A Stone Is Most Precious Where It Belongs

A Memoir of Uyghur Exile, Hope, and Survival

By: Gulchehra Hoja

Narrated by: Sarah Suzuk

This extraordinary memoir shares an insight into the lives of the Uyghurs, a people and culture being systematically destroyed by China—and a woman who gave up everything to help her people.

In February 2018, twenty-four members of Gulchehra Hoja's family disappeared overnight. Her crime – and thus that of her family – was her award-winning investigations on the plight of her people, the Uyghurs, whose existence and culture is being systematically destroyed by the Chinese government.

A Stone is Most Precious Where it Belongs is Gulchehra’s stunning memoir, taking us into the everyday world of life under Chinese rule in East Turkestan (more formally as the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China), from her idyllic childhood to its modern nightmare. The grandchild of a renowned musician and the daughter of an esteemed archaeologist, Gulchehra grew up with her people’s culture and history running through her veins. She showed her gifts early on as a dancer, actress, and storyteller, putting her on a path to success as a major television star. Slowly though, she began to understand what China was doing to her people, as well as her own complicity as a journalist. As her rising fame and growing political awakening coincided, she made it her mission to expose the crimes Beijing is committing in the far reaches of its nation, no matter the cost.

Reveling in the beauty of East Turkestan and its people – its music, its culture, its heritage, and above all its emphasis on community and family – this groundbreaking memoir gives us a glimpse beyond what the Chinese state wants us to see, showcasing a woman who was willing to risk not just her own life, but also that of everyone she loves, to expose her people’s story to the world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Gulchehra Hoja (P)2023 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

"We said ‘never again’ after millions of Jews were killed in the Holocaust, but here we are in 2023 and another genocide is taking place in front of our eyes of the Uyghur people in China. Gulchera Hoja bravely exposes this new holocaust perpetrated by the Chinese communist party in her brilliantly written book, A Stone is Most Precious Where It Belongs. Her story is one of immense sacrifice to expose the truth. As a reporter for Radio Free Asia, Ms. Hoja was one of the first people to expose the Uyghur concentration camps in Xinjiang and as a result, her entire extended family were rounded up and imprisoned on those same camps. The suffering of the Uyghur people that she documents is a must read. We owe Gulchera Hoja an enormous debt of gratitude to bear witness and share this horrifying story."—Bill Browder, New York Times bestselling author of Red Notice

“A Stone Is Most Precious Where It Belongs is a brave and brilliant book. It is a window into topics ranging from efforts to maintain Uyghur culture in the face of suffocating propaganda in Chinese state media through to the opportunities and agonies of exile. But most gripping is Gulchehra Hoja’s willingness to share not just her story but herself—humor and humility, pain and love and faith.”—Sophie Richardson, China Director at Human Rights Watch

"Gulchehra’s story, and her work to shed light on the Chinese Communist Party’s genocide of the Uyghurs, has been carried out at a high price. This book offers a valuable look at the experiences that led to her dedicated journalism, and her fight to preserve and live out Uyghur culture."—Nury Turkel, author of No Escape: The True Story of China’s Genocide of the Uyghurs

Beautiful

Beautiful memoir. Eye-opening, educational, and heart breaking. Gulchehra has done a very important thing for her community by writing this book, despite the risks and potential retribution. Her courage is unmatched.

Educational and Inspiring

Great narrator, helpful in understanding the Uyghur people, their desperate situation and their strength.

incredible heartbreaking.

This is an incredible and heartbreaking story of a genocide that as being perpetrated by the Chinese communist party current day. Right now, millions of Uyguur people Are locked away in concentration camps, tortured, and eventually killed. Please the world Hass to do something about this. May God be with these poor people. And may Xi Jinping burn in hell next to Adolph Hitler.

Uyghur Tragedy

A most excellent book/story of the tragedy befalllen upon the Uyghur people due to the inhumane treatment by the CCP. The world should be conscious of this tragedy.

Fascinating personal account

After reading the book, I was captivated by the dynamic story of a woman who exemplifies determination and a fierce desire to uncover the truth. What struck me the most was the protagonist's unwavering drive and resilience in the face of adversity. The experiences shared throughout the book are incredibly impactful and thought-provoking. This is a must-read for anyone who is passionate about human rights and social justice issues. Overall, I highly recommend this book for its powerful message and the compelling storytelling that brings it to life.

Utterly fantastic

The definition of a must read. The audiobook version is impeccable! Will never ever forget about her life story.