Xinran in Brighton | “The Book of Secrets: A Personal History of Betrayal in Red China”
We are delighted to announce that award-winning journalist and international bestselling author Xinran Xue will appear at Kemptown Bookshop for an evening talk and Q&A on her latest work, The Book of Secrets: A Personal History of Betrayal in Red China. The event will conclude with a book signing.
About the Book
The Book of Secrets tells the extraordinary story of Jie, a military intelligence officer, and his wife Moon. Drawing on a recently discovered archive of diaries and letters, Xinran weaves together a narrative that unveils both the hidden world of intelligence in modern China and the devastating emotional toll that political extremism inflicted on those within it.
From Jie’s youthful embrace of the Communist Party in the 1950s, to his rise as a loyal cadre, and the fateful decision he made in the late 1970s that fractured his family, this book traces a life caught in the shadows of power. The story also reflects on the Tiananmen Square massacre and Jie’s attempts to push for openness in a system resistant to change.
It is a rare, behind-the-scenes portrait of betrayal, loyalty, and survival—both a deeply personal family history and a lens into the political machinery of 20th-century China.
About the Author
Xinran is a British–Chinese author, journalist, and broadcaster. Her first book, The Good Women of China (2002), became an international bestseller, bringing to light the untold stories of Chinese women. She has since published several acclaimed works, including Sky Burial, China Witness, and The Promise, which was shortlisted for the Society of Authors Translation Prize.
In 2004, Xinran founded The Mothers’ Bridge of Love (MBL), a charity dedicated to connecting children from China with families and communities around the world, and building greater understanding between China and the West.
Event Details
📅 Date & Time: Thursday, 25 September 2025 · 7:00–9:00 pm
📍 Venue: Kemptown Bookshop, 91 St George's Road, Brighton BN2 1EE
🎟 Tickets: Available via Kemptown Bookshop’s Eventbrite page. Refunds up to 7 days before the event.
Don’t miss this chance to hear Xinran discuss her spellbinding new book, ask questions, and meet the author in person.