I Deliver Parcels in Beijing: Chinese Literary Sensation Enters U.S.
Hu Anyan, a former courier, authored a bestselling memoir revealing the harsh realities of delivering packages in China. Having worked 19 different jobs in six cities—including selling bicycles, managing a clothing store, baking, creating 3D architectural designs, and night shifts at a logistics warehouse—Hu finally settled into the courier profession.
At 46, Hu captures his diverse work experiences in I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, written in an accessible style filled with vivid anecdotes, humor, and frank commentary on his encounters with harsh managers, angry customers, and sprawling urban housing complexes.
Published in 2023, the book quickly became popular in China, resonating with readers who recognized the hardships faced by millions of couriers fueling the country's high-speed e-commerce sector. The narrative also touches on broader societal challenges like economic instability, reduced social mobility, job insecurity, and dissatisfying employment.
With the upcoming English translation by Jack Hargreaves, Hu spoke to Rest of World about his writing journey, the future impact of automation on couriers, and his hopes for what American readers will take away.
Writing Origins and Motivation
Hu’s writing began around 2009 while operating a women's clothing store in Nanjing, a role he describes as difficult.
«Я начала писать, когда управлял магазином женской одежды в Нанкине в 2009 году, это была тяжелая работа.»
Author’s Reflection
Hu’s memoir offers an intimate look at the labor behind online shopping convenience, spotlighting the human cost often overlooked in the modern economy.
Summary: Hu Anyan's memoir delivers an authentic portrayal of courier life in China, blending personal trials with a critique of economic precarity and labor challenges in today’s fast-paced market.