He was left feeling as if he’d compromised his initial idea in vain. Lianke’s novel, based on a true blood-selling scandal, was banned when first published in China, which is ironic because he self censored it by toning down his initial idea to try and avoid the ire of the censors, having previously been banned for fierce satires criticising the authorities. It’s prescient that literary award winner Lianke’s novel is published within weeks of his fellow outspoken creative Ai Wei Wei’s arrest. Since then, Wei Wei has been freed (but has no doubt been threatened with problems for himself or his family if he steps out of line again, as he is uncharacteristically cowed.) This little book was very powerful to me then, and it would probably still be if I read it now.ĭream of Ding Village by Yan Lianke. At the time, I felt very strongly about China's abuse of human rights as the Chinese artist and activist Ai Wei Wei had been arrested. I wrote this review many months ago but never posted it anywhere. Since my flag recognition is dismal, I'll write nationality of authors I review at top.
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