A Novel, by Someone, Takes China by Storm
Howard W.French
New York Times (US)
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Beijing (China):
For the author of one of China's best-selling novels of recent years, and moreover, one about rugged life among wolves on the Mongolian plains, Jiang Rong makes a surprisingly timid introduction."I am sorry, I have no name cards," said the man meekly as he entered the living room of his home here, where a foreigner was waiting to see him recently.
Having no cards, at least, seemed appropriate, for much about Mr. Jiang, beginning with his real name, is a mystery.
When asked who he is, the writer demurred, embarking on a halting defense of his efforts to remain anonymous from behind the screen of his heavy-framed, somewhat antiquated eyeglasses. "This is the first time I've received anyone in my home," he said. "You must understand, my situation is a bit complicated."This much is known: Mr. Jiang, a 59-year-old political scientist at a Beijing university, has written his first novel, "Wolf Totem," a stirring allegorical critique of Chinese civilization, which he calls soft and lacking in individuality and freedom.
He volunteered for farm work on the prairie of Inner Mongolia during the Cultural Revolution and became versed in the ways of China's northern hinterland.
And although he will not comment, it is rumored that he was in political trouble in China in the late 1980's, perhaps spending time in prison.There are also these much happier facts: The legally published version of Mr. Jiang's book has sold at least one million copies in China since its release last year, along with perhaps six million black market copies and other knockoffs. The novel was also recently bought by Penguin for $100,000, a record for the overseas rights for a contemporary Chinese writer.
And Peter Jackson, the New Zealand director, a specialist in dark fantasies like "The Lord of the Rings," has bought the story rights to the novel and plans to produce a film based on it, recounting how a young Han Chinese man and his friends steal a young wolf from its pit and raise it in their tent.
Nov 03, 2005
Howard W.French
New York Times (US)
________________
Beijing (China):
For the author of one of China's best-selling novels of recent years, and moreover, one about rugged life among wolves on the Mongolian plains, Jiang Rong makes a surprisingly timid introduction."I am sorry, I have no name cards," said the man meekly as he entered the living room of his home here, where a foreigner was waiting to see him recently.
Having no cards, at least, seemed appropriate, for much about Mr. Jiang, beginning with his real name, is a mystery.
When asked who he is, the writer demurred, embarking on a halting defense of his efforts to remain anonymous from behind the screen of his heavy-framed, somewhat antiquated eyeglasses. "This is the first time I've received anyone in my home," he said. "You must understand, my situation is a bit complicated."This much is known: Mr. Jiang, a 59-year-old political scientist at a Beijing university, has written his first novel, "Wolf Totem," a stirring allegorical critique of Chinese civilization, which he calls soft and lacking in individuality and freedom.
He volunteered for farm work on the prairie of Inner Mongolia during the Cultural Revolution and became versed in the ways of China's northern hinterland.
And although he will not comment, it is rumored that he was in political trouble in China in the late 1980's, perhaps spending time in prison.There are also these much happier facts: The legally published version of Mr. Jiang's book has sold at least one million copies in China since its release last year, along with perhaps six million black market copies and other knockoffs. The novel was also recently bought by Penguin for $100,000, a record for the overseas rights for a contemporary Chinese writer.
And Peter Jackson, the New Zealand director, a specialist in dark fantasies like "The Lord of the Rings," has bought the story rights to the novel and plans to produce a film based on it, recounting how a young Han Chinese man and his friends steal a young wolf from its pit and raise it in their tent.
Nov 03, 2005
