“Bleak reality confronts the Chinese dream in Yan Lianke’s gruesome, gripping novel, The Day the Sun Died” – SCMP review (Aug 1 2018)

“The comparison between ancient and modern China is a little too close for comfort, and perhaps explains why the novel has not been published (yet) on the mainland despite winning the Red Chamber Prize. Yan Lianke’s criticisms, however, extend beyond his homeland’s borders. Time and again, Niannian reminds us that Gaotian’s dark dream has enveloped “the entire world”.