Remembering the Chinese Labour Corps in WW1 – Souls Left Behind: How Can We Retell the History? A Talk by Fan Wu & Xinran (Zoom, 23/11/24)

23/11/24 on Zoom via GuanghwaBooks – Souls Left Behind: How Can We Retell the History? with Fan Wu & Xinran honouring the Chinese Labour Corps in WW1 & the release of Souls Left Behind by Fan Wu (trans Honey Watson). Free sign up here

An online book event featuringSouls Left Behind, where we invite you to explore the profound connections between history, memory, and storytelling. We will begin with a warm welcome and an introduction to our distinguished guest speakers, Fan Wu and Xinran, both of whom bring deep insights and rich narratives to our discussion. Fan Wu will share the inspiration and historical context behind Souls Left Behind, offering a glimpse into the personal and collective stories woven throughout the book. Fan Wu and Xinran’s conversation will delve into the themes of resilience and the unique ways Chinese writers approach the retelling of history, inviting you to reflect on the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the past. To foster a sense of community, we will conclude with an open Q&A session, where you can engage directly with our speakers.

Souls Left Behind pays homage to the forgotten sacrifices of the Chinese Labour Corps in World War One, telling a universal tale of family, identity, and loss through the life of David. Oscillating between his older years as a widower supported by his daughter, and his experiences in his youth on a journey from China to France to contribute to the allied forces War efforts, this work is an emotional tribute to the forgotten of the forgotten, and those searching for their identity. Fan Wu has crafted empathetic characters and emotional storytelling to make this novel be a memorial to the Chinese Labour Corps, and a journey of reclaiming one’s identity.