China Underground (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781593762230)

An American's experiences of the traditions, changes, and subcultures of 21st-century China--"a seamless portrait of a complex modern society" (Publishers Weekly).

Formerly a student in Beijing, Zachary Mexico returned to China in 2006 to chronicle the immense changes in Chinese society ushered as it joined the world's headlong rush into the future. Focusing on the Chinese of his generation, Zach journeys into the vibrant subcultures of the marginalized and outcast that exist alongside China's centuries of tradition.

Talking to such varied personalities as a mafia kingpin, a prostitute, and a wannabe rock star, Zach offers a unique perspective on the radical shifts in Chinese society. Finding individuals with fascinating stories, he delves into topics ranging from culture to politics to environmental issues and sexual mores.

Readers will meet a closeted graphic designer; a self-taught disaster photographer; a struggling punk band; a ladies' man who can't stay in one place; and many more faces of this unique country. This is a remarkable portrayal of a country undergoing rapid-fire change in a place where timeless historical legacies still line the streets.

Author: Zachary Mexico
ISBN-10: 1593762232
ISBN-13: 9781593762230
Publisher: Soft Skull
Language: English
Published: 01/27/2009
Pages: 316
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.40w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/2009 pg. 27
Publishers Weekly 02/16/2009 pg. 124
New Yorker (The) 03/30/2009 pg. 71
Kirkus Best Books 12/15/2009 pg. 9