Mo Yan has won this year's Nobel Prize in Literature, the first Chinese national to be awarded the honor. His novel Red Sorghum first came to wide attention on the big screen both at home and abroad in 1987. The film was directed by Jiang Yimou and marked the acting debut of Gong Li. Mo Yan’s success has created a great sensation among the Chinese public.
The excitement of Mo Yan’s winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature has swept the public attention from the internet, all the way, to the bookstore.
His famous works like "The Frog" and the "Big Breasts & Wide Hips" sold out long before the announcement of the prize.
Qin Hui, Pr Manager, Beijing Xinhua Bookstore Co., said, "Mo Yan’s books immediately sold out this morning after we opened our store. We’ll try our best to increase our supply and we’re accepting book orders."
Many readers who came early in the morning were told only his latest novel is available "Fatigue of Life and Death." But their excitement far outweighed any disappointment.
"I think Mo Yan’s success is not only the success of Chinese literature, it’s also a reflection of our country’s overall development in economy and culture."
"This news came as a surprise to me. I’ve been following his works. It’s such an honor!"
For many of Mo’s readers, this prize may have come too late. But it’s introducing his works to many young people in the post 90s generation.
"I wasn’t familiar with Mo Yan before, but ever since I heard the news, I did a lot of research and I want to read more of his books."
In recent decades, the Chinese literature has made great progress. But still, it is difficult for Chinese works to enter the western market. Mo Yan’s success is a symbol of the world’s recognition of Chinese literature. But as Mo has said in his interview, the public should pay more attention to the author and his works rather than honors and reputations."
The 57-year-old Chinese writer just simply expressed his surprise and delight. He thinks it’s the universality of human nature that touched the western readers and brought him the award.
Mo Yan, Nobel Laureate in Literature, said, "My works have always focused on people and human nature. In my writing, I treat people equally no matter whether they are perceived as a good person or a bad person. I do not beautify or demonize the characters. Instead I have sympathy or understanding towards them."
His win brought joy to his supporters, as no Chinese national has ever won the Nobel Prize in Literature in its century-long history. Qin Xiaoyu is among many of his supporters, and she’s interviewed him many times. She credits Mo’s personality for his unique writing style.
Qiu Xiaoyu, Anchor, China Radio International, said, "In real life Mo Yan is more like a chief editor. He talked about his family and the housing prices. But he put all his imagination in his works, and he became a superman."
With more Chinese writers like Mo, the world could learn more about the real China. And his Nobel Prize may send a powerful signal to the country’s writers. Moving reflections of Chinese lives have their place in world literature.
