“Billed as a rare event offering insights into the literary landscape of modern China, Wednesday’s panel discussion with Ma Jian, Li Er, and Geling Yan provided a packed cafe with a chance to see three great figures discuss their writings in a relaxed environment. In listening to Ma Jian’s personal tale of visiting his comatose brother and missing the Tiananmen Square protests, or Geling Yan’s depiction of what she termed a “beautiful suicide,” we the audience were entertained by accomplished storytellers....