Set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Dai Sijie's enchanting novel follows two city boys, Luo and Ma Jian, who are sent for re-education to a remote mountain village. Their monotonous life takes a thrilling turn when they discover a hidden suitcase full of forbidden Western literary classics, including works by Balzac and Flaubert. They secretly read these books and use them to captivate and educate the beautiful Little Chinese Seamstress, the daughter of the local tailor. The story explores the transformative power of literature, the clash between tradition and modernity, and the enduring spirit of love and friendship amidst oppressive political landscapes. It's a poignant, humorous, and deeply human tale about finding freedom through knowledge.