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BEIJING: US election fever has long subsided, but half a world away in China, bookworms are still snapping up titles on Barack Obama as many hope to take a page from his meteoric rise in politics.
The book "Audacity of Hope" became the New York Times bestseller two years ago, but it is only now that the book has become a must-read in China.
Some 45,000 copies of the book, authored by Obama himself, have been printed in Mandarin so far.
Yan Ying from Sales Management Centre, Beijing Books Building, said: "We began bringing in Obama titles in May and more in October. Now we have twelve titles.
"The most popular titles are his autobiography, 'The Audacity of Hope', and 'Barack Obama'. We intend to bring in more titles as the demand is still high."
Even analysis pieces written by Chinese scholars and quotable quotes for light reading are flying off the shelves.
One lady said she does not want to read in between the lines of media coverage to find out more about Obama's China policy. "It's an international affair which we should be concerned about," she said.
Chinese readers also said Obama's life story inspires them. "Prejudices still exist in China, like between northerners and southerners. I'm curious to see with a black president onboard, if America has truly overcome racial biases to become a democratic country. I hope China can achieve that, too," one said.
"Obama's growing up years could inspire our kids today. My students are mainly teenagers who are going through a rebellious phase. Obama's mother was clearly a very influential figure in shaping his formative years, so I'd like to inculcate the values of parent-child relationship through his story," another added.
Indeed, Obama could do more than help reclaim the American Dream.
- CNA/so
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