Wang Shuo grew up in an army compound in Beijing, his family was of Manchu ancestry. When he was an adolescent, his parents were sent to the countryside as part of the Cultural Revolution. He and his brother lived alone in Beijing along with other children of similar background. This period of time is marked by rebellion, fighting and jail. He joined the navy as a medical assistant where he spent four years. He later pursued a career as a writer. Many lines of his works have become the popular slang of the time. Stephen King said of him "Every word Wang says will become the hit on the street tomorrow. He is the most influential icon in China." Recently, Wang turned down an offer from Francis Ford Coppola's production company. In 2007, Wang Shuo became active once again and went on many talk shows. His latest novel sold at three dollars per character, a collective of 3.65 million RMB. This is a record high in Chinese publishing history.

Wang Shuo is described by some traditional Chinese as a 'spiritual pollutant' for his hooligan style of writing. His work describes the culturally confused generation after the Cultural Revolution, marked by rebellious behavior. During the 90's Wang Shuo was the most popular and famous writer in China. Despite his hooligan style, his collected works were never banned and only one film based on his novels was not allowed to be shown in China until 2004, not because of his political stance, but rather due to his style. Wang Shuo is a national bestseller in China and has influenced generations of Chinese readers. With over 20 novels and 10 million copies in print, Wang Shuo's influence ranges from students to workers, and from drifters to intellectuals. His works mark the beginning of a new writing style in China, influencing many new authors. His satire is less of a direct confrontation with the Communist autocracy than it is a mockery of their lack of cool and a statement of utter indifference to any political or nationalistic correctness. The Elite Class Background of Wang Shuo and His Hooligan Characters - Yao 30 (4): 431 - Modern ChinaIn his writing style, Wang Shuo has focused on the "living language" which is spoken by ordinary people in the street. He has also used a lot of the Beijing dialect, which makes his works very vivid and attractive.

Novels

• Wanzhu ???? (1987)

Masters of Mischief, or The Operators

• Lun hui ???? (1988)

Samsara (English title)

• Wanr de jiushi xintiao ????????? (1989)

Playing For Thrills (English Title)

• Qingchun wu hui ?????? (1991)

No Regrets About Youth (English title)

• Xiao shi de nü ren ??????? (1993)

The Vanished Woman (English title)

• Yong shi wo ai ?????? (1994)

Gone Forever with My Love (English title)

• Qianwan bie ba wo dang ren ????????? (1989)

Please don't call me human (English title)

• Yi sheng tan xi ?????? (2000)

A Sigh (English title)

• He women de nüer tanhua. ??????????(2008)

"A conversation with our daughter"

Filmography

As director

• Father (????) (2000)

Screenplays

• The Troubleshooters (????) (1988)
• Samsara (????) (1988)
• No Regrets About Youth (??????) (1991)
• In the Heat of the Sun (?????????) (1994) - based on the novel Wild Beast
• Father (2000) - based on the novel Wo shi ni baba(??????? I am your papa)
• Love the Hard Way (2001) - based on the novel Yi Ban Shi Huo Yan, Yi Ban Shi Hai Shui(?????????????Half flame, half sea water)
• I Love You (?????) (2002)
• Little Red Flowers (???????) (2006) - based on novel "Could be Beautiful"
• Dreams May Come (????????) (2006)