About the book
Dancing Through Red Dust tells the story of lawyer Wei Da, who is
forced to go on the run after an accident leaves his girlfriend’s blackmailing
ex-lover dead. He destroys evidence, hides his assets and plans to flee China
but his desperate bid for freedom ends in anguish when he is arrested and sent
to the notorious Cao River Remand Centre.
The worst of human nature is
exhibited here, both behind bars and in court, and it isn’t long before Wei is
exposed to all manner of lowlifes including corrupt lawyers using bribes to
clear their wealthy clients & deviant judges demanding sexual favours,
while the rich rape & murder without fear of punishment. During his trial,
Wei is shocked to discover the true extent of corruption within China’s legal
system as judges and lawyers scam and scheme before sentencing him to death.
Forced to live out the rest of his days behind bars, Wei must atone for his
errors while contending with the harsh realities of prison survival. But as his
execution date nears, will he find redemption, and justice, before it’s too
late?
Reaction in China
Dancing Through Red Dust was subjected to extensive cuts prior to
publication in China, with the publisher forced to close within months.
About the author
Murong - winner of the 2010
People’s Literature Prize, China’s highest literary award - is no stranger to
controversy. A staunch critic of the state, he was prevented from delivering
his acceptance speech at the awards, calling for an end to state censorship,
and was arrested and interrogated in Beijing last year after making a series of
public speeches on the same subject. Despite this, he continues to live in
China and is widely celebrated for his darkly funny tales of contemporary
Chinese urban life. He uses his position as a writer to draw attention to injustices and he is considered a beacon for independent writers and
thinkers everywhere.
About the translator
The translator is the books' publisher, Harvey Thomlinson.
About the translator
The translator is the books' publisher, Harvey Thomlinson.
Details
The English-language translation
is released worldwide today, through Forty-Six Books. Hardback, priced in GBP,
so check local conversion rates. (Price in GBP 14.99)