I have been fortunate enough to visit China three times. I saw many changes from 2000 to 2006 to 2012. The book really captures the changing world within China. As an English teacher, I also fully appreciate the high quality writing. The writers/journalists who contributed to this book have written compelling beautifully written stories of their experiences in China. I loved Ian Johnson’s piece about the Taoist monks and longed to read the rest of the story. I was greatly intrigued by the chapters on Chinese education as I compared it to the American and Western educational systems. I really felt for Old Lady Gao in Harriet Evans piece about Old Beijing. If you have any interest in China you should read this book; it is a great read. -“So So Retro” on Chinese Characters

Short review: this book is great! Of course it’s a collection of essays, not a full length book, but it is much more worth reading than most “let me explain China’s situation from a Helicopter perspective and tell you what will happen in 2050” type of books. The single person perspective, the deliberate lack of any predictions or passing of judgement, and the deepth of the profiles make this a good read, even if you have lived a decade in China yourselves. Favorite essays: “Painting the outside world”, Peter Hessler; Looking for Lok To”, James Carter; and “The Court Jester”, Jeffrey Prescott … but I really read the whole thing in one go! Best, / Rasmus

(Source: amazon.com)

In reading these stories of how individuals make their way in this topsy-turvy, fast-paced society, enduring hardship, creating new businesses, challenging authority, struggling to maintain their identities and trying to create better lives for their children, it’s impossible not to feel impressed — and connected.

Read the full review.

GlobalAsia’s take on Chinese Characters:

Just as fascinating are the inadvertent profiles of the contributors, a diverse group of “foreigners” who speak Chinese, have lived for long stretches in China and struggle to keep up with the pace of change in a country at once rapidly globalizing and yet still profoundly insular. The common element is that they are gifted writers, making Chinese Characters both an illuminating portrait of contemporary China, but also a delight to read on literary merit alone.

Read more from their fall book reviews.

Prominent blogger and author of Behind the Red Door: Sex in China, Richard Burgers take on Chinese Characters:

This is a beautiful book and one that I read very quickly. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the lives of Chinese we rarely hear about. It lends nuance to everything we hear in the media about China, and takes us into worlds most of us hardly know exist. It is heartbreaking, funny, uplifting, awe-inspiring and surprising. It’s one of the best books I’ve read on China and it belongs on all of your bookshelves.

Read the entire review at The Peking Duck.