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Li Er

リー・アル

Li Er

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1966-01-01 （Jiyuan, Henan, China）
Nationality
China
Languages
Chinese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Editor
Active Years
1987-
Affiliations
Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Mangyuan magazine, Director, Research Department, Chinese Modern Literature Museum
Memberships
Chinese Writers Association (10th National Committee)

Education

East China Normal University
Chinese Language and Literature / Department of Chinese
Period: 1983–1987
Year of Graduation: 1987
Country: China
Majored in Chinese language and literature

Awards

Mao Dun Literature Prize (10th)
2019
Work: Brother Ying Wu
Organization: Mao Dun Literature Prize committee
Result: 受賞
Ding Jun Double Year Prize for Literature (1st)
2003
Work: Coloratura
Organization: Ding Jun Prize organization
Result: 受賞
Red River Literature Award (3rd)
Work: Coloratura
Organization: Red River Literature Award organization
Result: 受賞
Red River Literature Award (4th)
Work: Cherries on a Pomegranate Tree
Organization: Red River Literature Award organization
Result: 受賞
Zhuang Zhongwen Literature Award (10th)
Work: Cherries on a Pomegranate Tree
Organization: Zhuang Zhongwen Literature Award organization
Result: 受賞
Chinese Literature Media Award (17th)
2019
Work: Brother Ying Wu
Organization: Chinese Literature Media Award organization
Result: 受賞
Mao Dun Literature Prize (6th)
2005
Work: Coloratura
Organization: Mao Dun Literature Prize committee
Result: ノミネート

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Brother Ying Wu

2018 Novel

A novel exploring the relationship between individuals and history in contemporary China, focusing on family, memory, and the quest for historical truth.

memoryfamilyhistorical truth
Translations

Cherries on a Pomegranate Tree

2017 Novel

A novel depicting local life and human relationships; its German translation drew international attention.

native-soilhuman relationships
Translations
  • English translation: Cherries on a Pomegranate Tree (translated by Dave Haysom, 2023)

Coloratura

2002 Novel

Explores individual fate and the problematic quest for historical truth; notable for experimental narration and has been translated into English.

historyindividual fatememory
Translations
  • English translation: Coloratura (translated by Jeremy Tiang, 2019)

Bibliography

  • Brother Ying Wu
  • A Cherry on a Pomegranate Tree / Cherries on a Pomegranate Tree
  • The Imperial Japanese Army Enters the Village
  • Coloratura
  • Be Immersed in Love
  • Question and Answer
  • Afternoon Poetics
  • The Tutor Is Dead
  • A Hoarse Voice

Translations of Works

  • Coloratura → English translation by Jeremy Tiang (2019)
  • Cherries on a Pomegranate Tree → English translation by Dave Haysom (2023)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Native-soil literary elements within contemporary fictionExperimental and introspective style focusing on memory and history
Recurring Motifs
memoryfamilyrelationship between history and the individualnative-soil

Legacy

Li Er is an important figure in contemporary Chinese literature; his receipt of the Mao Dun Literature Prize for Brother Ying Wu attests to his recognition. His works have been translated into English and German and drawn international attention.

Museums

  • Chinese Modern Literature Museum China (location details unknown)

Academic Societies

  • Chinese Writers Association

In Popular Culture

  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly gave a German translation of Cherries on a Pomegranate Tree to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during a visit to China.

Trivia

  • Coloratura was introduced internationally via an English translation by Jeremy Tiang.
  • A German translation of Cherries on a Pomegranate Tree reportedly drew the attention of Angela Merkel.
  • Won the 10th Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2019 for Brother Ying Wu.