"Published simultaneously in Canada"--T.p. verso.

"First published in Chinese as Shouhuo in 2004"--T.p. verso.

In the bucolic village int he middle of a sweltering summer, it suddenly begins to snow, a hot snow that falls for seven days - seven long days that not only transform summer into winter but that forever disrupt the balance of life. This mystifying that melds fable, history, and satire in an enthralling tragicomedy set in modern day China. Nestled deep within the Balou mountains, by a large spared fromt he government's watchful eye, the people of Liven enjoy harmonius days filled with enough food and leisure to be fully content. But when their crops are obliterated by the unseasonal snowstorm, and with it their livelihood, a county official arrives with a lucrative scheme both to raise money for the district and boost his career. He convinces the village to start a traveling performance troupe show-casing their talents, which are unlike anything he has ever witnessed. Tha majority of the 197 villagers are disabled, and ther skill sets include Blind Tonghua's acute listening, One Eye's one-eyed needle threading, and Deafman Ma's firecrackers on the ear. Witht he profits from this extraordinary show, the county offical intends to buy Lenin's embalmed corpse from Russia - where it is slowly decaying from the lack of upkeep - and install it in the grand mausoleum in the mountains to attract tourism. In the ultimate marriage of capitalism and communism, such an incredible acquisition would benefir the inhabitants of Liven as well as the entire region. However, even the best intentions go astray, and the success of the Shuanghuai County Special-Skills Performance Troupe comes at a serious price.