First published in 2002, this book tells the untold stories of Chinese women during and after the Cultural Revolution.

Chinese society went through tremendous changes during the 20th century.

The stories of what was happening in the background of historical events like the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward are still being uncovered today.

Xinran is a Chinese journalist, author, and women's rights activist. From 1989 to 1997, she hosted a Beijing radio program that focused on Chinese women's issues.

Xinran spent years traveling China, collecting the stories of women and girls from various backgrounds.

In 2002, Xinran published her first book The Good Women of China, a recollection of the stories she had collected.

The interviews the journalist conducted reflect issues that are still considered taboo in Chinese society, such as homosexuality, infanticide, and gender-based violence.

Because of the subversive nature of her book, Xinran had to move to London in 1997 to publish it, and now works as a contributor for the BBC and The Guardian.