British author Jeanette Winterson wrapped up her third book tour in China earlier this month, where she participated in literary events and introduced the Chinese edition of her latest work, *Love*. The tour, held from August 10 to 19, included appearances at the Shanghai Book Fair as well as book launches in Shanghai and Beijing.
Winterson, 67, is internationally recognized for her distinctive storytelling style, which often blends dark humor with unconventional narratives. She first gained widespread attention with her debut novel, *Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit*, published in 1985. The coming-of-age story explores the complex relationship between a young woman and her deeply religious mother and has since been translated into multiple languages and sold in over 30 countries. The Chinese edition of this novel, translated by Yu Shi and released in 2010, has surpassed one million copies sold.
The novel remains highly influential among Chinese readers, inspiring many who feel marginalized to pursue their own paths, according to You Yanqing, a representative of the literary center at Thinkingdom Media Group, Winterson’s Chinese publisher. The novel, they note, symbolizes themes of love, growth, and resilience, while also critically examining faith and the search for individual truth. Winterson’s work has cultivated a loyal following in China, including among prominent writers and online cultural figures such as Zhang Yueran and Zhan Qingyun. To date, Thinkingdom Media has published eight of Winterson’s titles in Chinese.
Unlike her previous novels, Winterson’s latest Chinese release, *Love*, is a compilation of selections from her earlier writings centered on the theme of love, described by her English publisher, Penguin Books, as an exploration of “that impossible, essential force.” The book was launched at Sinan Literary Home in Shanghai on August 12, where readers gathered hours before the event, underscoring Winterson’s enduring popularity.
Reflecting on her multiple visits to China—most recently in 2017 and previously in 2011 for the inaugural Shanghai International Literary Week—Winterson acknowledged the intensity of her hectic schedules that often leave little time for sightseeing. Nevertheless, she emphasized that engaging with readers is the most rewarding aspect of her visits, describing their interactions as the vital connection that brings stories to life.
Winterson also shared insights into her personal background, noting parallels between her upbringing and the protagonist of *Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit*. Raised by adoptive evangelical Christian parents who encouraged missionary work, she found solace and freedom through writing. She highlighted imagination as a form of resistance to materialistic values, stating that creative expression is driven by love rather than monetary or power considerations.
Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence on culture and leisure, Winterson discussed her collaboration with the AI company Anthropic, which used her works as part of its training data. While she welcomed compensation for this use, she expressed concern over how the technology industry tends to view books merely as data, overlooking the creative process that authors value. Comparing writing to cooking, she stressed the importance of engagement and creativity in the process, which she feels AI risks undermining.
Winterson also noted the particular impact of AI on youth in China. She suggested that China might play a crucial role in addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, contrasting this with what she described as less effective responses in Europe and the United States.