'One of those rare geniuses who finds in the peculiar absurdities of his own culture the absurdities that infect all cultures.' * Washington Post * 'Yan Lianke speaks to the agitation and absurdity of human existence, and the unquenchable need to believe in a cause greater than ourselves.' * Jessie Au, author of Cold Enough for Snow * 'Picaresque, but with serious matters of faith, love, and political wrangling at its fast-beating heart.' * Kirkus Reviews * 'Intriguing satire...[Yan Lianke's] barbs against organised religion frequently hit their targets...[T]here is plenty to admire.' * Booklist *