Photo: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP via Getty Images (2014)
Sample of authors
Qiu Xiaolong
Qiu Xiaolong is a Chinese author, poet, translator and scholar. He was born in Shanghai and grew up in post-revolution China. During the Cultural Revolution, when students were forced into the countryside to "learn from the peasants", Qiu remained in the city as he was often bedridden due to a respiratory problem. With nothing to do during long, tedious days he began to practice tai chi in the...
Photo: Steve Wood / REX / TT (1994)
Sample of authors
Thomas, Leslie
The Welsh author Leslie Thomas was born in Newport, South Wales. He is one of the most popular British late 20th century authors on account of his sensitive characterization and comical, often farcical, plots. Since most of his novels are set during and immediately after the Second World War they are less popular outside Britain.
Thomas attended school in Newport in 1943 when his father was...
