring in rural and urban areas, drawing attention to the dynamic nature of modern Chinese life.

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Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

China • 2000s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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