Red Poppies


Red Poppies: A Novel of Tibet is a 1998 Chinese novel by the Tibetan writer Alai, whose theme is based on the Tibetan custom and traditions. The novel consists of 12 chapters with a total of 481,000 Chinese characters. It won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2000.

Summary

The novel set in Ngawa, Sichuan chronicles the stories of a Tibetan Tusi and his family from 1920s to 1949, which gives a general introduction to the economic development in Ngawa, the territorial disputes among Tibetan chieftains and the fights for throne succession.

Main characters

Family of Tusi Maiqi

Comments by the selection committee of the Mao Dun Literature Prize: "The novel narrates from a unique viewpoint, with a rich connotation of Tibetan culture. A slight of fantasy enhances the artistic expression. The writing style is light, charming and poetic".

Adaptations