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Quote by Xiaolu Guo

“There was - there still is - a big shortage of good Chinese-English literary translators. So for two years in London, I was stuck waiting, not writing, with several Chinese books I couldn't get translated. That's when I decided to write in English, since I had been living here and had decided to reconstruct my life here. Even if I wrote in broken English, it was better than getting bored and weary and bitter on the long queue of authors waiting to be translated by a stranger.”

Quote by Xiaolu Guo

Author

Xiaolu Guo

Guo Xiaolu is a renowned Chinese novelist whose works delve into themes of identity, culture, and the human condition. Born in 1973, she has gained acclaim for her distinctive narrative style and insightful exploration of the complexities of modern life. more

“I think our literary tradition has to evolve, has to explore its form and its spirit through writers and thinkers, rather than let the lazy, easy traditional narrative - which is controlled by the publishing industry - roll all over the readers and dominate the market. I think our readers and cinemagoers have been trained to read and watch very mainstream stuff. It's like being given sleeping pills. It sends people to a non-reflective sleep state.”

People Thinking Spirit Easy Sleep Tradition Evolve Lazy Thinker Publishing

Author:Xiaolu Guo

“Self-censorship happens not only in China, or Iran or ex-Soviet places. It can happen anywhere. If an artist penetrates a certain taboo or a certain power through their work, he or she will face this problem. I'm always saying that commercial censorship is our foremost censorship globally today. Why do we still pretend we are free?”

Problem Today Artist Censorship Taboo

Author:Xiaolu Guo

“Somehow, in the novel format, I don't really like to do upfront, ideological discussion. In my heart, literature remains a poetic and ambiguous medium. On the other hand, I trained as a documentary filmmaker in film school, so my films very much reflect reality and socio-political problems. They're less subtle I would say.”

Heart Problem Reality School Film Literature Novel My Heart Discussion Filmmaker Poetic Ideological Ambiguous

Author:Xiaolu Guo

“I do think there will be a better understanding between the two sides - East and West. And eventually, the so-called two sides will disappear, and there will only be the conflict between those with power and those without it.”

Thinking Understanding Conflict Disappear

Author:Xiaolu Guo