Date of Birth: August 18, 1953
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: (N/A)
Biography
Ma Jian is a renowned Chinese writer and dissident known for his poignant and often controversial works that critique the Chinese government and society. Born in Qingdao, Shandong, China, Ma Jian began his career as a painter and photographer before transitioning to writing in the 1980s. His first major work, “Stick Out Your Tongue,” published in 1987, was banned in China due to its unflinching portrayal of Tibetan life and culture. This led to Ma Jian’s departure from China in search of greater freedom of expression. He gained international recognition with his novel “Red Dust,” a semi-autobiographical account of his journey through China, which won the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award in 2002. Ma Jian’s most acclaimed work, “Beijing Coma,” depicts the Tiananmen Square massacre through the eyes of a comatose student and is considered one of the most important novels about modern China. Currently residing in London, Ma Jian continues to write and speak out against censorship and human rights abuses in China. His works have been translated into several languages, making him a significant voice in global literature.
5 Interesting Facts about Ma Jian
1. Ma Jian’s “Stick Out Your Tongue” was banned in China shortly after its publication, leading to his exile.
2. He won the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award for “Red Dust” in 2002.
3. “Beijing Coma” has been translated into over 20 languages and is considered a seminal work on the Tiananmen Square massacre.
4. Ma Jian is also a talented painter and photographer, having begun his artistic career in visual arts.
5. He continues to be an outspoken critic of the Chinese government, often speaking at international forums and literary festivals.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ma Jian
1. “To write is to struggle against silence.”
2. “Freedom is the most precious gift we can give to ourselves and to others.”
3. “The role of a writer is to bear witness, to document the truth.”
4. “Censorship is the enemy of creativity, for it seeks to limit the exploration of ideas.”
5. “In the face of oppression, the pen becomes a sword.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
$1 million
Children
Ma Jian has three children, though he keeps details about his family life relatively private to protect their safety and privacy.
Relevant Links
1. [Ma Jian’s Wikipedia Page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Jian_(author
3. [Profile on Ma Jian by PEN America](https://pen.org/advocacy-case/ma-jian/
5. [Ma Jian’s Official Website](http://www.majian.info
