I’ve read several books about China so I can better understand the country. Most of the books focus on historical context or political perspective. They were helpful and worth reading.

But China in Ten Words gives me a much deeper appreciation of the people. Written by the acclaimed writer Yu Hua, the author identifies ten key words and provides a perspective on how those words describe China today. Some of the words are what you might expect: Leader and People, for instance. But some of the words will make you smile: Copycat and Bamboozle, for instance.

Each word becomes the basis for a chapter wherein Yu Hua goes into the psychology of the Chinese citizen and the sociology of the culture. It’s really brilliant and a great way for a newbie to grasp the complexity and nuance of China. I’d recommend this book to anybody who wants to understand the country, or for anybody who plans on visiting China. It’s really that good!