Megan Walsh, "The Subplot: What China Is Reading and Why It Matters" (Columbia Global Reports, 2022)

This podcast episode features an interview with Megan Walsh, author of "The Subplot: What China is Reading and Why It Matters." The discussion explores various aspects of the reading and publishing landscape in China, including the challenges of censorship, the types of books that might surprise outsiders, the popularity of online fiction, the influence of Japanese manga, the prevalence of Danmei fiction, the complexities of crime fiction, the appeal of cottagecore, and the rise of science fiction. Walsh provides insights into how these genres navigate political and cultural restrictions, reflect societal trends, and offer unique perspectives on China's past, present, and future. The conversation also touches on the role of literature in understanding the contradictions within China and its potential for cross-cultural learning.