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Chinese-language novel 'A Tibetan Girl Called Ata' released in English

Zhang has had his novel 'Tibetan Girl Called Ata' translated into English, marking the first of his three Chinese-language novels to reach English-language readers following the global success of his sister Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans'.
Incurring the wrath of China's communist regime with their published works while abroad, Zhang and Jung Chang now reside in London; both authors remain banned in China and describe themselves as enemies of the state.
Inspired by meeting a Tibetan woman in Chengdu, Zhang wrote the novel to challenge assumptions about Tibetan society, exploring a love affair between a Han Chinese man and a Tibetan woman that captures the culture's spiritual depth.
Friends warned Zhang that writing the novel would provoke backlash from China, yet he poured his pent-up rage into articles critical of the government despite knowing the pieces would be highly controversial.
Living five thousand miles from their homeland, the siblings lead fulfilling lives in London while remaining dedicated to writing; they find it hard to imagine returning to China, fearing they would 'disappear' upon arrival.

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