Plot Summary

Red Sorghum

Mo Yan
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Red Sorghum

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1986

Book Brief

Mo Yan

Red Sorghum

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1986
Book Details
Pages

359

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Shandong, China • 1930s

Publication Year

1986

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Red Sorghum by Mo Yan, published in 1986, employs magical realism to narrate the story of three generations of the Shandong family in China from the 1920s to the 1970s, focusing on their transition from sorghum wine makers to resistance fighters during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This non-linear tale, rich with vivid imagery and symbolism, highlights the family's sacrifices, struggles, and the ongoing impact of war on their village. The book includes depictions of violence and sexual assault.

Dark

Gritty

Mysterious

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.9

8,465 ratings

66%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Mo Yan's Red Sorghum is lauded for its rich, evocative storytelling and vivid depiction of rural life in 20th-century China. Critics praise its lush prose and powerful narrative but note that its nonlinear structure and graphic violence may deter some readers. The novel's blend of historical reflection and folklore provides a deeply immersive yet challenging read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Red Sorghum?

Readers who appreciate Red Sorghum by Mo Yan typically enjoy intricate historical narratives, familial sagas, and a blend of realism with folklore. Fans of Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude or Jung Chang's Wild Swans might find this novel deeply engaging due to its rich, immersive storytelling and cultural depth.

3.9

8,465 ratings

66%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

359

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Shandong, China • 1930s

Publication Year

1986

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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