Interview: 'Year of the Goose' Author Mocks China's 1 Percent in Biting Satire
Carly J. Hallman's Year of the Goose carries a fantastical plot with a grim message about what it can mean to be ultra-rich.
Contents
- What inspired you to write this book?
- The book was a work of fiction, but how much of the characters' lives did you find based in reality (i.e., inspired by something you read in the news, etc.)?
- How long have you lived in Beijing? What are some of your observations about the city that have affected your writing?
- Xi Jinping's anti-graft campaign is trying to cut down on the extravagance and conspicuous consumption mentioned in your book. When you started writing your book, had the anti-graft campaign started?
- There is a point in the book where you describe Kelly's experiences abroad where she appears very lonely. Recently, there were reports about Chinese teens convicted for assault in the United States—the media called them "parachute kids" because of how they had no connection or direction from their parents while living abroad. Did this have any relation to Kelly's character?
- Do you have any wealthy friends or colleagues in China who gave you insight for your work?
- Tell us more about what the goose signifies for you.
- What are some significant changes you've seen in your time in China in terms of wealthy people's habits?
- The upheaval in the economy has greatly affected the luxury industry in China. If you had started to write the book now, would this have changed anything?
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