“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, wrote a bestselling memoir about the demanding job of delivering packages. The book shares his life experiences, views on technology, and ideas about the future of work.

Hu Anyan's Work History and Writing

Hu, 46, has held 19 different jobs in six Chinese cities, including selling bicycles, managing a clothing store, working in a bakery, creating 3D architectural renderings, doing night shifts at a logistics warehouse, and delivering parcels. His book, I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, draws from these varied experiences.

Style and Reception

Known for his casual tone combined with vivid details and humor, Hu describes encounters with rude managers, angry customers, and the vast residential areas couriers serve. The book became a bestseller in China in 2023, resonating with readers who recognize challenges like economic instability, reduced social mobility, job insecurity, and unsatisfying work.

Upcoming English Edition and Interview Insights

With the English translation by Jack Hargreaves set to launch soon, Hu discussed his literary path and the future of courier work with Rest of World. The conversation was edited for clarity and length.

“Around 2009, I was running a women’s clothing store in Nanjing, a painful job.”

Hu hopes the book will help American readers understand the lives of couriers and the complexities of the e-commerce industry powered by millions of such workers.

Author's summary: Hu Anyan’s memoir offers a vivid, personal look at courier life in China, highlighting economic challenges and humanizing a vital but often overlooked workforce.

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Rest of World — 2025-11-04