I went to my letterbox this week and there was a wonderful surprise.
My publisher at Murdoch Books and dear friend Corinne Roberts had sent me a parcel with the note: ‘Congratulations’.
When I opened the package, there was a copy of the ‘simplified Chinese’ version of my book A Good Death: a compassionate and practical guide to prepare for the end of life, produced by Unity Press.
It’s quite beautiful. The English title presses around the edges of the upper right hand corner. The night blue cover is speckled with occasional and perfectly placed gold sparkles. White feathers nestle beside them, symbols in Chinese of honour and connection – and reminding me of Chris Pedley’s story which we published last week.
When I’ve spoken with Chinese readers they’ve explained that many social barriers and taboos can undermine the goal of a good death in their culture, and many Chinese are now rethinking this.
I hope this book helps with that.
I’ve been visiting many nursing homes lately and find that in old age people are more comfortable reading or being read to in the language of their birth. So we hope all our wonderful Chinese born readers, wherever they live, find these editions helpful.
Britta, from Murdoch Books, who’s helped make the book available to Chinese readers explains simplified Chinese “purely relates to the writing style and is a version of traditional Chinese with simpler characters (fewer strokes to write character and fewer characters in use).
“Traditional Chinese is the preferred writing style in Taiwan and Hong Kong and simplified Chinese in mainland China.” The more complex traditional Chinese version is now also available, through publishers Four Jade.
Shortly after Britta made contact, Mina Liu, from Rightol Agency, who has helped turn these Chinese editions into reality, also got in touch.
Mina believes the book can be purchased online from the two links set out below.
If you try them and have trouble, do let us know so we can sort out a work around.
Simplified Chinese: http://product.dangdang.com/29212717.html
Complex Chinese: https://www.books.com.tw/products/0010885051?sloc=main
Some symbols seem to have universal appeal. To read Chris Pedley’s story, with its feather, go to: