Mo Yan Biography
Mo Yan is a famous Chinese short story writer and novelist born in Gaomi, Weifang, China. Donald Morrison of U.S. news magazine TIME referred to him as “one of the most famous, oft-banned and widely pirated of all Chinese writers”, and Jim Leach called him the Chinese answer to Franz Kafka or Joseph Heller.
Yan is important because he is one of the most important and influential Chinese writers of our time. His work has been translated into over 30 languages and has won numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012. He is known for his unique blend of magical realism, folk tales, and social commentary.
His novels often deal with difficult subjects such as poverty, corruption, and violence. However, he does so in a way that is both insightful and compassionate. His work has helped to break down taboos and to promote open discussion of important issues in Chinese society.
10 Quick Facts About Mo Yan
- Name: Mo Yan
- Age: 69 Years Old
- Birthday: February 17
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Height: Average
- Nationality: Chinese
- Occupation: Novelist and Writer
- Marital Status: Married
- Salary: Under Review
- Net worth: $5 million
Mo Yan Age
Yan is 69 years old. He was born on February 17, 1955, in Gaomi, Weifang, China. He celebrates his birthday on February 17 every year and his birth sign is Aquarius.
Mo Yan Height
Yan stands at an average height. He appears to be quite tall in stature in his photos relative to his surroundings if anything to go by. However, details regarding his actual height are not publicly available. We will update this section once the information is available.
Mo Yan Weight
Yan has a moderate weight. His weight is publicly not available. We will update this section once the information is available.
Early Life and Education
Yan was born on February 17, 1955, in Gaomi, Weifang, China. He is the youngest of four children in a peasant family. His father was a good storyteller, and Mo Yan grew up listening to his stories, as well as the stories of other villagers.
His early education was interrupted by the Cultural Revolution, which began in 1966. He was forced to leave school at the age of 11 to work as a farmer. In 1973, he began working in a cotton oil processing factory.
In 1976, Mo Yan joined the People’s Liberation Army. He began writing stories in 1981, and in 1984, he was accepted into the People’s Liberation Army Arts College, where he studied literature. He graduated in 1986. In 1991, Mo Yan graduated from the creation graduate class of Lu Xun School of Literature and obtained a master’s degree in literature from Beijing Normal University.
Rise to Fame
Yan’s rise to fame began in the late 1980s with the publication of his novel Red Sorghum. The novel was a critical and commercial success, and it won Mo Yan a number of awards, including the Mao Dun Literature Prize, China’s highest literary award.
Mo Yan Parents
Yan was born in Gaomi, Weifang, China as the son of Gao Shujuan (mother), and Yifan Guan (father). Yan has said that his parents had a profound influence on his writing. He has said that his father’s storytelling skills helped him to develop his own love of storytelling.
Mo Yan Siblings
Yan spent his childhood alongside his two brothers; Moxian Guan, and Moxin Guan.
Mo Yan Wife
Yan is currently married to his lovely wife Du Qinlan who was working in a cotton oil processing factory. The couple did their wedding in 1979, and together they are blessed with one child; a daughter named Guan Xiaoxiao.
Yan has also said that he is very grateful for Du Qinlan’s love and support. He has said that she is his best friend and that he couldn’t have done it without her.
Mo Yan Children
Yan together with his wife Du Qinlan are proud parents of one child; a daughter named Guan Xiaoxiao.
Mo Yan Net Worth
Yan has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a Novelist and Writer. Through his various sources of income, Yan has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts and Body Measurements
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Mo Yan.
Mo Yan Wiki
- Full Names: Guan Moye
- Popular As: Mo Yan
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Novelist and Writer
- Nationality: Chinese
- Race / Ethnicity: To be Updated
- Religion: To be Updated
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Mo Yan Birthday
- Age: 69 Years Old
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Date of Birth: February 17, 1955
- Place of Birth: Gaomi, Weifang, China
- Birthday: February 17
Mo Yan Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: Average
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Black
- Hair Color: Black
- Shoe Size: To be Updated
- Chest Size: To be Updated
- Waist Size: To be Updated
Mo Yan Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Yifan Guan
- Mother: Gao Shujuan
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Moxian Guan, and Moxin Guan
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse/Wife: Married to Du Qinlan
- Dating / Girlfriend: Not Applicable
- Children: Guan Xiaoxiao
Mo Yan Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Novelist and Writer
Career
Yan’s career began in the early 1980s, during a period of reform and opening up in China. His early works were written in accordance with the prevailing literary dictates of the ruling regime, but over time his storytelling began to seek out its own, more independent paths.
Mo Yan’s breakthrough novel was Red Sorghum, published in 1986. The novel is a non-chronological story about the generations of a Shandong family between 1923 and 1976. It was adapted into a Golden Bear-winning film by Zhang Yimou in 1988.
Mo Yan went on to publish a number of other successful novels and short story collections, including The Garlic Ballads (1987), Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out (2006), Frog (2009), and Sandalwood Death (2011). His work has been translated into over 30 languages and has been adapted into several films. He is also a popular lecturer and teacher. He is currently a professor at Shandong University and Peking University.
Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
In 1987, Yan visited the United States for the first time. He spent several months traveling across the country, visiting cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. He also met with American writers such as Norman Mailer and Susan Sontag.
In 1991, Mo Yan was invited to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair. He was the first Chinese writer to be invited to the fair as a guest of honor.
In 2012, Mo Yan traveled to Sweden to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. He gave a speech at the Nobel Prize banquet in which he discussed his life and work.
Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable, and Community Involvement
He has donated millions of yuan to support education, poverty alleviation, and cultural development in China. He has also served as an ambassador for several charities, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2010, Mo Yan established the Mo Yan Foundation, which focuses on supporting education and cultural development in rural China. The foundation has donated millions of yuan to build schools, libraries, and cultural centers in rural areas. It has also provided scholarships to students from low-income families.
Yan is also a strong advocate for poverty alleviation. In 2013, he was appointed as a special envoy for the China Poverty Alleviation Foundation. He has traveled extensively to poverty-stricken areas in China to raise awareness of the issue and to promote poverty alleviation initiatives.
Mo Yan The Republic of Wine
Yan’s novel The Republic of Wine is a satirical novel that explores the relationship between Chinese people and food and drink, and comments on government corruption and excesses. It was first published in 1992 and was translated into English by Howard Goldblatt in 1996.
Mo Yan Books
- Big Breasts and Wide Hips 1996
- Red Sorghum 1986
- Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out 2006
- Frog 2009
- Sandalwood Death 2001
- The Republic of Wine 1992
- The Garlic Ballads 1988
- White Dog and Swing Frame 2004
- Pow! 2003
- Thirteen Steps 1989
- Shifu: You’ll Do Anything for a Laugh 2000
- Shifu, You’ll Do Anything for a Laugh 2001
Mo Yan Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
- 2006: Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize XVII
- 2007: Man Asian Literary Prize, nominee, Big Breasts and Wide Hips
- 2009: Newman Prize for Chinese Literature, winner, Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out
- 2010: Honorary Fellow, Modern Language Association
- 2011: Mao Dun Literature Prize, winner, Frog
Quotes
Final Thought
He is a role model for other writers and artists, and his work has inspired many people to get involved in their communities and make a difference. He has helped to improve education, reduce poverty, and promote cultural development.
Mo Yan Contacts
- Youtube
- Tiktok
- Website
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