This book investigates the complex interplay between cultural norms and psychological well-being within Chinese society. Arthur Kleinman, an expert in medical anthropology and psychiatry, draws upon extensive fieldwork and existing research to explore how concepts of normalcy and abnormality in behavior are shaped by cultural context. The work aims to provide a nuanced understanding of mental health as it is experienced and expressed within Chinese culture, challenging Western-centric diagnostic frameworks.

This work is recognized as a foundational text in the cross-cultural study of mental health, particularly concerning East Asian societies. Its detailed ethnographic approach and critical engagement with diagnostic categories have been influential in shaping anthropological and psychiatric discourse. The book is valued for its rigorous analysis and its contribution to understanding the cultural specificity of psychological phenomena, offering a vital perspective for clinicians and researchers alike.