China. In the Year of the Tiger by Bernard Wolf.

Macmillan, 1988. First edition, 1st printing in hardcover, fine in black cloth with near fine dust jacket that has just a trace of shelf wear and no other signs of use.  Experienced photojournalist Bernard Wolf, who previously published many books for children and contributed photos to adult publications such as Fortune magazine, spent three months living in Ai Shan in Yang Shuo county in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, 1,500 miles south of Beijing.  He documented the lives of the people and events that took place in this thousand-year-old village. Wolf concentrated on photographing the Chen family and the tasks each member performed to help the family survive and flourish. Wolf attended a wedding feast, went to school with the children, experienced the autumn rice harvest, and learned how the Communist Party impacted Chinese village life through attendance at a town meeting. 124 pages with numerous photographs interspersed throughout Wolf's text. Summary:

In the Year of the Tiger (1988) is a vivid photo-documentary that captures the daily rhythms and cultural transition of China during the late 1980s. Written and photographed by Bernard Wolf, the book focuses on the life of a single family in the village of Chen Men, providing a human-scale perspective on a nation then undergoing rapid economic and social change.

Core Narrative

The book follows the Ai family through a lunar year (the Year of the Tiger). By narrowing his lens to one family, Wolf illustrates the broader complexities of Chinese life during the "Reform and Opening-up" era. Key themes include:

• The Rural-Urban Divide: The story captures the traditional agricultural practices of the village contrasted with the growing influence of modern technology and education.

• Family Structure: Wolf documents the interplay between three generations living under one roof, highlighting the tension and harmony between ancient Confucian values and modern aspirations.

• Cultural Rituals: The book provides detailed visual accounts of seasonal festivals, communal labor, and the specific educational paths of the Ai children.

Photographic Style

Bernard Wolf utilizes a candid, immersive style that prioritizes intimacy over sweeping political statements.

• Fly-on-the-Wall Perspective: The photographs capture unguarded moments—meals, chores, and quiet reflections—that make the subjects relatable to a Western audience.

• Rich Visual Detail: Using vibrant color photography, Wolf emphasizes the textures of the Chinese countryside, from the earthen walls of the village homes to the bright silks of festival attire.

Key Information

• Published: 1988 by Macmillan.

• Target Audience: Originally published as an educational book for young adults and students, it has since become a valued historical document for its "time capsule" depiction of pre-industrialized rural China.

• Significance: It is noted for its empathetic approach, avoiding the "exoticizing" tropes often found in Western photography of Asia, and instead focusing on the universal nature of family and hard work.

Summary: In the Year of the Tiger is a poignant, ground-level portrait of China. Through the eyes of the Ai family, Bernard Wolf transforms a massive geopolitical entity into a tangible, deeply personal story of resilience and change.