Pseudomanchukuo (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Chi Zijian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The author traces the writing motivation behind Puppet Manchukuo, which was born twelve years ago during their studies at the Beijing Lu Xun Literature Institute. However, at that time, the author knew very little about this special period in history, and that motivation was merely an idea that was soon overwhelmed and diluted by other writing projects. In 1990, the author graduated and returned to Harbin, where they owned a small room of their own, finally able to read and write with stability and peace. This was when the idea of writing Puppet Manchukuo resurfaced uncontrollably in the author's mind. In the author's mind, Puppet Manchukuo was just a rough sketch, and they felt it was too early to start writing it with a pen. Over the next seven years, the author focused on writing some short and medium-length works, gaining textual practice from this, while still paying attention to collecting historical materials for Puppet Manchukuo. These included copies from the library, purchases from bookstores, and even more precious finds from old book stalls. By 1998, the author felt that the imagery of Puppet Manchukuo in their mind was becoming increasingly rich, and the urge to create had emerged. They then concentrated on gathering materials for two months and, by the time the apricot blossoms began to bloom in April, they started writing. A long work filled with immense passion was completed. Whether it is successful or not remains to be judged by readers and time. For the author, their heart is filled with the ashes left by the burning of Puppet Manchukuo. These ashes are desolate and bitter, much like the emotions the author felt when they were far from their hometown.