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Exploring themes of exile and political dissent, this collection features forty-nine new poems by Bei Dao, a prominent Chinese poet known for his powerful voice in dissident movements. Written in the United States, the poems are characterized by complex imagery, sudden transitions, and subtle political references, incorporating elements of bureaucratic language and slang. The work has drawn comparisons to poets like Paul Celan and Cesar Vallejo, reflecting a unique approach to capturing the weight of contemporary experience. Translated by Eliot Weinberger and others, it marks a significant addition to Bei Dao's oeuvre.