Description

Sisters Three, Five and Six don’t have much education, but they know two things for certain: their mother is a failure because she hasn’t produced a son, and they only merit a number as a name. Women, their father tells them, are like chopsticks: utilitarian and easily broken.

But when they leave their home in the countryside to seek their fortune in the big city, their eyes are suddenly and shockingly opened. Together they find jobs, make new friends, and learn more than a few lessons about life…

Publisher Review

Respect for honour and tradition, wicked humour and a vital social message combine in an appealing yet sometimes shocking read * Guardian * The story remains engrossing, and when Xinran turns her attention to the frenetic streets and history of Nanjing, her own beloved hometown, the prose truly comes to life * Daily Mail * This mood of hope, as both inspiring and ultimately attainable, is what makes Miss Chopsticks such an uplifting read * Financial Times * Xinran's tale will likely play on the mind for years to come * Big Issue * Xinran's skill lies in investigating the universal human thoughts and emotions behind the girls' naivety * Observer *