Women, Seated - by Zhang Yueran (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A novel about the unraveling lives of a nanny and the family she works for following the downfall of its patriarch, a prominent Chinese politician"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A riveting story of a powerful Chinese family's fall from grace

Enter the world of an elite Chinese couple: a life of luxury, wealth, and around-the-clock service, which includes their trusted nanny, Yu Ling. Slipping in and out of the shadows, meticulous in her care of their only son, she has served the family for years and knows their secrets. But little do they suspect that Yu Ling has secrets of her own.

In the pressure-cooker political environment of China, the fates of even the most powerful families can reverse overnight. When the family becomes the subject of a government investigation, their fortunes crumble, and the nanny is left to make a series of life-changing choices. How far will she go to claim her due?

Taut and enthralling, Women, Seated is a high-stakes story of power and privilege, crimes and secrets, and the elusive pursuit of personal freedom.

Review Quotes

Praise for Women, Seated

"Vivid, smart, suspenseful." -Mo Yan, winner of the Nobel Prize

"Women, Seated is a propulsive, tightly wound, and beautifully observed novel that explores ideas of power, secrets, motherhood, and sacrifice. I couldn't put it down." -Meg Wolitzer

"A suspenseful and layered novel...Thanks to Zhang's astute storytelling, characters that first appear to be villains become more complex as the years of disappointment and fractured ambitions that have shaped them come to light. This gripping drama offers an intimate view into contemporary China's class dynamics." -Publishers Weekly

"A tight modern thriller about monied elites and corruption in mainland China...These characters may live in your head for some time due to Zhang's fine pacing and quirky scenes." -Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Zhang Yueran is the award-winning author of several novels written in Chinese, including Cocoon, which was translated around the world and won the Best Asian Novel of the Prix Transfuge in 2019. She lives in Beijing.

Jeremy Tiang is a prolific translator whose 2022 translation of Ninth Building, by Zou Jingzhi, was longlisted for the International Booker Prize. He lives in New York City.