哈金 超越字海

Ha Jin: Across an Ocean of Words

Xuefei Jin, who writes under the pen-name Ha Jin, was born in 1956 in Liaoning province in northern China.

At only 14 years of age, Ha Jin joined the People's Liberation Army.

He began teaching himself the middle and high school courses since his third year in the army.

After his military service ended, he taught himself English while working the night shift as a railroad telegrapher in Jiamusi, a remote frontier city in the Northeast.

During that time he followed the English learner's program, hoping someday to read Friedrich Engels'works in the English original.

Through his perseverance and hard work, he not only succeeded in improving his English skills but also got his bachelor's degree and master's degree in universities.

In 1985 he left for the United States to study English literature for future education.

"For the initial years it was like having a blood transfusion, like you are changing your blood," recalled Ha Jin.

But his perseverance paid off.