Author shines light on plight of migrant workers (2)

When Liang traveled to Qingdao, Shandong province, she found only one child in a factory compound that is home to 2,000 couples.

Instead of finding a wife in their workplace, ideal spouses are those who come from the same hometown. And the ideal age to get married is under 25.

In a match-making experience Liang documented, a 20-something villager has to decide on his future wife over the four-day Chinese New Year holiday when he returns home.

"He would meet different girls in turn, talk about his earnings, lie about his family home (he doesn't have one) and settle everything before he leaves for work after the New Year," the author writes.

With personal stories she collected in 10 cities from more than 50 fellow villagers, Liang says it's the "fragmented country life existence they lead" that she sought to portray.

Her new book shows how they live their lives, earning money, throwing weddings, raising children and attending funerals.

The book is not the author's first attempt to document the country's rural reality.

Liang's first book, China in the Liang Village, features stories of those left behind, including undisciplined children who are growing up only to leave the village. The book was published to rave reviews in 2010.

"We're not just reading about the Liang village, we're reading a book on today's China," says Shi Zhanjun, critic and editor-in-chief of People's Literature.

Author Yan Lianke, who is known for his work on rural life, says Liang's two books are "rescuing the country's non-fiction".

"Thanks to Liang's books, we have a direct link with reality," he says. "The books show real love and caring for the group."

The author sums up the situation of this group of people: "The migrant workers are at a loss. On their own, they won't reflect on their place in the society."

"My mission is making their life known. I want to show the complexity of their existence."

The country has 250 million migrant workers, and they share the same woes, hopes and painful lives as the Liang villagers, the author says.

Going Out of the Liang Village is not yet available in English but a Japanese translation is under way.

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