In this episode, translator Chen Chen reads a sample of Michael Martin Day’s English translation of Liao Yiwu’s »18 Prisoners«.

Prisons serve as mirrors reflecting societal truths by unveiling its darker counterpart. The stories shared by those incarcerated offer distinct, countervailing narratives. Liao Yiwu, in his incarceration, gathered these life stories, piecing together an alternative narrative of China's history. Echoing the endeavors of Alexander Solzhenitsyn, he uncovers the grim realities within what he terms "the world's largest prison." »18 Prisoners« delves into the lives of not just 18 individuals, often incarcerated for their political beliefs, but also narrates 18 tales of escape. Each instance of escape—whether across towering mountains or vast seas—underscores that the human yearning for freedom, inventive spirit, and the indomitable drive to survive transcend political subjugation.

Liao Yiwu, born in Sichuan province in 1958, grew up in great poverty. In 1989, he wrote the poem "Massacre", for which he was imprisoned for four years. In 2007, Liao Yiwu was awarded the Freedom to Write Prize from the Independent Chinese PEN Centre, the awarding of which was prevented at the last minute. Since then, he has published numerous books that have been translated into many languages, including »The Corpse Walker« (2009), »For a Song and a Hundred Songs« (2011), »Wuhan« (2022). He lives in Berlin.

Head to our website to find a pdf of today’s sample here.

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Credits

Text originally published as “18個囚徒 18 Gefangene” by 廖亦武 Liao Yiwu

Translated by Michael Martin Day, read by Chen Chen.

Copyright © S. Fischer Verlag GmbH, Frankfurt am Main 2025

Concept: Verena von Bassewitz, Martin Butz & Elisa Diallo

Production, Editing & Sound Design: Martin Butz

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