Ninth Building
| Author | Zou Jingzhi |
|---|---|
| Language | Mandarin Chinese |
| Publisher | Open Letter Books (English) |
Publication date | April 11, 2023 |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | 978-1-948830-75-1 |
Ninth Building is a novel by Zou Jingzhi. Originally written in Mandarin Chinese, it was translated to English by Jeremy Tiang and published by Honford Star in 2023.[1]
Described as a "doculiterary" work, the novel was longlisted for the International Booker Prize, making Tiang became the first Singaporean ever nominated.[2][3]
Critical reception
The New Yorker, in a briefly noted review, observed that the book consisted of "fictionalized connected vignettes" and "sharp childhood recollections."[4]
Open Letters Review, dubbing the novel an instance of Chinese "scar literature," called it "a harrowing depiction of boyhood during the Cultural Revolution."[5]
References
- ^ Shaffi, Sarah (2023-03-14). "International Booker prize announces longlist to celebrate 'ambition and panache'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- ^ "Jeremy Tiang is first Singaporean to make International Booker Prize longlist with Ninth Building". The Straits Times. 2023-03-15. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- ^ "'Ninth Building,' Translated by Professor Jeremy Tiang, Longlisted for the International Booker Prize | School of the Arts". arts.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- ^ Yorker, The New (2023-07-24). "Briefly Noted Book Reviews". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- ^ Gill, Kiran (2023-04-19). "Ninth Building by Zou Jingzhi". Open Letters Review. Retrieved 2026-02-28.