Do Not Say We Have Nothing

Do Not Say We Have Nothing is a novel by Madeline Thein, which focuses on the 20th century Communist Revolution in China and its effects on multiple generations of Chinese citizens. This book won the Scotiabank Giller Prize as well as the Governor General’s Award. It was also shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016. This guide refers the American paperback edition published by W.W. Norton.

Plot Summary

During the first horrific years of the Revolution in China, Big Mother Knife and her sister Swirl dance, sing, and tell stories in order to make enough money to survive. Not too long after they begin this endeavor, Big Mother Knife gives birth to Sparrow, a wispy little boy who quickly becomes part of their musical act. Wanting to avoid the horrors that surrounded him, Sparrow concentrates on music, his mother’s love, and nothing else.

Eventually the fighting ceases, so Big Mother Knife’s family settles down in Shanghai where Sparrow takes lessons at the Conservatory. Long after life has fallen back into the safety of routine, Sparrow finds his emaciated and lonely cousin Zhuli, Swirl’s daughter, waiting on their doorstep, holding very little but a few music records.