Novelist urges Europeans to read more Chinese literature

A lack of familiarity with Chinese literature among Europeans is preventing people from developing a better understanding of Chinese culture, according to an award-winning Chinese novelist.

Su Tong, the winner in 2009 of the Man Asian Literary Prize and author of the acclaimed book Wives and Concubines, which was adapted into the Oscar-nominated movie Raise the Red Lantern, said Chinese readers are aware of European writers but Europeans tend not to notice Chinese books.

He said Europeans are interested in the Chinese economy and the nation’s politics but have, so far, failed to pay attention to its writing.

Su said there has been a lot of turbulence in Chinese history, which provides rich material for Chinese novelists.

Su has written seven novels and more than 200 short stories.

His other books that have been translated into English include Rice, Binu and the Great Wall, The Boat to Redemption, and Madwoman on the Bridge and Other Stories translated by Howard Goldblatt.

Su said Chinese stories are still well worth reading, despite having been translated.

“There is still a sense of the story through the translator’s interpretations,” he said. “Some words maybe changed or even taken out to make it better to understand.”

The Chinese author is currently working on his next book, but admitted it’s been a difficult process that has lasted five years. He said he still has “no idea when it could be finished”.

Su is in the United Kingdom for the China in Context book festival in London’s Chinatown, which celebrates the best writers and writing with a China connection.

“Western readers are more interest in China’s politics and society and not so much intrigued by literature,” Su said.

He hopes events such as the China in Context festival will help break down barriers in communication and generate interest in Chinese books.

Su said his favorite non-Chinese writers are the Colombian Gabriel Garcia Marquez and the Portuguese Jose Saramago. He said European readers wanting to try Chinese literature should check out Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin and Call to Arms by Lu Xun. He said the authors Shen Congwen, Mo Yan, Yu Hua, Jia Pingwa, and Zhang Ailing are also well worth reading.

Louise Chapman, the program and partnerships manager at the China Exchange, said: “By exploring China’s rich literary tradition, the diverse work of Chinese writers, and writers who write about China, China in Context introduces audiences to new ideas, encourages them to think differently, and makes sense of what the future will look like in an increasing globalized world.”