Growing up in 1990s China, in a village where failure to observe the rigidly enforced one-child policy is deemed tantamount to a crime, Chen Di must fight to get the education she craves in a world in which boys are prioritized. Following her mother's untimely death, 16-year-old Chen Di's thirst for vengeance against those she holds responsible brings about her transformation from a gutsy, marginalized child into an aikido-practising young woman who braves Shanghai. A startling illumination of the ripple effect of the authoritarian regime's policies still being felt today, this moving debut is perfect for readers of The Beekeeper of Aleppo and A Thousand Splendid Suns.

"An epic debut, full of ambition and personality. Shi Naseer has given us a heroine for the ages." - Nikita Lalwani, author of YOU PEOPLE

"Gorgeously written, poignant, and propulsive, The Cry of the Silkworm could only have been written by a Chinese native who experienced first-hand the horrors of China's one-child policy. A gripping debut. I couldn't put it down." - Nancy Crochiere, author of GRACELAND

"A revelation - a hard plunge into a roiling China, a thriller and spiritual journey, a deeply felt story about the broken and the beautiful. These settings: they're rich, scented, spellbinding. A haunting debut from a remarkable new writer." - Bill Beverly, author of DODGERS

"A suspenseful debut, set in China during the one-child policy, about a powerful young woman making her way in a male-dominated world." - Eve LaPlante, author of AMERICAN JEZEBEL

"A sweeping narrative that explores the complexities of family dynamics, societal pressure, and the resilience of love amidst adversity. Chen Di, our intrepid protagonist, confronts numerous hurdles with remarkable strength, compassion, and a fierce determination to persevere." - Weike Wang, author of CHEMISTRY

"A stunning debut novel. Shi Naseer has crafted a tale that is both impossible to put down, and written so beautifully with such well drawn characters that I knew it was special from the moment I read the first page." - Ella Carey, author of PARIS TIME CAPSULE

"In this riveting, action-packed novel, Shi Naseer takes us from Shanghainese longtangs to Sichuan's fields and canyons, her skilful prose making the impact of the one-child policy visceral and deeply human: we feel the ache of families and the cruelty of deeply entrenched gender norms through our the eyes of bright, pugnacious Chen Di and her rebellious, melancholy urban counterpart Lin Feng. A tale of revenge becomes a mystery of interwoven fate and unexpected parallels, all while examining the intellectual, social, and familial intricacies of citizens responding to life under an uncompromising rule." - Aube Rey Lescure, author of RIVER EAST, RIVER WEST