Namu Yang
I went tonight with Erick, his girlfriend, and her granddaughter (I was the youngest in the group) to see Namu Yang, the author of Leaving Mother Lake, speak. Namu is pretty much the sole cultural ambassador of a tiny group of people in south-western China that live in a by-and-large matriarchal society. Her one English language memoir has been quite popular. She has also written thirteen books in Chinese, which are quite popular.
She was amazing to see in person. She seemed electrified, energetic beyond capacity and deeply passionate about everything. She sang, and I bet every person in the room was thinking "she is singing for me."
Afterwards, I talked to her a bit, finding her almost overwhelming in person. She said that I should be a writer-in-residence at her museum that she built in her hometown.
I am considering how seriously to take this.
Regardless, an absolutely remarkable experience. I have not yet read her book, but I recommend that anyone who gets a chance go see her in person.
She was amazing to see in person. She seemed electrified, energetic beyond capacity and deeply passionate about everything. She sang, and I bet every person in the room was thinking "she is singing for me."
Afterwards, I talked to her a bit, finding her almost overwhelming in person. She said that I should be a writer-in-residence at her museum that she built in her hometown.
I am considering how seriously to take this.
Regardless, an absolutely remarkable experience. I have not yet read her book, but I recommend that anyone who gets a chance go see her in person.