Mo Yan said, "If it’s a nice looking hen, it worth some attention. But if it’s only the egg that is shiny, don’t waste your time looking at the hen."
Dong Qian: Do you think their evaluation is in accord with your own judgement?
Mo Yan said, "I think they understood my novels. I don’t know that it’s accurate to say my works are the fusion of hallucinatory realism and folk tales. I’d rather say it merges fiction and folk stories, social problems and historical events. Maybe that’s more accurate."
Dong Qian: Pleasantly surprised means you were very happy?
Mo Yan said, "Yes, indeed. Firstly, I was surprised because I was not expecting to receive this award. I was happy because I’m the prize winner after all. But I was frightened because I still have no idea how to handle this. There was so much press, and as a nobel winner, I don’t know if it will cause more people stare at me and find my faults. That’s why I’m frightened."
Dong Qian: Your works were translated and published into other languages, do you believe that those versions can still portray the ideas you are trying to convey?
Mo Yan said, "There is no way to make sure of that. Readers are similar everywhere. There must be some people who love my works and some who don’t. I can’t push them. So in fact, every writer picks their own readers."
Dong Qian: Don’t you feel happy? You’ve just had a spike in your income.
Mo Yan said, "I always a bit nervous when my novel’s sales increase. The more they sell, the more I’m frightened. Many readers will assume that the works of the Nobel Prize winner must be the best of the best, the cream of the crop. I’m afraid they may feel disappointed by my works."
Dong Qian: Do you think winning the Nobel Prize will promote the growth of Chinese literature, or will everything go back to normal?
Mo Yan said, "It will soon go away. People will go back to their old ways."
Dong Qian: Do you think more people will be interested in literature?
Mo Yan said, "The change is just short term. This will slowly fade, and all will move forward following the nature of life."