Posted by evaq 2 years ago In:

arts & humanities, books & authors, china, chinese, travel, asia, authors, books, china books, best china books, best books about china, literature, literary, foreigners, amazon, best-selling, best-sellers

evaq Asked:

Why are all the best selling China books written by westerners?

I was browsing Amazon's bestsellers list in the China category, and I noticed EVERY single one of them from 1-100 is written by a westerner:

#2 Country Driving by Peter Hessler

#4 To a Mountain in Tibet by Colin Thubron

#20 The Foremost Good Fortune by Susan Conley

#24 Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman

#39 Ghost Train to the Eastern Star by Paul Theroux

#47 CHINA: Portrait of a People by Tom Carter

Is this some kind of conspiracy by western publishers to keep Chinese authors off the shelves, or is it that foreigners just know China better than the Chinese?

Also, if possible, can you please suggest some good CHINESE authors?

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2 Answers

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legend89 Answered:

It's not so much a conspiracy by western publishers as it is a conspiracy by the Communist government to discourage Chinese authors from publishing their books abroad uder penalty of arrest. China is notorious for its strict censorship laws; their government does not want anybody knowing anything about life in China except what they choose to reveal in their own state-run media.

I think Ghost Train to the Eastern Star by Paul Theroux and CHINA: Portrait of a People by Tom Carter are both very good reads and deserving of their best-seller status, but if it's Chinese authors you are looking for, try Red China Blues by Jan Wong or Red Azalea by Anchee Min for starters.

Posted 2 years ago

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Kenneth Wu Answered:

Because thinking style is different. The things Chinese people like may westerners don't like and the things westerner curious about maybe is not Chinese people cares.