Catharine Hughes

Hu Anyan's 2023 nonfiction work, "I Deliver Parcels in Beijing," chronicles his experiences over two decades working in China's low-paid gig economy. Originally stemming from a blog, the book evolved from an online essay about his time in a logistics center. It offers a stark look at the demanding conditions faced by internal migrant laborers, including long hours, intense pressure to meet delivery quotas, and the physical and emotional toll of such work.

The memoir delves into the psychological impact of platform capitalism, exploring how these systems shape workers' identities and behaviors. Hu interweaves personal reflections with broader philosophical observations on freedom, ambition, and the blurred lines between life and labor for those navigating this economic landscape. The book gained significant traction in China, selling nearly two million copies and receiving positive attention from official media, leading to an English translation published in 2025.

The memoir vividly portrays the arduous realities of courier and warehouse employment. Hu recounts twelve-hour night shifts, unpaid trial periods, and the constant struggle against extreme heat. Workers face intense surveillance and economic pressure, often needing to complete a delivery every four minutes to maintain profitability. This relentless pace and demanding environment contributed to Hu's deteriorating health, insomnia, and significant emotional strain. The book doesn't shy away from the physical and mental costs associated with this form of labor, highlighting the precariousness inherent in the gig economy.

A central theme explored in "I Deliver Parcels in Beijing" is the influence of platform capitalism on the lives of its workers. Hu examines how digital platforms and algorithmic management shape not only work processes but also the very identities and behaviors of laborers. The memoir reflects on the ways in which economic systems can dictate individual aspirations and daily existence. It touches upon the limited social protections available to internal migrants and the psychological alienation that can arise from working within these contemporary capitalist structures.

Beyond its factual recounting of labor experiences, Hu Anyan's book incorporates brief philosophical insights. These reflections often center on themes of freedom, aspiration, and the increasingly thin boundary between personal life and the demands of work. The memoir critiques the precarity of gig-economy jobs and the societal structures that perpetuate limited mobility and dehumanizing working conditions for a significant segment of China's population. It offers a nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by internal migrants navigating economic pressures and seeking a better life.