This is a universal love story, a family saga, and a journey through Chinese history, myth, and culture. Following a young Chinese couple as their love grows, and is tested, during Mao's Cultural Revolution, this novel provides a rare and personal glimpse into the birth modern China. When the Kitchen God is challenged by the Jade Emperor to fathom the workings of the human heart, he chooses to follow the life of Jinyi and his wife Yuying, from their blossoming love until their old age, in hope of finding an answer. The Kitchen God watches as the new government strictures split their family in two, living inside their hearts as they they endure the loss of two children, homesickness, and isolation, all while keeping alive a love that survives famine, forced labor, and even death. Weaving together the story of their life with China's recent political history, as well as traditional folktales and myths, the Kitchen God illuminates the most impenetrable aspects the human condition.

Originally published: Great Britain : Polygon, 2010.

1946-year of the dog -- 1942-year of the horse -- 1944-year of the monkey -- 1947-year of the pig -- 1949-year of the ox -- 1951-year of the rabbit -- 1960-year of the rat -- 1967-year of the sheep -- 1974-year of the tiger -- 1977-year of the snake -- 1981-year of the rooster -- 2000-year of the dragon -- Year of the cat.