A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers

by Xiaolu Guo
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What happens when a Chinese girl adrift in Britain falls for an Englishman adrift in life: a funny, sexy, romantic novel

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Synopsis

Twenty-three-year-old Zhuang (or Z as she calls herself) arrives in London to spend a year learning English. Struggling to find her way in the city, and through the puzzles of tense, verb and adverb; she falls for an older Englishman and begins to realise that the landscape of love is an even trickier terrain...

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Editorial Reviews

"An utterly captivating, and disorientating, journey both through language and through love" - Boyd Tonkin, Independent

"Guo uses her minimalist messed-up prose not just to tell an affecting coming-of-age story but to ask deep questions about the real differences between Chinese and British culture and language" - Independent on Sunday

"Funny and charming...more than a love story; its psychology is politically acute, and things noted lightly in it linger in the mind" - Ursula K Le Guin, Guardian

"It is impossible not to be charmed by her matter-of-factness. As the story grows in complexity with Z's growing vocabulary - the narration acquires fluency and tenses almost imperceptibly - it is equally hard not to be impressed by Guo's vivacious talent" - Sophie Harrison, Sunday Times

"This is a troubling, humane, and emotionally provocative novel which possesses the unusual quality of forcing the reader to think" - Claire Kilroy, Irish Times

"A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers is an intriguing, funny and unusual novel about what gets lost in translation" - Sally Kinnes, Herald

"Charming, bittersweet novel...compelling...The culture clash...is beautifully drawn and utterly convincing...A memorable take on East meets West" - Jane Housha, Daily Express

"An uplifting novel with moments of great poignancy and pathos" - Tatler

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