Wuhan Diary audiobook cover - Dispatches from a Quarantined City

Wuhan Diary

Dispatches from a Quarantined City

Fang Fang

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Wuhan Diary
Initial Outbreak & Cover-up+
Panic & Despair in Lockdown+
Community Resilience & Mutual Aid+
Demanding Accountability+
Censorship & Online Harassment+
Sluggish Recovery & Secondary Disasters+
Reopening & Final Takeaways+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
What was the 'tragic misconception' conveyed by Dr. Wang's eight fateful words early in the outbreak?
  • A. The virus was a mild strain of the flu and would pass quickly.
  • B. The virus was not contagious between people and was controllable.
  • C. The virus originated from a foreign military base.
  • D. The lockdown would only need to last for a maximum of two weeks.
Question 2 of 6
How did Fang Fang primarily share her experiences and observations during the 76-day lockdown?
  • A. By publishing weekly opinion pieces in the local Wuhan newspaper.
  • B. By broadcasting a daily radio show from her apartment.
  • C. By writing a public diary on the social media platform Sina Weibo.
  • D. By smuggling handwritten letters to an international publisher.
Question 3 of 6
Whose death on February 6 became a major catalyst for public anger and frustration against the government's mishandling of the virus?
  • A. Dr. Zhong Nanshan, the infectious disease specialist who ordered the lockdown.
  • B. A prominent local politician who had organized a massive New Year banquet.
  • C. Dr. Li Wenliang, a whistleblower medic who had been silenced early on.
  • D. Dr. Wang, the specialist who initially claimed the virus wasn't contagious.
Question 4 of 6
How did online trolls attempt to discredit Fang Fang's diary as it grew in popularity?
  • A. They accused her of manipulating a photo of cellphones at a crematorium and fabricating stories.
  • B. They claimed she was not actually living in Wuhan during the quarantine.
  • C. They exposed her as a paid agent of a Western pharmaceutical company.
  • D. They hacked her account and posted pro-government propaganda under her name.
Question 5 of 6
As the lockdown dragged on, what did Fang Fang identify as a major 'secondary disaster' requiring government attention?
  • A. A massive spike in violent crime and looting across the city.
  • B. The total collapse of the city's power grid due to overuse.
  • C. Economic devastation that left migrant workers stranded without food or shelter.
  • D. A severe outbreak of a different, unrelated disease in the temporary hospitals.
Question 6 of 6
In her final diary entries, what dual critique did Fang Fang offer regarding the global handling of the pandemic?
  • A. The Chinese government's overreaction and the World Health Organization's slow response.
  • B. The Chinese government's habit of concealment and Western governments' arrogance.
  • C. The media's sensationalism and the general public's refusal to wear face masks.
  • D. The pharmaceutical industry's greed and the failure of traditional Chinese medicine.

Wuhan Diary — Full Chapter Overview

Wuhan Diary Summary & Overview

Wuhan Diary (2020) is a collection of online essays by celebrated Chinese writer Fang Fang. They were published daily throughout Wuhan’s 76-day coronavirus lockdown. A fascinating and intimate report from the frontline, this diary chronicles the very beginnings of the pandemic that soon swept the world.

Who Should Listen to Wuhan Diary?

  • People interested in Chinese culture and politics
  • Those who enjoy eyewitness accounts of major world events
  • Anyone curious about the origins of COVID-19

About the Author: Fang Fang

Fang Fang is one of Wuhan’s most famous living writers. She was born into Mao’s China in 1955 and came of age during the Cultural Revolution. She has published nearly 100 books including novels, short stories, and a collection of essays. Fang Fang is a recipient of the Lu Xun Literary Prize and the Chinese Literature and Communications Prize for Outstanding Writer. 

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