NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR GAME
Set during China’s march towards nuclear power amid the political turmoil of the Cold War, the duology spans decades and multiple countries across the globe. It portrays the relentless struggle of two nuclear scientists as they fight for world peace and their eternal love despite being torn apart by conflicting ideologies.
Nuclear Power Nuclear Game (published in 2021)
The year is 1950. Zoe and John, two young nuclear scientists from Berkeley, seem to have the perfect life, with promising careers and marriage plans. However, their innocence is shattered when the Chinese Communist Party seizes power. Zoe chooses to postpone the wedding and return to China, only to find herself locked in a political cage and separated from John indefinitely. Caught in a complex web of revolutionary propaganda and forced to participate in dangerous nuclear weapon research, Zoe must confront the looming question of where her true loyalties lie: with her country or with John back in America. Meanwhile John consistently puts his life on the line as he tirelessly works to uphold global nuclear safety.
Nuclear Shadow Nuclear Dawn (to be published)
After the Tiananmen massacre, John is deported from China. Once again separated by the Iron Curtain, Zoe and John find themselves on the course of anti-nuclear proliferation. John resumes work for UN nuclear safety in Vienna while helping the CIA to enforce sanctions on Iran. Zoe’s daughter, Little Red, unexpectedly arrives in the US with a Chinese nuclear delegation to acquire additional technical knowledge for an Iran project. With the looming threat of severe nuclear proliferation, the stakes are high for everyone involved.
AUTHOR Q+A
Q: What inspired you to write Nuclear Power Nuclear Game?
A: My experience working at a nuclear institute in China inspired me to write this book. This institute is China’s first nuclear research facility dedicated to designing nuclear power plants. It attracted many brilliant scientists and engineers, some of whom were transferred from military backgrounds. However, their unwavering allegiance to their country sometimes resulted in regrettable outcomes.
I vividly remember the day when we were told to stay in our offices as the Iran nuclear delegation visited our institute. My colleagues were preoccupied with discussing the potential financial gains from the Iran project, and no one questioned whether Iran truly needed nuclear power, given its abundance of oil. After moving to Australia and gaining a comprehensive understanding of international nuclear proliferation, I feel responsible and obligated to document my experience of living and working at a nuclear institute in China, which is a showcase of China’s nuclear development and its impact on atomic peace worldwide.
Q: Why did you decide to publish this book?
A: Publishing this duology is the fulfillment of a cherished childhood dream. Despite my father’s encouragement to pursue architecture over liberal arts, I rediscovered my passion for writing novels upon arriving in Australia. After the Tiananmen Massacre on June 4th, 1989, the hope that Chinese people still held for a democratic China, even after enduring the torturous years of the Cultural Revolution, was utterly shattered. Many people gave up and left China, including myself.
I am truly grateful for the opportunities that being Australian has provided. I wholeheartedly embrace the rich culture, the values of liberty, equality and justice that this country stands for. It empowers me to express my views through my writing and pursue my entrepreneurship career. Therefore, this duology also serves as a testament to my deep appreciation for Australia’s acceptance of me.
This duology is a work of fiction, but it draws heavily from my personal experiences and those of my former colleagues in the realm of global nuclear politics. The main character, Zoe, a Chinese nuclear scientist, is deeply influenced by my father, who was wrongly accused during the Cultural Revolution and almost died from a suicide attempt. Despite his hardships, he never lost his characteristic kindness and the unwavering love he showed me.
Q: What do you hope readers get out of reading Nuclear Power Nuclear Game?
A: The world has been lacking comprehensive information on China’s nuclear advancements and their global impact on atomic peace. Hence, this duology significantly fills this void in the publishing market.
China’s economic growth over the last four decades has been attributed to forced labor, technology theft from the West, and deceitful practices on the international stage. Since the Chinese Communist Party took power in 1949, its goal of global leadership has remained unchanged. As political tensions between China and the West continue to intensify, this perspective provides a deeper understanding of China from a rarely explored angle.
The characters’ journey in the duology can spark readers’ imagination, optimism, integrity, gratitude, and resilience. Zoe, the protagonist, displayed unwavering strength as she faced political pressures, sexual violence, suicidal thoughts, and numerous adversities. It is truly inspiring to witness John’s steadfast commitment to global nuclear safety, even at the risk of his own life. The story will captivate readers as it skilfully combines elements of espionage, political intrigue, romance, and rich historical context. Above all, it can encourage readers to have a renewed belief in the power of love.
Q: Can you share a bit of a teaser from the book, something that isn’t mentioned in the synopsis?
A: It took me sixteen years to complete the novel “NUCLEAR POWER NUCLEAR GAME” while I was bringing up my daughters and running my domestic building business. However, upon nearing publishing the novel via Tellwell, I realized that the content might be too extensive for just one book. After careful consideration, I decided to divide the story into two books. The first one concludes at the point where John is deported from China following the events of the Tiananmen Massacre in June 1989. This led to the development of the sequel, “NUCLEAR SHADOW NUCLEAR DAWN,” which further enriches the original book.
I found deep inspiration while writing this duology. For instance, Igor’s father made the courageous choice not to create atomic bombs for Stalin and ultimately lost his life in the Gulag. In contrast, Igor became involved in nuclear smuggling. While Zoe was held captive in China, compelled to design atomic bombs in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and forced into a party-arranged marriage. John secretly monitored Pakistan’s atomic program, and in Vienna, he narrowly escaped with his life while intercepting nuclear materials smuggled from China to Iran. John’s unwavering devotion to nuclear peace always uplifted me when I wrote about him.
Some readers have asked if Zoe represents me. She doesn’t. Instead, she represents the innocence, selfless love, and hardworking spirit of my parents’ generation. However, Zoe’s daughter, Little Red, reflects my thoughts and action. I belong to a generation of Chinese who grew up during the Cultural Revolution. The Tiananmen Massacre shattered our hopes for reforming China into a democratic nation, leading many of us to leave the country. Then, a young nuclear engineer from China defected while visiting the US with a delegation for an Iran project. This significant event inspired me to seamlessly incorporate Little Red’s dramatic decision into the sequel, forming the main storyline.
It’s inspiring to see the main characters holding onto their faith in love and integrity despite facing complications. So, I give the story a Hollywood-style ending to serve as a beacon of hope: Having endured many trials and tribulations, Zoe and John finally reunite, and Little Red finds her prince charming in America.
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