As the Water Rises, So Does the Boat

The novel Rising Tides tells the story of life in the countryside of southern China from the 1970s and 1980s through the early years of Reform and Opening Up. It primarily follows the changing lives and transformations of Xu Ruirong's family and her three younger maternal aunts, their romantic entanglements, and the rich life of Shui Jingsao's family. Shui Jingsao is a country woman who spends her whole life matchmaking for others. Written in plain, humorous language, the novel has a tightly constructed plot, vivid scenes, and a colorful cast of distinctive characters. It's an entertaining and worthwhile read.