Thank You for Leaving Me

Zhang Xiaoxian releases her latest essay collection, Thank You for Leaving Me, in mainland China. [Women of China/Zhang Jiamin]

Zhang shares her ideas at the book launch. [Women of China/Zhang Jiamin]

An attendee at Zhang's book launch [Women of China/Zhang Jiamin]

Zhang began writing in the early 1990s and rose to fame after publishing a romance novel, The Woman in Breadfruit Tree. To date, she has published more than 40 novels and essay collections, and has established a wide readership base.

"This book is not meant for people who have just broken up with their partners, and it is not an inspirational book, but is simply a collection of essays about my feelings and thoughts and the stories that have happened to me and the people around me," she said at the launch.

As for the 'leaving' theme of her book, she admitted, "'Leaving' is common in one's life and romantic relationships and the agony that break ups cause can be seen as life lessons. One day, you will smile at your past agony and thank the person who broke up with you because by doing so he showed that he is not the one that you are supposed to end up with."

The book is illustrated by French illustrator Anne Julie, marking the first time that Zhang has worked together with a foreign illustrator.

Soaring Sales

Over 30,000 copies of the book have already been sold, placing it at the top of Chinese online book stores, Amazon.cn and Dangdang.com. The book is also selling well in physical bookstores.

Prior to the release, many of Zhang's avid fans had already pre-ordered the book and tweeted about it on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter.

To further generate buzz, the book's publishers have launched an online campaign asking participants to share their stories of leaving their loved ones or of being left.

The book has also appeared on best seller lists in Hong Kong and Taiwan since it was released there.

In order to thank her readers for their support, Zhang plans to hold a book signing event at Beijing Books Building on April 13, 2013. It will be her first book signing in mainland China.

(womenofchina.cn)