Interview with Lijia Zhang

Born to factory workers in Nanjing, Lijia Zhang seemed set to walk in her parents footsteps, heading to work at a rocket factory at age 17. But this iron rice bowl life held little appeal to the adventurous young Zhang, and a passion for English literature combined with a chance meeting at the Forbidden City (with the foreigner who would become her husband) launched her on a path to becoming a writer. Zhang studied journalism in England, has written articles for major international publications, and co-wrote a book of memoirs of the lives of exceptional individuals in post-revolution China (China Remembers, Oxford University Press, 1999). More recently, Zhang has turned the lens on herself – her personal memoir Socialism is Great! has just been published by Atlas Books. Zhang will be discussing her newest work and the nature of memories as a writing resource at the Bookworm tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10 (see below for details or here for more Bookworm Festival events).

tbjblog: You've taken the path less traveled - what was it that inspired you to break the conventions and become a writer/journalist? Was it one specific event or a series of occurrences?

At the factory [I first worked at], I was miserable and out of place: I had dreamed of going to university and becoming a journalist or a writer. I guess that I was good at writing; my teacher often read my compositions aloud as fine examples to the class. I turned to reading as an escape route but became addicted in writing: once again, it shows the literature’s liberating and civilizing power. Since I was young, I developed a habit of keeping a journal. I have long found intense pleasure in writing and it is therapeutic, too – self-pity, well-indulged, is an excellent way to nurse emotional wounds.

tbjblog: You write in English. How do you think your writing is different as a result?

Writing in English in some ways has freed me from the possible constraints I would encounter if I wrote in Chinese. Language is a powerful thing. The first Holy Roman Emperor famously remarked that “To learn a new language is to gain a new soul.” I am not sure if I have gained a new soul. But English certain removed my inhibition. For example, some of the sex or emotional scenes might be less detailed if Chinese were the tool.

Also, writing in English means to write for a Western audience, which is very different from writing for domestic readers. Having worked for Western media, I know pretty well how to get a point across to Western readers and when and how to explain the background. My writing style is simple, lyrical and fresh – I am unable to use complicated or big words and since I write in a second language, I structure my sentences or use words slightly differently, sometimes without even realizing.

tbjblog: Your event at the Bookworm is a discussion with Patrick Gale about
using memories in writing. You're particularly knowledgeable about this subject, as you've edited a compilation of memoirs and now written one yourself. What are some of the strengths and difficulties in using memories in storytelling?

The obviously strength in using memories in storytelling is that there’s some sort of structure already, some materials to work with. The challenging part is how to select the material to make whatever the point you’d like to make, as real life events may not always be as dramatic as in fiction.

I have not read Gale’s works but I am planning to do so. From what I understand, some of his novels are closely based on the real life events. I am sure we’ll find plenty points in common – the fraught relationship with our families, for example.

tbjblog: Any ideas for your next project?

I recently completed my first novel, also in English, entitled Lotus, a novel set in modern day Shenzhen about prostitution (or in other words, about tension caused by a fast-changing society).

I have started my next book project, a non-fiction work about the trafficking of women in China – village girls are kidnapped and sold to farmers as wives – the subject touches upon many fundamental issues China is facing today.

March 11
Ethical Memoirs

British author Patrick Gale (Friendly Fire, Notes From an Exhibition) and Lijia Zhang (Socialism is Great!) debate the strengths and pitfalls of using memories in writing. RMB 50. 12.30-1.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)

See the Beijing Bookworm's website for more festival events and author bios.