Harvey Thomlinson
| Harvey Thomlinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | British |
| 💼 Occupation | Writer, translator, publisher |
| 📆 Years active | 2009–present |
| Notable work | The Strike; Translations of Murong Xuecun, Chen Xiwo, Jimmy Qi |
Harvey Thomlinson is a British writer, translator, and publisher. His work includes fiction, literary journalism, and translations of contemporary Chinese literature.[1]
Biography
Thomlinson lived in Hong Kong.[2] His work in literary translation has influenced his method to experimental fiction.[2][3]
Writing
Thomlinson’s fiction often uses unconventional syntax, shifting time frames, and psychological focus. His debut novel, The Strike (Lucid Play Press, 2018), is set in a Chinese border town during a strike. The Los Angeles Review of Books compared its narrative approach to James Joyce’s Ulysses.[3][4]
He has written on experimental literature, including the Guardian article “After Burroughs and Beckett: Opening Up Experimental Fiction Beyond Old White Men”. His essays and commentary on East Asian society and politics have appeared in The New York Times, The Straits Times, and Los Angeles Review of Books.[1][5]
Translation
Thomlinson has translated works by Chinese authors into English, published in outlets such as The Guardian and The New York Times.[6][7] His translations have been noted for retaining the tone of the originals.[3] Notable translations include:
- Leave Me Alone: A Novel of Chengdu by Murong Xuecun (Allen & Unwin, 2009), longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize.[7][8][9]
- I Love My Mum by Chen Xiwo (Make-Do Publishing, 2010).[2]
- Yu Li: Confessions of an Elevator Operator by Jimmy Qi (Make-Do Publishing, 2009).
- Return to the Besieged City by Jimmy Qi (Moongate Books, 2024).[10]
- Selected columns by Murong Xuecun for The New York Times (2014–2015).[11][12][13][14]
Publishing and Film
In 2009, Thomlinson founded Make-Do Publishing, an independent press that published Asian fiction in English translation. Authors published by the press include Murong Xuecun, Chen Xiwo, Anni Baobei (The Road of Others, 2012), Li Er (The Magician of 1919, 2011), Lao Ma (Individuals, 2011), and Rosmini Shaari.
In 2025, Make-Do Publishing was relaunched as Moongate Books, together with Moongate Films, a production company for literary adaptations. One of its projects is Hidden, a film based on a novella by Chen Xiwo, produced by Thomlinson.[15]
Selected Works
- The Strike (novel, Lucid Play Press, 2018, ISBN 978-0-9990737-0-4)[4]
- Translation: Leave Me Alone: A Novel of Chengdu by Murong Xuecun (Allen & Unwin, 2009, ISBN 978-1-74175-392-9)[9][16]
- Translation: Yu Li: Confessions of an Elevator Operator by Jimmy Qi (Make-Do Publishing, 2009)
- Translation: I Love My Mum by Chen Xiwo (Make-Do Publishing, 2010)
- Translation: Return to the Besieged City by Jimmy Qi (Moongate Books, 2024)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Opinion | China's Communist Party Is Abandoning Workers (Published 2018)". 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The Briton who helped bring Asian literature to the world". South China Morning Post. 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Muntz, Kyle (2018-12-10). "Fearful Reality". China Channel. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Strike". LucidPlay Publishing. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ Thomlinson, Harvey (2018-10-08). "After Burroughs and Beckett: opening up experimental fiction beyond old white men". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ "The Accident | The Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing". writingchinese.leeds.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Pushing China's Limits on Web, if Not on Paper (Published 2011)". 2011-11-07. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ "An Excerpt from 'Leave Me Alone: A Novel of Chengdu' (Published 2011)". 2011-11-07. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Leave me alone : a novel of Chengdu | penbot library | TinyCat". penbot library. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ Abrahamsen, Eric. "Harvey Thomlinson". Paper Republic. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ "Opinion | China's Clampdown on 'Evil Cults' (Published 2014)". 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ "Opinion | The Art of Xi Jinping (Published 2014)". 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ "Opinion | Xi's Selective Punishment (Published 2015)". 2015-01-16. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ "Opinion | China's Tradition of Public Shaming Thrives (Published 2015)". 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ "film - Moongate Books". moongatebooks.com. 2024-07-12. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ↑ “Chinese Humorist Jimmy Qi’s New Novel Is a Charming Exploration of the Complexities of Cultural Belonging,” Moongate Books / EIN Presswire, November 13, 2024. Available at: https://world.einnews.com/pr_news/unitedstates/759512736/chinese-humorist-jimmy-qi-s-new-novel-is-a-charming-exploration-of-the-complexities-of-cultural-belonging (accessed [date you accessed]).
External links
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