Author Talk: Linda Jaivin (Special Sydney Writers' Festival Event)

Join us for a discussion with writer Linda Jaivin about her new book Bombard the Headquarters! The Cultural Revolution in China. This special event is presented in collaboration with the Sydney Writers’ Festival.

About the book

In 1966, with the words 'Bombard the Headquarters!' Mao Zedong unleashed the full, violent force of a movement that he called the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. By the time he died ten years later, millions had perished, China's cultural heritage was in ruins, its economic state was perilous, its institutions of government were damaged, and its society was bitterly divided.

In this fascinating account, Linda Jaivin focuses on the eventful start of the Cultural Revolution. She sheds light on the ideological quarrels that underpinned, it and profiles the personalities involved.

Discussion of the Cultural Revolution is heavily censored in the People's Republic, and many young Chinese people know almost nothing about it. Even so, it continues to cast a shadow over life in China. Current president Xi Jinping's assumption of a third term in 2022, his elimination of rival factions from the leadership and attempts to build a personality cult around himself discomfit many within and outside of the Chinese Communist Party. Bombard the Headquarters! helps us to understand why.

About the author

Linda Jaivin is an essayist, cultural commentator, and literary translator, specialising in film subtitling. She is also the author of thirteen books, including seven novels and six non-fiction works.

Her latest book, Bombard the Headquarters! The Cultural Revolution in China will be out in June, but advance copies will be available from Better Read Than Dead for purchase at the event.

Five Books.com named her Shortest History of China the No. 1 book on China for 2021. Her next book will be the Shortest History of Madrid.

About the event

6pm: Light refreshments
6:30-7:30pm: Author talk