More Than One Child
Translated by Nicky Harman
Published by Balestier Press (2021)
More Than One Child: Memoirs of an Illegal Daughter is Shen Yang's debut memoir, a riveting and moving story about her turbulent childhood growing up as an excess child during the One Child policy. The book received praise from both readers and many authoritative media, including The Guardian, Asian Review of Books, Words without Borders etc.
It has been translated in Arabic and Finnish (the latter was particularly well received in Finland due to the large amount of excess children from China that were adopted by Finnish families).
High-quality paperback
280 pages with over 60 colored photos from China's nineties
“More Than One Child” is a beautifully told and deeply moving story. Even though it made me cry I couldn’t put the book down. I haven’t read a story that would be so sad and so positive at the same time. It truly brings light and hope into the reader’s life. One of the best books I've ever read.”
— ★★★★★ Kakcia
“This book is a roller-coaster of emotions, it will make you laugh, it will make you smile, you will feel excited, it will make you cry, you will feel sad and wish you could travel back and protect all these poor babies. Sometimes you will experience many of this emotions just a few pages apart”
— ★★★★★ Isaiah Mcclure
“What an absolutely marvellous piece of literature and soul searching from a wounded past delivered through hindsight. Shen Yang dug deep to recollect her childhood away from her family, hiding as an 'extra child' during strict-enforcement of the One Child Policy. She retells her journey and that of children with similar status to herself, shedding light on an often forgotten part of history.”
— ★★★★★ books4chess
“More Than One Child is a moving memoir of a girl’s resilience and her ability to forge through life despite her bitter circumstances. It is history—a mosaic of inked words legitimating the experiences of the illegal, a brave voice echoing the memories of the countless children otherwise lost in the labyrinth of time.”
— ★★★★★ Atulya Kriday
“More Than One Child" offers an insightful perspective on China's One Child Policy through the eyes of a child. The memoir expertly blends humor and seriousness, making it a heartwarming yet thought-provoking read. It's a brilliant story that not only entertains but also provides a deeper understanding of China's cultural societal dynamics. Highly recommended for its engaging narrative and its ability to shed light on a significant moment in China's contemporary history with a personal point of view.”
— ★★★★★ Lorenzo Donelli
“This is a superb book that should be read by anyone interested in the experience of people who are excluded from society. Yang writes a poignant and touching account of her life growing up in China under draconian population laws. We learn what it was like to be a non-citizen, and basically a non-entity, in Chinese society simply as a result of being born. The book is personal and brings the reader through many difficult experiences, while somehow retaining a positive tone. I strongly recommend this to anyone interested in China, but also to those who want to understand the lived experience of being rejected by society as well as the strength and resilience the author develops as she grows up and learns to be independent. It's a wonderful book. ”
— ★★★★★ John Traphagan