Secrets and Siblings: The Vanished Lives of China’s One Child Policy

by Mari Manninen, Mia Spangenberg (Translator)

Thirty-two years ago Mrs Li and Mr Wu from Zhejiang abandoned their second baby daughter at a marketplace. Mrs Wang Maochen from Beijing has seven children, but six of them are illegal so they could not go to university, could not take a job, go to the doctor, or marry, or even buy a train ticket. Zhao Min from Guangzhou first learned about the concept of a sibling at university, in her town there were no sisters or brothers.

With the Chinese government now adapting to a two child policy, Secrets and Siblings outlines the scale of its tragic consequences, showing how Chinese family and society has been forever changed. In doing so it also challenges many of our misconceptions about family life in China, arguing that it is the state, rather than popular prejudice, that has hindered the adoption of girls within China.

At once brutal and beautifully hopeful, Secrets and Siblings asks what the state and its children will do now that they are becoming adults.

Genres: China, Nonfiction, Adoption, Asia

240 pages, Hardcover

Published December 15, 2019

Reviews

[Xiao Jiang · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I was meh about the author being a white woman but realized that this book was likely only written because of her privilege. I kept crying for people that I've never met and likely will never meet, but it felt like I was learning a piece of my history as someone who was born under the One Child Policy in China and was affected by it in my own way.

[Tracey P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as research intensive as Mei Fong's books on the same topic but still full of fascinating insight. Gives a solid glimpse into the affect of the one-child policy on women and girls.

[Rachel Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

An insightful book. The author gives a great understanding, through true stories, about one child policy in China, which has always seemed unreal to me.