Born in Hunan Province in China in 1958, Yan Lianke began his literary career in 1978.  He studied political education at Hunan University and literature at the People¡¯s Liberation Army College of Arts.  His publications include eleven novels including Xia Riluo (ù¾ìíÕª), Serve the People (为ìÑÚÅÜ×务), Enjoyment (áôüÀ), and Dream of Ding Village (ïËíä梦). He has also published more than ten volumes of short stories including the winner of the Lu Xun Literature Award in 2000, Nian Yue Ri (Ò´êÅìí). Enjoyment, which was published in 2004, received wide acclaim in China, garnering the 3rd Lao She Literature Award (获ð¯ß²届ÖÕÞìÙþ学奖) in the novel category. His works are highly satirical, which resulted in the banning of his most famous works in the PRC.  A recipient of more than twenty prestigious literary awards, Yan is also working at the Chinese Writers Association and the Beijing Writers Association while devoting his time to professional writing.