This was my 3rd reading. It is better each time. Quest, redemption, clever clever wordplay, an utterly flawed main character, essentially a story of hope. The book is universal in its thoughts and aspirations. The Radiance inspires and forgives. Everyone should read this!!!

Yu Hua forces us to know his characters; we like them, we root for them, we understand them. They persevere and persevere again and again. All of them accept who they are and make lemonade. Hardships, death, and estrangements happen but they merely delay,he doesn't let them become showstoppers. Yu is exemplary in developing families, villages, and relationships - he uses this ability to explore, power privilege and the lack of both.

An extraordinarily piece. Informative and devastatingly insightful. This novel should be as influential as Huckleberry Finn. A good read.

Stunning. Breathtaking. Developed characters. Destiny, fate, a man overwhelmed by fate, hope and desire. A rocky, treacherous, and unforgiving journey.

Insights and penetrating insights abound.

A great read - I'm sending out 8 copies. This book is in my top 6 and I will reread it annually.

What a book!!!!!

To Live is a celebration and treatise on the ordinary, the ones who twist and writhe in the hands and whimsies of fate and circumstance - an antidote to our American exceptionalism. He rises again and again and again accompanied with tears, duty, and the hope of the affected for his progeny's tomorrow.

He buried so many and carried many . You have to like Fugui. He doesn't win - he does better - he persists and continues.

How many stars can I give? Double it. Phenomenal. Author develops thorough complex characters with brevity. Book causes one to laugh out loud awkwardly and frequently.
A labyrinth with a sure footed guide. This is writing and should be required reading. I've sent 8 as gifts, my previous high was 3.