The writer Yan Lianke, filial devotion and changes in China.

Originally published on Rue89, 7/4/2010.

Invited to attend last march the Paris book fair : the Chinese writer Yan Lianke, who is well known to readers of Rue89. Yan Lianke is 52, he was born into an illiterate peasant family in the western Henan province. A career in the Army allows him to escape a life as a farmer and provided a university education. His books brought him as many literary prizes as problems with … Lire la suite

Interview with Yan Lianke.

Originally published on Rue89 31/10/2009.

Sometimes banned and sometimes award-winning, Chinese novelist Yan Lianke is a matter of controversy in his own country. Again with his latest release “Lenin with Love” (a French translation of “The joy of living” ) his favorite, in which he plays around with the symbols of communism and consumer society, in short with the contradictions of modern China. He has just presented his book in Paris where we could meet … Lire la suite

After two novels banned, Yan Lianke wins the Lu Xun award.

Originally published on Rue89 01/03/2009

Editions P. Picquier have just published a third book by Yan Lianke, “The Days, the months, the years”. His previous books “Serve the People” and “The Dream of Ding Village,” published in China in 2005, had been banned; and the last one has received the Lu Xun prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards.

Is the “hero” of the book the grandfather, his dog or growing corn?
“The Day … Lire la suite