I Deliver Parcels in Beijing

by Hu Anyan, Jack Hargreaves (translator)

Authentic and humorous first person account of one worker’s daily life in the huge system that is the Chinese gig economy. The system could crush you unless you, as the author, have a slightly philosophical look on everyday life. A bestseller in China in 2023 with over 160, 000 copies sold, 400,000 ebooks read, and 1,360,000 audio versions downloaded. Also sold for local publications in 15 territories.

In 2023, I Deliver Parcels in Beijing became a literary sensation of the year in China. The story of a worker doing odd jobs in various anonymous mega-cities, Hu AnYan’s voice hit a nerve with a generation of young Chinese who feel at odds with an ever growing pressure to perform and succeed.

Hu started posting essays about his experiences online during COVID lockdowns. His recollection of night shifts in a huge logistics center in the South of China went nights so hot that even drinking three liters of water does not require a toilet break; colleagues going for KTV instead of trying to get a few hours' sleep; where are the affordable rooms with proper air conditioning, and what is the best amount of alcohol in order to sleep but not feel drowsy a few hours later? 

The work is brutal, and there is no real sense of future in sight. But Hu is armed with a deadpan sense of humor and a strong idea of self, he moves on when he feels from logistics in the South to delivering parcels in Beijing, over to other odd jobs, all the while also discovering the power of reading and writing.

A unique first person portrait of a society we never hear from but everyone has opinions about and benefits from.

Genres: China, Nonfiction, Memoir, Asian Literature, Chinese Literature, Society, Contemporary

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2023

Reviews

[The Reading Lantern · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative glimpse into gig work in a changing economy, living in the in-between where labour laws are nowhere to be seen. The writing is really simple, which makes it a quick read, but sometimes I do wish it had gone a bit further to add a little depth at times. I also wish that the author had a little more to say about the larger frameworks that create and profit from inhumane working conditions.

Overall, really interesting and worth a read but the writing (in the English translation at least) can be a bit clunky, making it an awkward read despite how simple it is.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

虽然书名起的是在北京送快递，但作者的快递工作在他的打工生涯里只是短短一个片段。即使从事的多是以提供劳力为主的服务行业，作者敏锐地观察并积极思考着无产阶级打工者和其工作的关系，其中包括劳资关系，管理层的管理水平，职场人际，客户管理，工作对人的异化，等等。无论是蓝领还是白领，天下打工人同是天涯沦落人。无论在工作里是否能实现自我价值，生命的丰富度是无法用八小时定义的。正如作者的经历，读书写作与思考让他的人生比很多人都有厚度。

[Alice YC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chronicle of working class life under China's particular form of capitalism - written with astonishing clarity and skill. Can't wait for the English translation if it's not a bestseller I shall be very disappointed in this world

[Xiyi · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10。
也许是很有现实意义的一本书，但是在我眼里这更是一本牢骚满腹的私人日记，如果少点牢骚、用更 tactful 的方式来讲述故事也许会更深刻吧。

[Leo]

täysin nollatiedoilla kiinalaisesta yhteiskunnasta varustetulle lukijalle kiinnostava, lähinnä yhden ihmisen näkökulmasta avautuva kuvaus nykytyöläisen arjesta valtavan koneiston rattaissa

näkökulmaltaan usein suppea, mutta rivien välistä kyllä aukeaa myös laajempi kuva

[Phoenix2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

'I Deliver Parcels in Beijing' is a biography about a man who worked many jobs, including delivering parcels.

The first part of the book was actually quite good and interesting to follow. It was more cohesive as well.

After the first two chapters, though, the story was a bit messy. It had its moments, but it wasn't as good as these first chapters.

The writing style, moreover, was honest, and it felt raw and realistic.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book reads very smoothly. Every sentence provides more details about the author's 19 odd jobs—the environment, his coworkers, his thought processes behind every decision, another person that comes in and out of his life—but you read through it effortlessly. Every sentence and paragraph is interlinked with the clarity of a dissertation, so somehow, despite the entirely non-chronological way the story is told, you always know where each new piece lays. It's the type of Chinese book that will most likely never get translated into English but you want all your American friends to read.

[Bloss ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this for its snapshot into toxic job culture and how that manifests in China. This isn't an easy read, but I found it so interesting. This was everything I wanted No Such Thing As An Easy Job to have been!

I'm not convinced that the decision to tell Anyan's story out of order was the right one. I got a bit turned around timeline-wise a few times. But, what bothered me the most was realizing that while Anyan had incredible self-awareness and perspective at times, he kept making the strangest people-pleasing/internalized capitalist decisions in the courier jobs (that came after the later chapters). He kept saying he changed and that he wasn't such a pushover anymore, but I didn't see much evidence of that in his actions. I liked Anyan as a character. He was so easy to root for and I got so frustrated by how he didn't stand up for himself!

The pacing was pretty solid up until the final section which had a lot of pontifications about life, fulfillment, and jobs. I could've appreciated this if it had been bolder; but, despite everything he endured with these awful jobs, Anyan didn't take a stronger stance in his reflections and the book ended on a paltry note. It also kinda just tapered out where this reader would've loved to know what Anyan was up to now!

I appreciated the translation (and translator's note). This book had such a strong sense of place and I think the translator made the right decision in not watering down the elements that may not have had a direct translation.

Huge points for: likeable main character, a glimpse into Chinese job culture, translation

I had my request to review this book approved by Allen Lane / Penguin on NetGalley.

[Eva Pu · Rating 5 out of 5]

微博上一个关注的图书编辑推荐的，阅读的过程十分愉快，作者是个观察能力强，记录也很勤勉的人，让我想起何伟就是随身带着笔记本，才写下很多旅途中的观察便于创作。有些时候甚至觉得有点翻译腔，像是在读外国作家的中译本，想来是作者多年闵读习惯的影响。
结尾提到的伍尔夫那篇读后感真的是精谁总结了这本书、 这位作者、这位作者的生活方式的灵魂：一个心中有理想，纯真且自尊的劳动者和追梦人，站在生活庞杂与污浊的十字路口，顶天立地，头颅高昂。

[Lena Reads Everything · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young worker drifts through a series of exhausting odd jobs, from night shifts in southern logistics centers to parcel delivery in Beijing. Along the way, he endures grueling conditions, fleeting camaraderie, and the constant struggle to find rest and stability in anonymous mega-cities. Through it all, he develops a sharp humour and turns to reading and writing as a way to make sense of his life.

This book, first published in China in 2023, offers an eye-opening and deeply personal perspective on the realities of China’s work culture in the years leading up to COVID. Through AnYan’s candid storytelling, we’re taken inside the grind of countless odd jobs and shown how, despite the different industries, the workplace politics were almost always the same.

What struck me most was how universal his experiences felt: the mix of colleagues who genuinely cared and built solidarity, those driven purely by money and self-interest, and others content to coast by doing the bare minimum.

I really enjoyed the personal realisation as well that AnYan had at the end of how he should have stood up for himself and be true to his values, thought there were times he compromised.

The writing is at times dense with details, but I found that only made the narrative more authentic and grounded. Far from being a dry recounting, it felt like an unfiltered window into the lived experience of an ordinary worker navigating a demanding, often unforgiving environment.

Fascinating, relatable, and full of insight, it reminded me that, no matter how consuming or brutal a role may feel, at the end of the day a job is just a job. 3.75/5

Thanks to Astra PublishingHouse and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Available on the 28 October 2025.

[Resh (The Book Satchel)]

I Deliver Parcels for a Living by Hu Anyan, transl by Jack Hargreaves is a thought provoking memoir of a gig worker in China, told with dead pan humor. There were scenes that felt very moving (one being when a woman did not receive her parcel and inturn questioned the delivery person for leaving it in a secure place in the building). Sometimes the pain of the situation is delivered with humor. The book showed how there aren't many alternative career paths for the gig worker, how they are exploited, how they often go out of the way to complete tasks (sometimes with no monetary benefit). It also talked about the frustrations accompanying the job and how they would sometimes try to take revenge (not literally; more like an outlet for frustrations), and also how as time goes by, they just give up on the idea of getting back at a rude customer and just go about the rest of their tasks. While the book gives a lot of info on how the gig worker functions, I was disappointed to not know more about what goes inside their head or how they feel (something which I assumed from the title, would be part of the book). The first person account is quite an eye opener about the perils of the capitalist system and how gig workers earn their living.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own
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[touko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ended up being a very comfy read. Some people might find this dry, which I can totally understand, but it's exactly my kind of content and format, so I loved it. It was a bestseller for a reason. It was a breeze to get through, and it felt like listening to the anecdotes of a friend. I don't know the language to be able to compare the original text to this translation, but I found no issues with it, and it was a smooth read.

My favourite section was the one about working at the bicycle store because the way Hu AnYan describes Y makes her seem like such a fascinating person. Truthfully, I could have read a whole book focusing on experiences from that single job alone.

I didn't think this book would leave me with any kind of deep message or takeaway. I was already aware of how underpaid and undervalued courier workers can be, albeit not in China specifically. However, in the latter half of the book, I saw myself so clearly in Hu AnYan, also having social anxiety and being a fellow chronic people-pleaser. So, seeing him reflect on the opportunities he passed up on just to avoid conflict made me reflect on the way I conduct myself in my own life. I also liked the way he went about this and how he was sympathetic and understanding to his past self and the choices that he made, but without being self-pitying.

Thank you, NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the ARC.

[Melanie Galea · Rating 4 out of 5]

arc | "I Deliver Parcels in Beijing" is a candid and insightful memoir that chronicles Hu Anyan's extensive work history, spanning 19 jobs in nearly 20 years. With humor and resilience, Hu shares his work experiences - offering a rare and valuable look at the life of the working class in China.

The book is more than just a recollection of jobs; it is a powerful critique of the frustrations inherent in low-skilled labor, from difficult customers to the larger pressures of capitalism. Hu's honest self-reflection on his own low points adds a layer of depth and relatability. For the reader, what might begin as escapism quickly becomes a sobering look at the reality of grueling work conditions and the constant struggle for a better life. Despite a slightly padded ending, this eye-opening account reveals the dehumanizing aspects of such work and offers a perspective that is seldom heard.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating insight into a world I know very little about, in a country I have never been to. The stories of tricky customers and frustrating bureaucracies are entertaining and interesting but also underscore the author’s point about how dehumanising ‘low skilled’ work can be. I read this book in two days because I found it so interesting and engaging. I gave it 4 stars not 5 only because I felt it tailed off towards the end, with the author padding the book with some of his previous writing. But apart from that, it’s a really unusual chance to spend some time visiting a life I’ve never really considered before.

I received a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Henry Devitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the biggest page-turner but did learn a few interesting things about delivery companies in Beijing (I promise that's more interesting than it sounds). Pretty simple memoir so great book for improving your Chinese

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into the gig economy in China. Delivering packages in a small area in a large city, does not sound fun. Although, I would love to drive a trike.

I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.

[Athena A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

[2.5] As someone who is currently job searching, this book was both inspiring and anxiety-driving / exhausting. Super long-winded at some points. Versatile king. I’m glad this got translated.

Thank you NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the ARC.

[Irena · Rating 5 out of 5]

很久没有读完一本书，也很久没有读到让人想一口气读完的书了。喜欢看不同的人的生活的故事。希望人能有重生的机会，不要那么艰难，也希望自己能过上好的生活，做着自己喜欢的工作，不用为了做一份工作只是为了生存。

[Zhou · Rating 4 out of 5]

讲述了在很多人眼中近乎隐形的那种生活。
从过度的自我关注中解脱出来，看见身边的人，看见这些我没有尝试理解过的生活。

[Parade]

真诚，真实！
没有卖弄文笔、辞藻，真诚地剖析着自己，软弱，会对不公沉默，老实，不敢争取自己的利益，觉得自己不配，还有各种心理感受——离职之后觉得世界美好，被工作变得暴躁……简直就是我的心声写照！
作者也同样在真实地记录着平均线以下的我们所面对的社会，把物化人、消费主义横行的社会，有自己的思考，虽然并不新鲜，但胜在没有说教。

[Liên]

A personal account of 19 odđ jobs over ~20 years: cashier, bike shop staff, jobs in comics publishing, 北漂 rock-loving wandering artist, bakery apprentice, small F&B business owner, warehouse worker, delivery driver etc.

This book is part anthropology field notes, part memoir, and reads like a slice of history at times. The writing is plain, but honest and noticeably lacking in bitterness. Couldn't help the occasional sigh.

[Mayble · Rating 4 out of 5]

开始被这本书吸引主要是好奇快递员的工作和生活是什么样的，但是看到后面真正感触的还是作者文笔中透出的自身的性格和视角。看待一切事物的抽离的视角，和看待自己内省的视角，在这忙碌又娱乐的时代是很难得。书尾有一段话是伍尔夫对某位夫人自传的书评，我不记得这位夫人的名字了，但大概也无妨。这段让作者感动的话也让我无比感动：“无论是在她游荡的日子里，这种游荡是一种家常便饭，还是在她失意的岁月，那些失意都很伟大。这种精神、教养和勇敢在她短暂一生的最后日子里，让她能够谈笑风生，能够在心死之时喜欢她的鸭子及枕边的昆虫。”
理想、自由和信念，如果在追求，得不到并无妨，甚至也许得不到更好。它们是我们生命的支点，而不是内容。

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: I Deliver Parcels in Beijing: One Man’s Quest to Speak the Truth about the Global Gig Economy by Hu Anyan (Translated by Jack Hargreaves)

Rating: 4.7/5

Reactions & Emotional Impact
Hu Anyan’s memoir is a visceral, darkly humorous punch to the gut—one that lingers long after the last page. As someone fascinated by labor economics, I was unprepared for how deeply this book would unsettle me. Hu’s unflinching account of sweltering warehouse shifts, algorithmic tyranny, and the Sisyphean grind of gig work oscillated between rage-inducing and darkly comedic. His description of chugging three liters of water without a bathroom break (because stopping meant penalties) left me physically tense, while his wry musings on “calculating the exact alcohol-to-sleep ratio” revealed a resilience that borders on poetry. This isn’t just a memoir; it’s a manifesto for the invisible workforce powering our “convenience” economy.

Strengths
-Unfiltered Authenticity: Hu’s prose—translated deftly by Hargreaves—reads like a late-night confession, blending raw vulnerability with biting satire. His voice is neither victim nor hero; he’s a witness refusing to look away.
-Global Resonance: While rooted in Beijing’s delivery lanes, the book exposes universal gig economy horrors: algorithmic exploitation, wage theft, and the illusion of autonomy. Comparisons to Nomadland and Nickel and Dimed are apt but undersell its originality.
-Literary Alchemy: Hu’s pivot to writing as salvation transforms the narrative from despair to defiance. His journey from exploited worker to viral storyteller is a masterclass in reclaiming agency.
-Cultural Bridge: The book demystifies China’s gig economy for global audiences, challenging stereotypes about Chinese work ethic with humanizing nuance.

Constructive Criticism
-Structural Gaps: Deeper context on China’s labor laws/platform regulations could help readers grasp systemic forces (though Hu’s focus on lived experience is deliberate).
-Translation Hiccups: A few idioms land awkwardly (e.g., air-conditioning wars might confuse non-Chinese readers); footnotes could enrich cultural references.
-Gender Blind Spot: Hu’s male perspective leaves room for exploring how women navigate gig work’s added precarities (e.g., safety risks).

Final Thoughts
This book is a lightning rod for our era—a testament to how storytelling can weaponize lived experience against systemic erasure. Hu Anyan doesn’t just deliver parcels; he delivers truth with a smirk and a middle finger to the algorithm.

Gratitude:
Thank you to Astra Publishing House, LTD and Edelweiss for the gifted copy—this is the kind of bold, necessary storytelling that reshapes discourse.

Why 4.7?
Docked slightly for missed structural analysis, but I Deliver Parcels in Beijing is a near-perfect blend of memoir, critique, and dark comedy. A must-read for labor scholars and anyone who’s ever tapped “order now.”

[Tintaglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vent'anni di lavori, inanellati uno dopo l'altro, da una parte all'altra della Cina; un'economia instabile, in cui anche le nuove generazioni sono inconsapevoli dei loro diritti e incapaci di farli valere, anche a scapito della loro salute fisica e mentale.
L'autore scrive un'autobiografia lavorativa, sincera per quanto possibile (e lui stesso mette le mani avanti, facendo presente che la sua stessa visione può influenzare il ricordo o la percezione di eventi e luoghi), anche nel presentare le sue difficoltà psicologiche, sfociate in un periodo di autoreclusione di tre anni - anni felici, in cui si è sentito veramente libero, e in cui si è dedicato alla scrittura.
C'è da dire che in questa angosciante sequela di lavori (diciannove, e quello di corriere è solo l'ultimo - corriere, anzi, per compagnie differenti) l'autore non ha mai fatto niente che volesse fare davvero, per cui sentisse interesse o inclinazione, che abbia mai "cercato"; e nell'interessante spaccato di vita quotidiana e cultura cinesi che presenta inconsapevolmente una delle cose che mi ha colpito di più è come tutti cambino lavoro, campo, tipo di investimento in un batter d'occhi, e come si lancino a fondare piccole imprese senza avere la più pallida idea di come fare, a partire da ricerche base di mercato. Tutti si lanciano nel mondo del commercio o degli affari alla ricerca della miniera d'oro, ma con un'incoscienza che anche a me, che sono completamente ignorante in materia, lascia allibita.
E, allo stesso tempo, non esistono specializzazioni; si passa dalla redazione di una rivista al commercio di biciclette al fare il corriere all'aprire un negozio di cibo da asporto senza soluzione di continuità, non andando dove porta il mercato o l'esperienza, ma dove porta l'occasione, o l'invito di un conoscente. E allo stesso modo si cambia città, quartiere, regione, mai radicati, mai stabilizzati. Mi ha dato una sensazione di ansia simile a quella provata leggendo Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century, anche se nella vita dell'autore è in un certo senso una scelta, e nel suo nomadismo non c'è la logica che sottintende quella dei nomadi lavorativi del saggio di Jessica Bruder; l'autore vaga eternamente alla ricerca di una situazione che lo soddisfi, ma senza trovarla. O scappa da situazioni lavorative che diventano troppo pesanti emotivamente e fisicamente per lui, ma solo quando è arrivato al limite.
E' da ammirare la lucidità con cui guarda indietro e riconosce le sue pecche, i suoi errori, le sue motivazioni, e tutta la strada (metaforica, eh XD) che ha fatto nel conoscere sé stesso.
Spero che trovi pace, e un angolo interiore che finalmente lo soddisfi.

[The_Reading_ Rabbithole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to @astrahouse @astrapublishinghouse for accepting the ARC request on @NetGalley. This title is out on 28 October 📘
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I flew through this book! It’s an easy read 👌
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If you liked 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷 or 𝓡𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓵 𝓟𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓦𝓱𝓸 𝓓𝓸𝓮𝓼 𝓝𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 (both Japanese) then this might be for you. It’s a similar vibe in that our author is unconvinced of capitalist salaryman ambitions, yet he’s encumbered with the Chinese societal expectation to do well and must put in crazy hours just to get by 🇨🇳
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It’s a diary-like account of a dude who’s trying his hardest to survive on basic wages. He slogs through 19 jobs in as many years, many of which are thankless, mundane, and isolating. He struggles with mental health as a result ❤️‍🩹
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The meat is in the first few chapters. The behind the scenes view of an Amazon-like warehouse packing at night was eye opening. And the courier experience in Beijing critiques the bureaucracy of getting a job and the demanding customers. It makes you reflect on how you treat service people and whether that same-day delivery is really necessary?! 📦
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The latter chapters are a myriad of jobs from convenience store to bicycle salesman to security guard. We also glimpse his desire to become a writer and his love of literature that helps escape reality. It became somewhat repetitive here and Im not sure what I gained from knowing every role 🤷‍♀️
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The books was a sensation in China when it was released and I wonder if I would feel more connected to it had I recognised the brands he was talking about. Likewise, unless readers have been to a Chinese megacity like Beijing or Shanghai I’m not sure the book portrays the vastness of space or denseness of population from the writing alone 🌏
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Overall, it was OK. I think it would make a good speedy audiobook 🎧

[Kinga · Rating 3 out of 5]

„I Deliver Parcels in Beijing” is an autobiographical account of the author’s experiences working in different jobs in China. The premise of the book is fascinating, especially from a Western perspective, because it offers a glimpse into a world so different from what many of us would consider “normal.” Reading it made me reflect on how much hardship people face in different parts of the world simply to make a living—how often they must sacrifice their physical and mental well-being, and how employers exploit that vulnerability in order to profit from their workers’ need to survive.

I believe this story is important and worth telling, as it sheds light on issues that deserve more attention, with the hope that someday the world might move toward greater fairness and dignity for all workers. That said, I do think the book could have been constructed a little more effectively. It would have benefited from the author sharing more of his personal background and allowing readers to connect with him on a deeper level. For me, the narrative sometimes lacked cohesion and context; it felt more like a straightforward recollection of events rather than a reflective memoir. As a result, it came across as somewhat flat, missing the additional layer of personality and emotional depth that could have made the story truly powerful.

Overall, while I found the book thought-provoking and valuable for the perspective it offers, I wished for a stronger structure and more personal insight from the author. It’s a book that raises important questions, even if it doesn’t always deliver the depth I was hoping for.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Arista Publishing House for approving my request to read „I Deliver Parcels in Beijing” in exchange for an honest review.

[Annie Yang-Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

真实最摄人，真诚最动人。用作者自己的话来回顾这本初见其貌不扬读卒令人难忘的书：

“在我看来，只要是认真度过的日子，最后都不会没有意义。这个时候假如亚历山大大帝来问我需要什么，我也会说，别挡我的光线就好。

我已经不像年轻时那样，总是惶惶地想向别人证明自己，甚至故意去吃亏，生怕别人怀疑我表里不一。因为我意识到自己想讨好所有人的冲动是盲目和徒劳的。每个人都会以己度人，你永远无法让一个不真诚的人相信你的真诚。反之，你根本没必要向一个真诚的人证明你的真诚。

卑贱的人如果心怀不满，就只会欺负别的卑贱的人，因为反抗权势是要吃苦头的。如果实在是谁也欺负不了，那就只能去虐待动物了。人们常常说，爱情是盲目的。但在我看来，爱情恰恰最不盲目、最不功利、最忠于本心。相反，仇恨才是盲目的。

我发现当一个人表现得无私时，别人回报他的往往不是友善，而是加倍的贪婪。…… 只要涉及利益，人和人的关系就不会简单。…… 无私是一种高尚情操，但或许并不是做人的基本原则。

我意识到，大多数人都只能从自己的角度，而不能从别人的角度看待问题。我的胸怀并没有宽广到吃亏也毫无怨言。我心里也会积累不满和怨气，然后变得厌烦和憎恨。假如不想继续吃亏，我要不就变得和大多数人一样，互相纠缠——你自私我也自私、你贪心我也贪心——这样就谁也占不了谁的便宜了；要不就选择和所有人保持距离。

在我一厢情愿的美好想象里，这个世界的运转依靠的是公平合理、巨细靡遗的规则，而不是人情。人和人之间不需要建立任何交情，只要共同遵守规则，就可以高效地处理各种事情，每个人也可以过得舒适自如。

我不相信什么报应，有些事情的发生只是内在规律的作用，虽然看起来很像是报应。

我的生活中，无论是工作、生意还是感情方面，都充满了挫折和痛苦。我在一套我不适应的价值系统里寻求肯定，然后不断地失望和失败。当然，我不能把失败的原因都推到外部环境上。只是我也没必要寻求别人的认同。我应该做我喜欢和擅长的事，比如说写作。

一个人可以非常乐观，同时又非常悲观，这并不矛盾。人的精神形式是复杂的，有时甚至是复调的，可以有多段旋律同时在奏响。

他们 [很多送餐员] 在北京用所有的时间来挣钱，其中的艰辛可想而知，是什么在他们生活的另一面吸引他们，令他们甘愿为之付出？或许这个问题在不同人身上有不同的答案。假如说，工作是我们不得不做的事情，是我们对个人意愿的让渡，那么与此相对的生活的另外部分，就是那些忠于我们意愿的、我们想做的事情和追求——无论其内容为何，我在这里暂且先称之为自由吧。

当我在打工的时候，我很少想到自由。可能因为我默认了不工作才是自由…… 所谓的自由，实际上在于你能意识到什么，而不在于你享有什么。…… 其实我想说的自由，是一种建立在高度发展的自我意识上的个人追求和自我实现，是一个人真正区别于另一个人的精神内容。我觉得假如更多人向往这种自由，世界将会变得更多样化、多元化，更平等和包容，更丰富和多彩。因为向往自由，人们才会有不同的追求，而不必总在狭窄的独木桥上互相倾轧。就如基因对环境的适应力建立在其多样性之上一样，社会整体的幸福感则建立在人们的精神多样性之上。此外，我认为就如莱辛说的：追求真理比占有真理可贵。自由的情况也一样，或许它可望而不可即，或许我终生都无法抵达它，但这并不要紧，因为对它的追求比对它的获得更可贵，而且这对所有人乃至整个世界来说都很可贵——它就像理想和信念，是我们生命的支点，而不是内容。…… 实际上，通过写作我在一定程度上超越了打工和自由的对立：在有限的选择和局促的现实中，我越来越感觉到生活中许多平凡隽永的时刻，要比现实困扰的方方面面对人生更具决定意义。…… 事实上，今天我对自己所有的打工经历，只怀有感激和怀念，没有丝毫的不满和怨忿——我承认曾经有过，但已经全部放下了。因为从更多的生活经验中，我逐渐认识到，怀着怨恨的人生是不值得过的。”

[Strong Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

This eye-opening book provides a vivid portrayal of the author's journey through various jobs at the lowest levels of society. His experiences offer a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by those who, lacking a good university degree, must navigate a life that often resembles a jungle devoid of ethics. The struggle to maintain humanity in such an environment is poignantly depicted.

The author’s narrative reveals the immense pressure and emotional toll exerted by a society where one must be aggressive, cold-hearted, defensive, and shameless just to survive. His account reminded me of my own experiences. When I first left university, I briefly worked for a small company where we engaged in unethical practices. At the time, I did not even question these actions. Fortunately, I left that behind.

One striking aspect of the book is the author's lack of awareness of the profound impact that societal pressures had on his mental health. He believed he was merely being melodramatic, yet his experiences suggest otherwise. This highlights a broader issue: in his country, mental illness often appears to be a luxury afforded only to the middle and upper classes who can access therapy. For everyone else, suffering is often blamed on personal shortcomings.

Additionally, the author is not entirely innocent; he admits to actions that would be considered unethical in many societies. This adds a layer of complexity to his story, showing how the harsh environment can push individuals to compromise their own moral standards.

Finally, he never questions why he ended up in such dire circumstances. This omission is perhaps more telling than any of the stories he recounted.

[Faïza · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I didn't want to lose my life to work. My approach was to try to be kind with myself."

I stumbled upon this book after reviewing the English translation of Jo Kyung-ran’s Blowfish which will soon be released by the same publisher. The (beautiful) cover and title instantly drew my attention. A few days later, I think I’ve learned a bit more about the harsh reality of work in China through the struggles of Hu Anyan. Writing this text clearly served as a time of deep retrospection for him, and I did find it engaging for the most part. It’s fascinating how he was able to do so much, all those years, despite his introvert nature. Being a resilient worker with a lot of self-restraint surely helped—still, having the courage to try different jobs in order to see where you fit is no easy thing. Unexpectedly, I also found him somewhat relatable at times.

What we can take from this memoir is universal, as the author rightly points out. Nonetheless it would probably be a more enjoyable read for those who know Beijing/Shanghai and Chinese companies better—my own knowledge ended at WeChat and Taobao. Additionally, I don’t know if it’s due to censorship in his home country or not, but it sometimes felt like Hu didn’t go far enough in his observations. It could be frustrating, the way he constantly excused everyone else’s behaviours (even if his personality might have something to do with that). I also sort of lost interest towards the last chapters, though the overview of Laetitia Pilkington’s life was a nice way to sum up his own journey.

Thanks to Astra House via NetGalley for the ARC!

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Deliver Parcels in Beijing is an account of the various jobs held by one Chinese man, exploring the gig economy in China and what it means to make a living. There are chapters focused on being a delivery driver and working at an unconventional bike shop, as well as one documenting every job he's had and his trajectory through them.

This isn't the sort of book I would usually read, but I was interested to find out more about precarious work in China after having read other people's accounts of work there. The first few chapters tell gripping accounts of delivering packages and the traps that people fall into when trying to make a living, like constantly having to pay for extra things to be able to work. It really shows how capitalism wears people down. Later on, there's a chapter that jumps back to the start of Hu Anyan's working life, documenting each of his jobs in order and showing how the earlier chapters fit into that timeline. I found this part a bit more disorienting, as there wasn't as much time to go into depth, and it felt a bit confusing why there was this chronological section after much later parts, time-wise.

This book is insightful, if a bit disjointed to read, offering a look at one man's employment history and the details that make up his work days.