To Live

To Live by Yu Hua

• Genre: Fiction; Historical Fiction
• Originally Published: 1992 (in Chinese); 2003 (English translation)
• Reading Level/Interest: Adult/College
• Structure/Length: Divided into chapters; approximately 256 pages (English edition); approximately 8 hours and 50 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: To Live is a novel that spans several decades of Chinese history, from the 1940s to the 1970s. The central character, Fugui, is an impoverished and uneducated peasant who experiences the tumultuous changes of his country, including the Chinese Civil War, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution. The central conflict revolves around Fugui’s struggle for survival, both physically and emotionally, in the face of political upheaval, family tragedies, and personal loss. The novel explores themes of resilience, family bonds, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of war, political turmoil, infidelity, loss of life, and personal tragedy

Yu Hua, Author

• Bio: Born 1960; Chinese author; known for literary works that reflect the experiences of individuals and families against the backdrop of China’s turbulent history; often delves into the human condition and the impact of historical events on ordinary people in his writing; To Live is one of his most acclaimed novels and has been translated into multiple languages; has authored several novels, short stories, and essays that have garnered international attention
• Other Works: Chronicle of a Blood Merchant (1995); Brothers (2005); China in Ten Words (2011)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Connection Between Humans and Animals
• Political Systems and Class Divides

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop a historical and sociological understanding regarding the transformation of Chinese rural communities during the latter half of the 20th century, which impacts Fugui’s character development.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Connection Between Humans and Animals and Political Systems and Class Divides.
• Draft and share a creative writing piece that demonstrates an understanding of character perspectives, based on text details.