Book Review: Brothers: A Novel by Yuhua (Part 1)

It’s rare to come across a novel that makes you ache for every character—not just the protagonists, but even the ones who brush past them briefly. This story did exactly that. For the first time, I found myself yearning to know the endings of all the characters, regardless of their role. That’s how cleverly this book was written.

Spanning over four decades, the plot follows two boys—Baldy and Song—from their childhood into their 40s. They begin as stepbrothers, brought together by the remarriage of their parents: Baldy, the son of a widow, and Song, the son of a widower. Their early years are spent together, but their personalities couldn’t be more different.

Song is the quiet, thoughtful one. He reads, writes beautifully, and carries the weight of responsibility with grace. Baldy, on the other hand, is street-smart, brash, and resourceful in ways that both amuse and alarm. One unforgettable scene describes teenage Baldy peeping into a toilet and later turning the scandal into a storytelling performance that earned him 56 bowls of noodles from amused villagers. It’s crude, yes—but it’s also a testament to his survival instincts.

Their fathers’ stories are equally gripping. Song’s father, a university graduate and teacher, was full of promise until the Cultural Revolution turned his world upside down. Once a proud supporter of the movement, he was persecuted for his landlord lineage and ultimately killed while resisting arrest. His fall from grace was witnessed by both boys, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

As the boys grow, their paths diverge. Song marries the village beauty and remains grounded, while Baldy, once a young factory manager, leaves in search of a bigger world. His venture fails—not for lack of ambition, but for lack of connections and bribe money, a harsh reality in post-revolution China. When Baldy hits rock bottom, Song shares his food coupons and lunch, quietly supporting his brother until his wife, Ling Hong, intervenes. She insists they can’t carry Baldy forever, and Song, torn between loyalty and obligation, severs ties.

Years later, the tables turn. Baldy becomes the richest man in the village, while Song battles respiratory illness. Ling Hong, once adamant, now urges Song to seek help from Baldy. But the bond has been broken, and the silence between them speaks louder than words.

What makes this book extraordinary isn’t just the plot—it’s the emotional architecture. Every character is crafted with care, and their choices ripple through time. You feel their struggles, their desires, their quiet defeats. You see yourself in them.

This isn’t just a story about two men. It’s a mirror held up to life itself—how our upbringing shapes us, how relationships evolve, and how the decisions we make in moments of pressure define our future. It’s about loyalty, pride, guilt, and the haunting question: What would I have done?

If you ever come across this book, don’t just read it. Feel it. Let it pull you into the lives of Baldy and Song, and when you emerge, take a moment to look inward. You might just find a piece of yourself in their story.