Chinese President Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a very personal revelation. During a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Michelle Martin in Beijing, Xi Jinping said that an Irish novel had given him mental support during the most difficult period of his childhood and adolescence. This book was The Gadfly, which is still considered Ireland’s best-selling novel.

Xi Jinping told that when he was going through one difficulty after another in his teenage years, he took refuge in this novel written by Ethel Voynich. At that time Mao Zedong’s cultural revolution had started in China. Xi Jinping was only 13 years old, but his family had already been targeted before that. His father Shi Zhongshun, who was once the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, was expelled from the Communist Party. After this the entire family became victims of insult, harassment and violence.

Jail, humiliation and death of a sister

This period of Xi Jinping’s life was very cruel. He was kidnapped several times and put in jail. His mother was publicly humiliated in struggle sessions, where people were beaten. During this time, one of Xi Jinping’s sisters also died. Reports said he died of harassment, which many linked to suicide.

Like millions of other Chinese citizens, Xi Jinping was also sent to forced labor camps in rural areas. For some time he had to live in a cave, where there was very little to eat. In such circumstances, The Gadfly became for him not just a book, but a source of hope and courage.

What is the story of The Gadfly?

Published in 1897, the novel tells the story of a young man named Arthur Burton who joins a revolution against foreign rule in 19th century Italy. After betrayal and torture, he fakes his own death and escapes to South America and returns as a fearless revolutionary under the name The Gadfly. This book tells the story of struggle, sacrifice and self-sacrifice. Perhaps this is the reason why it deeply influenced Xi Jinping.

Why was the book popular in China and Soviet Union?

It may have been Ireland’s best-selling book, but its largest readership was in China and the Soviet Union. According to documentary maker Carma Hinton, millions of people saw themselves in this book during the Cultural Revolution. Its hero’s restraint and tough determination were like the heroes of Chinese folklore.