Wandering Stragglers
Wandering Stragglers by William Yu, published by FriesenPress on June 9, 2022, is a poignant exploration of identity and love. This 342-page novel delves into the life of Xiao Wei, a member of China’s “Forgotten Generation,” who grapples with the aftermath of Mao’s Cultural Revolution and the societal pressures that force him into a life of secrecy. Set against significant historical events, including the Tiananmen Square massacre, the narrative unfolds as Xiao Wei meets Ming, another married man navigating the complexities of their hidden desires.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of themes, including the struggles of LGBTQ+ individuals in a repressive society and the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees. Wandering Stragglers presents a narrative filled with longing for true love and freedom, while also reflecting on the internal conflicts and mixed emotions that arise from leaving one’s homeland. This edition offers a deep dive into the characters’ lives as they confront their realities and dream of escape, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature and LGBTQ+ romance.
Official synopsis Publisher
Xiao Wei is lost, in more ways than one. A member of China’s “Forgotten Generation,” survivor of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, he finds himself at a Central Committee Meeting one year after the Tiananmen Square massacre. There, he meets Ming. Both married men with children, they struggle with living double lives. Suppressing their homosexuality due to social pressure, forced into marriages neither wants, they long for true love and freedom. Can they escape China, flee overseas?
Set against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, the collapse of apartheid in South Africa, the never-ending global tides of immigration, and Canada’s paradoxical attitude toward newcomers, Xiao Wei’s story is one of love, loss, and perseverance in the face of incredible adversity.
Wandering Stragglers reflects immigrants and refugees’ romantic and sometimes unrealistic dreams, internal struggles, and mixed feelings about their native land and new home.
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