The East is read
The internet is changing Chinese literature
DIGITAL books are changing traditional publishing models everywhere. In America and Britain, the rise of electronic books is the cause. China's revolution is different.
“I can't identify any popular literary trend that didn't originate online,” says Jo Lusby of Penguin China. Although e-readers are still scarce, the internet has greatly affected reading habits. Chinese people increasingly read books on phones, tablets and laptops. People under 30, who are most likely to own such devices, are the most avid readers, says Eric Abrahamsen, a Beijing-based publishing consultant.
This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline "The East is read"
From the March 10th 2012 edition
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