University of Leeds Writing Chinese project

[roddy]

The University of Leeds has a Writing Chinese project, which in its own words brings together "writers, translators, publishers, literary agents and academics working in the field of contemporary Chinese literature"

 

It hasn't been running long, but they've got an interview with Nicky Harman, who is on the Advisory Board, up, and a couple of bits on Chen Xiwo, who has a translation of Book of Sins coming out and is currently doing a small tour of the UK - might go and see him on Saturday myself. 

 

Main reason for posting though is that they're aiming to run a book club, starting from tomorrow. They've got both English and Chinese versions up and for the first one (Chen's The Man With The Knife, no spoilers, but I'm not keen on what he does with it) at least they have audio for both. The November one is also up now if you want to get a head start. They have their own forum which opens tomorrow for discussion. 

 

Jump in, if you wish. 

[Angelina]

Nah, I'm still not ready for this 

[roddy]

It's just under 5,000 characters if anyone's wondering. I wouldn't have chosen this one myself* but they're opting for stuff that ties in with publications and events they're having, which makes sense. 

*it won't be on the Confucius Institute's reading list, due to what the BBFC would call strong sexual and violent content

[Angelina]

Reading it now, it's not that difficult to understand.

I was saying that it looks like an interesting project to join. If you are ready for it. 

Contemporary Chinese literature has not been translated enough.

[Lu]

This is so cool. Thanks for posting it here!

[Angelina]

Chen Xiwo turned out to be too Japanese for my taste, but he is ok. I have found his blog:

 

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_537a05070100y41b.html

 

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_537a0507010140fr.html

 

 

NSFW!

More in line with The Man With The Knife 

 

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_537a05070100vs3r.html

 

It is refreshing to find someone contemporary who is not Han Han. However, might not be your cup of tea. 

[StChris]

This looks good.

 

Can anyone get the audio for this? When I load the page there's just a blank space where the audio should be.

[mouse]

 

Can anyone get the audio for this? When I load the page there's just a blank space where the audio should be.

 

Works for me on Safari and Firefox.

[roddy]

Has anyone been reading the text? How have you found it?

[Angelina]

Yes, see post #6

 

NB By Japanese I mean this  ( NSFW ) http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/13/scheherazade-3

 

I can appreciate the craftsmanship, I can't really appreciate the art.

[roddy]

December has a couple of Xu Zechen stories - I liked what I read of his Running through Zhongguancun, though I never finished it (my fault, not his). Translations and audio available. 

 

There's also a translation competition - the text is worth reading anyway, I quite enjoyed it.