With his latest book – My Chinese Teacher’s Fears – Where is China Going? — journalist and author Jean-François Lépine presents us with a little-known China from the inside.
“I don’t like the Chinese government, the devils that have ruled it for centuries, but I love the Chinese people who have managed to live with these devils. It is a country of contradictions, but an important country. “We can learn a lot from them,” explains the man, who was able to draw on more than 40 years of travel in the “Middle Kingdom” for his new work.
Like a novel
The biggest compliment the public has paid him since his release last October? That his book reads like a novel and that he has managed to make accessible a topic that could have been considered difficult and distant.
“I chose topics that made me talk about China; Chinese youth, the relationship between men and women, Chinese culture (hedonism), personal hygiene, food, the love of games… Everything that shows us that it is not a people that resembles its president, but that, like us, wants to live and open up to the world,” continues the 74-year-old author, for whom his fascination with China goes back to childhood, with Tim and the blue lotus.
Jean-François Lépine is proud of the personal side of this book, which introduces people he met during his numerous stays (both professional and private) in China.
“I’m very happy to arouse the curiosity of Quebecers and I think my Chinese friends will say that I was fair,” adds the man who likes to go to the Montreal Book Fair to interact with readers .
► Jean-François Lépine will be at Stand 2725 at the Montreal Book Fair every day from November 23rd to 26th.
► An activity not to be missed at the Montreal Book Fair today: The big interview with Jean-Philippe Baril-Guérard, author of the popular novels “Manuel de la vie sauvage”, “Haute demolition”, “Royal” and “You are animal”, which deals with the theme of truth and human evolution , promises to be captivating. At 6:30 p.m. in the Literary Room.