Popular novel Fortress Besieged debuts on e-book platform for the first time in 70 years
The e-book version of Fortress Besieged, a popular novel by Qian Zhongshu, debuted on a Chinese e-book reading platform today — the first time the book has been officially digitalized.
Fortress Besieged, published 70 years ago, represents the peak of contemporary Chinese literature. Around 7.9 million of the books have been printed, according to its publisher, People’s Literature Publishing House.
Beijing-based iReader paid 1 million yuan (US$145,000) to get the copyright of the e-book of Fortress Besieged.
iReader, which has been approved for an initial public offering in China, will digitalize more classical books and high-quality titles for young readers, said You Ting, vice president of iReader.