Life as a film extra in Beijing might seem hard, but Fenfang won't be defeated. She has travelled 1800 miles to seek her fortune in the city, and has no desire to return to the never-ending sweet potato fields back home. Determined to live a modern life, Fenfang works as a cleaner in the Young Pioneer's movie theatre, falls in love with unsuitable men and keeps her kitchen cupboard stocked with UFO instant noodles. As Fenfang might say, Heavenly Bastard in the Sky, isn't it about time I got my lucky break?

Longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize.

Xiaolu Guowas born in south China. She studied film at the Beijing Film Academy and published six books in China before she moved to London in 2002. Her books includeVillage of Stonewhich was shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize,A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Loverswhich was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction,20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youthwhich was longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize, andI Am Chinawhich was longlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction. In 2013 she was named as one of Granta's Best of Young British Novelists. Xiaolu has also directed several award-winning films includingShe, A Chineseand a documentary about London,Late at Night. She lives in London and Berlin.