In this masterful novel by Liu Zhenyun, we are introduced to the world of Yanjin County through the life of a famous local joke-teller. The narrative brilliantly explores the profound power of humor and storytelling as essential tools for survival and remembrance. This book delves into how jokes and laughter can serve as an alternative historical record and a way to cope with life's absurdities and hardships. Weaving together personal memory, local folklore, and the grand sweep of Chinese history, it questions the nature of truth and the legacy we leave behind.