''Dream of Ding Village'' () is a 2006 novel by the Chinese writer

Yan Lianke Yan may refer to: Chinese states * Yan (state) (11th century – 222 BC), a major state in northern China during the Zhou dynasty * Yan (Han dynasty kingdom), first appearing in 206 BC * Yan (Three Kingdoms kingdom), officially claimed inde ...

. The 2011 English translation by Cindy Carter, published in the UK by Grove Press, was shortlisted for the

Independent Foreign Fiction Prize The ''Independent'' Foreign Fiction Prize (1990–2015) was a British literary award. It was inaugurated by British newspaper ''The Independent'' to honour contemporary fiction in translation in the United Kingdom. The award was first launched i ...

. It is a story based on the blood sales in rural Henan province that sparked a major AIDS crisis in China. After the first edition sold out, it was banned—no more copies can be printed in China. Yan Lianke has stated in interviews that the book could have been better if he had not been self-censoring himself to ensure it could be published. This ban is said to have been lifted in 2011. In 2011, a film adaptation of this novel named ''

Love for Life ''Love for Life'' (), also known as ''Life Is a Miracle'', ''Til Death Do Us Part'' and ''Love for Live'', is a 2011 film directed by Gu Changwei and starring Zhang Ziyi and Aaron Kwok. It was Gu's third film as director after a lengthy career a ...

'' was released in China, which is directed by

Gu Changwei Gu Changwei (born 12 December 1957) is a Chinese cinematographer and film director. Gu was born in Xi'an, Shaanxi in the People's Republic of China. Gu is considered one of the major Chinese cinematographers working today.Zhang, Yingjin & Xiao, Zhi ...

and stars

Zhang Ziyi Zhang Ziyi (; ; born 9 February 1979) is a Chinese actress and model. She is regarded as one of the Four Dan Actresses of China. Her first major role was in '' The Road Home'' (1999). She later gained international recognition for her role in ...

and

Aaron Kwok Aaron Kwok Fu-shing (born 26 October 1965) is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. Active since the 1980s, Kwok is known as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Hong Kong pop music. Dubbed the "God of Dance", Kwok's onstage dancing is influenc ...

Characters

* Ding Qiang – young 12 year old boy. Qiang was poisoned and died in the very beginning of the novel. The entire story is narrated through his point of view. * Father (Ding Hui) – blood kingpin of Ding village. One of the few characters who did not contract HIV. Ding Hui becomes very successful, and eventually assumes the position of Chairman of the County Task Force. * Uncle (Ding Liang) – Ding Hui's brother. * Grandpa (Ding Shuiyang) – Teacher and custodian at the local school. * Tingting – Uncle's wife and eventual ex-wife. * Lingling – wife of Ding Xiaoming (Uncle's cousin). Later Lingling divorces her husband and marries Ding Liang. * Zhao Xiuqin – main cook at the school. * Ding Yuejin and Jia Genzhu – residents who eventually take over the school and the official village seal. * Ma Xianglin – musician who performs for the village while they wait for the supposedly new HIV medication. * Li Sanren (ex-mayor). * Sister (Yinzi) – eventually moves out of Ding Village with her mother.

Reception

'' Kirkus Reviews'' stated that it was "A sorrowful but captivating novel about the price of progress in modern China." – Print date: November 1, 2010

Translation

References

2006 Chinese novels Book censorship in China Novels about HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS in China Novels by Yan Lianke Novels set in Henan {{2000s-novel-stub

Characters

Reception

Translation

See also

References