Under the Red Flag by Ha Jin is a collection of short stories set in rural China during the Cultural Revolution. The book explores the harsh realities and absurdities of life under communist rule, highlighting how ordinary people navigate political oppression, personal conflicts, and moral dilemmas. With a mix of dark humor and poignant realism, Ha Jin portrays the impact of authoritarianism on human relationships and individual identity. The stories are unified by their setting in the fictional Muji City and offer a critical yet empathetic glimpse into a turbulent period of Chinese history.
Winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for short fiction.
