Forty Roses (Contemporary Writers)

This novel by one of China's best contemporary writers is an exploration of the Cultural revolution and its impact on individual lives.

Within the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution families were destroyed, friendships disbanded and budding relationships never given a chance to bloom. Over two decades later two families now have a chance to mend bridges that were destroyed in the past. Former friends must now put their histories behind them, while those relationships lost in the confusion of the past may have a chance to re-ignite. Six students of the Cultural Revolution now have the rare opportunity to change their destinies.

Sun Yong, a native of Zhejiang Province, is a member of the Chinese Writers' Association. He began writing in 1973 while working in the countryside during the Cultural Revolution. After graduating from East China Teachers' University in 1982, he joined the Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House, serving successively as editor and managing director. Then, he was appointed Director of Shanghai Press and Publication Administration and held the post for over ten years. He is currently Vice-Chairman of the Writers' Association of Shanghai.

His major works include novels, novellas and short stories One of his recent books, The Eight Trigrams of Thought, with its unique perspective on human society and its innovative approach, has also received much national acclaim.