A beautifully written, timeless tale by Cao Wenxuan, bestselling
Chinese author and 2016 recipient of the prestigious Hans Christian
Andersen Award.
Sunflower is an only child, and when her father is sent to the rural
Cadre School, she has to go with him. Her father is an established
artist from the city and finds his new life of physical labor and
endless meetings exhausting. Sunflower is lonely and longs to play with
the local children in the village across the river. When her father
tragically drowns, Sunflower is taken in by the poorest family in the
village, a family with a son named Bronze. Until Sunflower joins his
family, Bronze was an only child, too, and hasn't spoken a word since he
was traumatized by a terrible fire. Bronze and Sunflower become
inseparable, understanding each other as only the closest friends can.
Translated from Mandarin, the story meanders gracefully through the
challenges that face the family, creating a timeless story of the trials
of poverty and the power of love and loyalty to overcome hardship.