#104 Finding a place in the future: China Mountain Zhang (1992) by Maureen F. McHugh

Maureen F. McHugh published her debut novel China Mountain Zhang in 1992 and it went on to win multiple awards. An impactful social science fiction story, the book is set in a 22nd century world in which China is the dominant superpower. Zhang Zhongshan is a young, gay construction engineer in New York City, trying to make his way in a world where his sexuality could land him in prison, or worse.

McHugh's book is an attempt to write what she called an "anti-SF novel". Unlike most of the genre, it has a main character who has little to no ability to change the world around him, let alone to save it. This episode looks at how successful McHugh was, and what makes China Mountain Zhang remain relevant over 30 years after its first publication.

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