On tour: Meet the author Xinran

Xinran is a Chinese journalist and author based in London. Her latest book Buy Me the Sky (Random House) looks at the social impact of China’s One Child Policy. She will travel to the Sydney Writers Festival in May.

What are you reading right now?
Our Soul Can’t Fall (Línghún bùnéng xià guì) by Chinese author Feng Jicai.

What are you planning to read next?
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf.

Which book do you always recommend?
Dream of the Red Chamber / The Story of the Stone by Cao Xueqin (Penguin).

What was the defining book of your childhood?
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

If you were a literary character you’d be …
Jane Eyre.

What’s your favourite book adaptation (film, television or theatre)?
The Godfather.

Hardback, paperback or digital?
Any printed paper books.

Facebook or Twitter?
I don’t have the time for them so I lack the knowledge to choose between the two.

In 50 years’ time books will be…
The printed books will be very valuable gifts between friends and families, decoration for a house and a proud inheritance to the future generations!

(Photo credit: Juliana Johnston)