Chinese Dream

It is the beginning of Xi Jinping's reign and the locals are full of optimism as China has opened up and become more tolerant and wealthier. Simon enters the society finding the manners of the locals delightful and begins to learn the language. English Corner, teaching, relationships, and his rapidly improving Chinese offer him insight into a culture and society that slowly reveals itself as his personal relationships become deeper.

Over time Simon encounters a dysfunctional education system and increasing visa restrictions and censorship, but eventually buys a training centre, marries, and has children, tying him to the country.

By 2016, the first cracks in international relations appear, and over the following years steadily deteriorate. Society becomes less tolerant and foreigners begin to fear being arrested in retaliation for disputes with their home country. They retreat into their private lives, daring not to publicly express their views. Simon's very different upbringing brings him into conflict with his partner as they struggle to reconcile their different cultural backgrounds and world views.

Soon foreigners leave country in droves and the salaries of foreign teachers increase dramatically, while the economy begins to tank under the weight of an oversupply of housing and conflicts with trading partners. Then the Covid-19 pandemic strikes... and the hostilities really begin.

Chinese Dream offers a comprehensive and sensitive view of the changes that have occurred in China between 2013 and 2023. It is a modern historical novel as it is set against a backdrop of a well researched and historically accurate timeline.