Hi, I'm Lovar Burton and this is Lovar Burton Reads.

In every episode I handpick a different piece of short fiction and I read it to you.

The only thing these stories have in common is that I love them and I hope you will too.

Y'all, the best way I can think to describe today's story is that it is a journey.

It's called The Nine Curse River and it was written by the author RF Kwong. RF or Rebecca

is a 24-year-old writer and scholar. She's written two novels, The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic

and she's been nominated for a slew of awards. She won the Outstanding Award for Best New

Writer at the Hugo's just a few weeks back. Rebecca has a master's degree in Chinese studies

from the University of Cambridge, no less. And even more impressively, she's currently pursuing

a master's and contemporary Chinese studies at Oxford University, researching nationalism and ideology

in modern Chinese fiction. Her next novel out in November is called The Burning God.

Now this story of hers appeared in the anthology The Book of Dragons,

the story is about two sisters embarking on a journey together to a market city and all we

understand at the beginning is that this day is an extremely important life changing day for them

both. But we end up plumbing the depths of sisterhood of jealousy, of guilt, and sacrifice.

The story is told in the second person, older sister speaking to her younger sister,

and I would love for you to think about why the older sister is on this trip, whether this was

her choice or a duty she is fulfilling. Please check out the written content advisory in the

episode description if you are so inclined and or concerned. And if you're ready then let's

take a deep breath.

And begin.

The Nine Curves River by RF Kwan.

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