The Vagrants, the first novel by Chinese-American author Yiyun Li — who lives in Oakland and teaches at UC-Davis, and whose 2005 debut story collection A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, garnered much critical praise — is set in 1979 in a provincial Chinese town, where a former Red Guard is being executed as a counter-revolutionary. The novel looks at how this event affects a wide range of people in the town, from poor ragpickers to a powerful, popular radio announcer who knew the condemned as a girl.

As the townspeople witness the condemnation of Gu Shan and its aftermath, each reacts differently. Those who knew her suffer breakdowns or plot to overturn her condemnation; others scheme to take advantage of the situation; still others are preoccupied with the barest details of survival. Li’s large cast of characters are drawn with great precision and insight, and she employs a sweeping, omniscient point of view to illuminate their fears, desires, and crushed hopes. Along the way, the lives of all the characters are touched by the brutality of poverty or of the Chinese police state.

The Vagrants is the best literary novel I’ve read in a long time, and I was excited to be able to interview the author, after the jump.

Li will be appearing around the Bay Area in February to promote the book. See her listing of tour events.

Click to read the interview

Yes, in case you missed it, which was not hard to do… Some shots from the scene at the ballpark. And a soundbite from Aaron Peskin.

“Gavin Newsom runs San Francisco the way the premier of China runs his country – secrecy, lies, misinformation, lack of transparency and manipulating the populace,” Peskin said. “He misled supporters and opponents of the run. People brought their families and their children, and (mayoral officials) hatched a cynical plan to please the Bush State Department and the Chinese government because of the incredible influence of money. SFGate

Update: The Mayor responds to criticism of his decision with these surreal statements:

“We felt it was in everyone’s best interest that we augment the route,” Newsom said. “I believe people were afforded the right to protest and support the torch. You saw that in the streets. They were not denied the ability to protest.” SF Gate

Mayor Gavin Newsom told The Associated Press that the well choreographed fake-out was prompted by the size and behaviour of the crowds amassing outside AT&T Park, site of the relay’s opening ceremony. There was “a disproportionate concentration of people in and around the start of the relay,” he said in a phone interview, while travelling in a caravan that accompanied the torch. The Canadian Press

The rest of my shots on Flickr.

Kowtow, rooted in the chinese language, Beijing, in the early 19th century.

1. “to show obsequious deference: FAWN; 2. to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect

One can never be sure if perception is reality, but the Mayor has certainly disappointed a large group of people who turned out to see the Olympic Torch pass through SF. It did pass through the city, and for all we know it could still be out there. But it is being hidden. There is some symbolism in there, I’m sure.

We will be told that it was done for the safety of the runners and the citizens who turned out to see it. Of course, this will only remain as the Mayors rationalization. One would think that with what seemed like the ENTIRE SFPD on hand along with Chinese security, that the route could be secured? The SFPD are the nations foremost experts on riot control, but they weren’t ready for this?

The Mayor and the rest of his organization are cowards today. Or worse, they kowtowed to the Chinese to create a false perception of the Torch Run through SF today.

Related:

• SF Gate:Torch relay, protest taunts competing in S.F.
• SF Gate: Torch headed out of San Francisco after surprise route designed to thwart protesters

UPDATE, 4:10 PM: The closing ceremony has officially been cancelled. Reported by the SF Gate.

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More posting including pictures and some video from the original starting point of the run upcoming…