“I Deliver Parcels in Beijing”: Chinese Literary Sensation Reaches the U.S.
Hu Anyan, a former courier turned author, has captured widespread attention with his memoir-style book I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, which delves into the exhausting yet revealing world of package delivery in China’s bustling cities.
From Multiple Jobs to Writing
Over the years, Hu worked in 19 different positions across six Chinese cities. His resume includes selling bicycles, managing a clothing boutique, baking in a local shop, creating 3D architectural renderings, completing night shifts in logistics warehouses, and finally delivering parcels in Beijing.
The Story Behind the Book
Hu’s 2023 publication quickly became a bestseller in China. Through vivid storytelling and candid humor, he portrays the everyday experiences of couriers—workers often seen as replaceable cogs in the engine of China’s massive e-commerce industry. His writing captures the modern worker’s challenges: unstable employment, financial strain, and limited opportunities for advancement.
“Many readers see their own struggles reflected in my story — uncertainty, burnout, and the search for dignity in work,” Hu said.
The Upcoming English Edition
The English translation of the book, prepared by translator Jack Hargreaves, is set to introduce Hu’s voice to Western readers. Speaking to Rest of World, Hu shared his thoughts on technology, the growing presence of automation, and whether machines will one day replace human couriers.
How It All Began
“Around 2009, I was running a women’s clothing store in Nanjing — it was a tough job,” Hu recalled.
That experience, he explains, helped shape his understanding of labor, resilience, and the deeper social issues that inspired him to write.
Author’s summary: Hu Anyan’s journey from courier to celebrated author offers a revealing portrait of China’s working class and questions the role of human labor in an automated future.