How I Lost My Kidneys in China: A Twenty-five Year Overindulgent Odyssey

by Randall Flores

How I Lost My Kidneys in China reveals the true story of Randall Flores, an intrepid explorer who, by chance, studied Mandarin in 1987. Three years later, he made his way to the esteemed halls of Peking University, followed by a two-year stint in Taiwan. After relocating to Hong Kong in 1994, he found employment touring over five hundred factories in fifteen provinces during a twenty-year span. Along the way, zealous factory staff attempted to test his tolerance with grain alcohol called baijiu. One by one, he fought them off to be the last man standing.

When off the job, Randall ran around Asia with a running group called the Hash House Harriers while splitting his time between Shanghai and Hong Kong. But his high-flying adventure took a sharp turn when the hard drinking contributed to the failure of his kidneys. From that point on, he was at the mercy of the socialist health care system of the People’s Republic.

This book will give you a front-row seat to the fast-paced rise of a global superpower while detailing one man’s odyssey as he navigated his way to the top before succumbing to health issues. The story also depicts life working on the supply chain and the perils of that living. It was a journey like no other.

496 pages, Hardcover

Published May 24, 2023

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this, it's actually pretty amazing that the author is still alive and could tell his story. The book covers the time the author spent in China. It begins with him as a young college student looking for an adventure in a country he loves. He seeks out employment so that he can stay, and the majority of the book is a very eye opening account of how business works in China.

From the all day long drinking to excess to the indulgent meals, add on top of that non-stop work and traveling. The author subjected his body to an amount of abuse not many people would survive. And even when his health started to fail at the young age of 30, he continued.

This book is frustrating. How anyone could deal with the serious health issues the author did and not try to make lifestyle changes is beyond me. The book is also enlightening, seeing how China has changed over the years. It's also a look into how the Chinese health system works and how business works in China.

This book is very long, and I do think it would benefit from some editing, as parts were very repetitive. You can only read about the author's multi-day benders so many times. But, it's fascinating and almost like watching a train wreck.... you can't look away.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for learning about the culture of business in China the 1990's and 2000's. Mr. Flores had a dream in college and followed it. Little did he know that his dream would ruin his health. In the 1990's, heavy drinking was the way to do business in China. With 3 hour drinking lunches followed later by drinking dinners just as long, partying until the wee hours of the morning, alcohol soaked his system for years. He was extremely successful in his career in China, but paid a high price. Enter gout and kidney disease, cancer and extremely high blood pressure. Leaving China to save his life was his only option.

I was fascinated reading about life in China for an ex-pat, and the locals he worked with, plus what life was like being married to a Chinese wife. I was appalled by how he kept abusing his body when he knew his health was in danger. It was like watching a train wreck - I couldn't look away. I can only hope his health gets better! I am happy he shared his story so those who will never get to visit China can learn more about it from someone who fully experienced it. #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Andrea Griener · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I Lost My Kidney in China is a harrowing and deeply personal account of one person's unexpected fall into the darker side of medical tourism and human rights violations. This book is a recollection of a raw, honest journey. The storytelling is both engaging and disturbing, while painting a picture of the emotional and physical toll this experience had on them. This is a great read and I would highly recommend it! This book kept me on my toes while also educating me about something I was not aware of. Once you pick this book up, you will not be able to put it down.
#GoodreadsGiveaway.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I won a copy of this book in a giveaway*

Overall this was definitely an interesting read giving insight to what it was like living as an expat. Sometimes it did feel pretty repetitive, and it was incredibly frustrating at times to hear about how much drinking and overindulging he was doing.

[Jordan Manuszak]

An inebriated adventure

Sit back and enjoy the story of China's economic superboom through the eyes of international businessman - Mr. Thunder, a baijiu-drinking force of nature!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story with all sorts of surprising twists and turns. I received this from the publisher. But, I would have purchased it and definitely recommend.

[Heidi Mottin · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating memoir! well done!

Loved this memoir. Unbelievable to hear all of the ins and outs of this man’s life in China. So glad he made it through!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing personal story and a look back at China's transformation. The author is smart, successful, has no regrets and a lifetime of stories to tell. It's a tale of following dreams and enduring the risks and rewards. I enjoyed the read, cringing at the overindulgence and wanting to know how it ended. I won a copy of this book in a giveaway and this review is voluntary.