Gish Jen, a well-known American author, recently spoke about her new autobiographical novel 'Bad Bad Girl' at the 'Conversation with the Provost' event with Provost Joanna Waley-Cohen. The event, held on April 23, focused on memoir-writing, mother-daughter relationships, and exploring ancestry. Jen discussed the emotional challenges she faced after her mother's death during the COVID pandemic, which inspired her to write this personal story.
At the event, Jen mentioned her initial hesitation to write an autobiographical work, a feeling many writers experience. She humorously remarked that after publishing ten books and turning 68, she felt ready to write about her complex relationship with her mother. This writing process helped her cope with her loss and better understand their relationship.
Jen's research for 'Bad Bad Girl' took her to significant places in her mother's life, including Wuzhen, where she learned about her grandfather's role as a school headmaster and his portrayal in Mao Dun's writings. She also visited Shanghai to connect with her mother's experiences. This detailed research highlights Jen's commitment to accurately portraying her family's history and her personal memories.
The discussion also covered Jen's teaching approach, stressing the importance of urgency and passion in writing. She teaches this philosophy to her creative writing students at NYU Shanghai, reflecting her own writing practice. Jen's work in both fiction and nonfiction demonstrates her broad literary skills and her ability to engage with different aspects of creative expression.
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