Materialism a threat to China's literary culture, fears Wang Anyi

With more than 60 literary works under her belt, Shanghai-based author Wang Anyi is regarded as one of the most prolific and influential writers in contemporary China. Her 2011 novel, Scent of Heaven, won the 2012 Dream of the Red Chamber Award, which includes a HK$300,000 cash prize. Shortly after receiving the award in Hong Kong, the 58-year-old Fudan University professor spoke to about her inspiration and the future of literature.

It all came from a 100-word text about embroidery in southern Jiangsu that I found in Ming dynasty records at a public library. I am sure there was a reason why that short reference was recorded so I set off to research historic Shanghai, then a small but thriving fishing village with nascent handicraft and trading activities on the horizon.

The search for historic roots was in vogue in the mid-1980s, and I belong to that school. The period after the Cultural Revolution is referred to as the "new era", which has gone through different phases, starting with "scar" literature, then reflection and root-searching. Writing about urban life is my forte. I am not interested in changes, but in things that stay unchanged even in tumultuous times, such as love, life, marriage, human values and needs. With these things, I see no difference between the past and the present.