“Literature is not at the service of the government; on the contrary, governments should do everything in their power to create a favourable climate for literature.” Literature And Politics Author:Murong Xuecun
“Now, after I have published a few books, I can clearly feel the impact of censorship when I write. For example, I'll think of a sentence, and then realize that it will for sure get deleted. Then I won't even write it down.” ThinkingFeelsWritingI CanBookRealizingExampleImpactSentencesCensorshipFree Speech Author:Murong Xuecun
“Why is contemporary China short of works that speak directly? Because we writers cannot speak directly, or rather we can only speak in an indirect way.Why does contemporary China lack good works that critique our current situation? Because our current situation may not be critiqued. We have not only lost the right to criticise, but the courage to do so.Why is modern China lacking in great writers? Because all the great writers are castrated while still in the nursery.” WayMayDoeStillsLostSpeakSituationModernCurrentsChinaContemporaryNurseGood WorkLackingCritiqueGreat WritersNurseryIndirectCriticiseCurrent Situation Author:Murong Xuecun
“Genuine bravery for a writer... It is about calmly speaking the truth when everyone else is silenced, when the truth cannot be expressed. It is about speaking out with a different voice, risking the wrath of the state and offending everyone, for the sake of the truth, and the writer's conscience.” DifferentStatesVoiceConscienceBraverySakeGenuineWrathSpeak The TruthSpeaking OutOffendingDifferent Voices Author:Murong Xuecun
“The only truth is that we cannot speak the truth . The only acceptable viewpoint is that we cannot express a viewpoint.” SpeakTruth IsAcceptableSpeak The TruthViewpoints Author:Murong Xuecun
“Actually, I am a coward. I say only what is safe to say, and I criticise only what is permissable to criticise.” SafeCowardCriticise Author:Murong Xuecun
“Unfortunately, I have dedicated great effort to the task of compiling this ‘sensitive words glossary,’ and I have mastered my filtering skills. I knew which words and sentences had to be cut, and I accepted the cutting as if that was the way it should be. In fact, I will often take it on myself to save time and cut a few words. I call this ‘castrated writing’ - I am a proactive eunuch, I have already castrated myself before the surgeon raises his scalpel.” IfsWayShouldWritingFactsEffortCuttingSkillsTasksRaisesSentencesAcceptedSensitiveDedicatedSurgeonsFew WordsProactiveGreat EffortScalpelsEunuchs Author:Murong Xuecun
“It is difficult to call myself a writer, even when I stand at a podium to receive a prize, I feel uncomfortable calling myself a writer—I am merely a word criminal.” FeelsDifficultCallingCriminalsUncomfortablePrize Author:Murong Xuecun
