“I Deliver Parcels in Beijing”: Chinese literary sensation reaches U.S.

"I Deliver Parcels in Beijing": Chinese Literary Sensation Reaches U.S.

Hu Anyan, a former courier turned writer, gained fame with his book I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, which vividly depicts the demanding life of a delivery worker in modern China. Now, the book is arriving in the United States in English translation by Jack Hargreaves.

From Courier to Author

At 46, Hu has worked 19 different jobs in six Chinese cities. His career path has been diverse — selling bicycles, managing a clothing shop, baking, creating 3D architectural models, and working night shifts in logistics before becoming a courier. These experiences became the foundation of his memoir-like book.

“Readers connected deeply with stories of couriers — the people behind China’s high-speed e-commerce system, often treated as replaceable,” Hu explains.

The Stories That Resonate

Hu’s writing, described as accessible and humorous, recounts encounters with harsh managers, frustrated customers, and vast urban housing blocks. When the book was released in 2023, it became a bestseller in China, resonating with those facing job insecurity, social stagnation, and the pressures of modern work.

Looking Toward the Future

As his book prepares for its English-language launch, Hu reflects on technology’s impact on labor and whether automation could replace human couriers. He hopes readers abroad will understand more about the resilience and struggles of China’s working class.

“Around 2009, I was running a women’s clothing store in Nanjing — a painful job,” Hu recalls when asked how he began writing.

Author’s Summary

Hu Anyan’s journey from courier to acclaimed writer offers a candid view of China’s invisible workforce and the costs of economic transformation.

Rest of World — 2025-11-04