For all UK-based colleagues, if you’re free on the following dates we’d love to have you!
Dong Xi 东西 (Pen name of Tian Dailin 田代琳) award-winning author (Mao Dun Prize, Lu Xun Prize) will be touring the UK for the upcoming launch of his newest book in translation Fate Rewritten (篡改的命) (Trans: John Balcom).
London – 26th July – Living A Stolen Life – Dong Xi in Conversation with Susan Trapp
Fri 26 Jul 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM at Charing Cross Library
https://buytickets.at/sinoistbooks/1287210
Edinburgh- 31st July – The Price of Tomorrow – Dong Xi in Conversation with Jenny Niven
Wed 31 Jul 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Abden House, University of Edinburgh
https://buytickets.at/sinoistbooks/1294053
ABOUT THE BOOK
Translated from Chinese and due to be published in English on 25th October 2024. It’s a Dickensian novel giving voice to China’s 300 million-strong migrant workforce, Telling a harrowing story about the conditions they live in, what drives them, and how it can go horribly wrong.
With many parallels to labour conditions found globally, Yu Hua (author of To Live and Chronicles of a Blood Merchant) described the novel as “What is important is how Dong Xi uses vigorous language to depict vigorous oppression and vigorous resistance”
- A raw, direct examination of the human costs and social problems of a supposedly meritocratic system breaking down
- A revealing look into the life of the large, hidden underclass of undocumented migrant workers in China
- Vividly depicts the struggle to survive in a gripping series of twists and turns – often shocking, but sympathetic to its much-suffering protagonists
Fate Rewritten – Dong Xi (Trans: John Balcom)
Format: Demy HB/ 360 page count
ISBN: 978-1-83890-573-6
Pub: 25th October 2024
For generations, Wang Changchi’s family have dreamed of escaping their poverty-stricken village. When a twist of fate takes his chance away, he joins the hordes of migrant workers risking their lives for a shot at city life. Still hoping for a reversal of fortune, will he risk it all for one more chance to bring success to his family line?
Posted by: Daniel Li <Daniel.li@alaincharlesasia.com>