Elsewhere, or the Perpetual Contradiction of Being Stuck in the Mud and Floating Free

Abstract

In this conversation, interviewer Xing Chao speaks with Jiangsu writer Lu Min about the transformative experiences that thrust her into the world of literature. Lu Min talks in detail about her life’s trajectory, her most famous works, and the inspirations behind them. Lu Min also expounds upon the influences of her generation’s literature and the relationship between the individual and their generation. She explains how she and others have tried to capture the essence of their generation through writing and the themes they employ. For Lu Min, there is an emphasis on writing about common individuals to bring to light the qualities of her generation in particular. Through this interview, readers can gain perspective into Lu Min’s writing process and better understand the intricacies of character and story development, as well as clarifying some of the misconceptions critics have of her works.