NUCLEAR POWER NUCLEAR GAME received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Helen Huang.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The book is titled NUCLEAR POWER NUCLEAR GAME. It was published on 31 March 2021.
What’s the book’s first line?
His voice jolted Zoe out of her memories.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Nuclear Power Nuclear Game is about two nuclear scientists’ fight against international nuclear proliferation and a love torn apart by conflicting ideologies.
Zoe and John have a perfect life, with promising careers and marriage plans. But their innocence is soon shattered when the Chinese Communist Party seizes power in 1949. Zoe finds herself locked in a political cage, indoctrinated, and forced to make nuclear bombs for China. Meanwhile, John maintains his belief in anti-nuclear proliferation and is recruited to the CIA to monitor Pakistan’s nuclear program in Islamabad. Over the course of decades of separation and individual struggles in the face of competing ideologies, their loyalty to each other and their faith in love will be tested.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
My own personal experience working at a nuclear institute in China inspired me to write this book. During my time working as an architect at the Institute, it was the only nuclear research institute in China designing nuclear power plants, where some of the top scientists and engineers were transferred from military facilities. There I found a common attitude shared by many, a blind loyalty to their country often to the point of misfortune. I admired them in some ways, but also felt sorry for them.
I still remember the particular day; we were told to stay in our offices when the Iran nuclear delegation visited our institute. I asked quietly whether Iran really needed nuclear power considering it had plenty of oil, but nobody was interested in my question. Instead, my colleagues were busy talking about how much money the Iran project could cash in. Many years later after I migrated to Australia and was able to access information about international nuclear proliferation, I gradually formed a better understanding about what had happened on that day. Therefore, this book is a unique reflection on my experience and those of my former colleagues in the broader context of international nuclear politics.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Those who like to read politics thrillers, will find this book particularly intriguing. Elements of espionage and romance are also intertwined to produce a captivating and unique story.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Despite their individual complications during their decades of separation, both Zoe and John never lose their honesty, holding onto their faith in love and their loyalty to each other.
In many ways, the main character Zoe is written in memory of my father who was branded a black element during the Cultural Revolution. He was punished and indoctrinated by the communist regime so significantly that at one point, even after he had survived his suicide attempt, myself and my siblings were mandated to read propaganda works for one hour every night after dinner. However, through it all, he never lost his characteristic kindness.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
When I started writing this book, I imagined Joan Chen suiting the role of Zoe. Both women have beautiful soft features with an undefeatable toughness underneath. Ideally, she would be played by an actress of Chinese ethnicity with the ability to interpret the terror experienced under the Chinese communist regime.
I imagined John could be played by George Clooney, who has a good combination of a clear mind and a tough but romantic exterior.
When did you first decide to become an author?
When I was in primary school, I dreamed of being an author one day. I started to write stories, I called them mini-novels, but I was warned by my father not to study liberal arts, so I would not get into trouble for the rest of my life.
My father was very creative. Once on a wall at home, he sketched a dragon next to his parent’s portrait and wrote a poem in beautiful Chinese calligraphy, describing the dragon and how it would fly high once it awoke. When the workers’ rebellion team came to search our home and saw the dragon, although it was under Chairman Mao’s portrait, they still accused him of having the ambition to fly above Chairman Mao like the dragon.
I fully understood his warning was from his own painful experience, because during the Cultural Revolution, as his children, we were bullied as little black elements too. Therefore, I chose to study architecture instead. I wish I could tell my father now that it is okay to study arts, because I’m in Australia.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Nuclear Power Nuclear Game is my first published book.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I run a house design and construction business. So I write when my business is not too busy.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Finding a trustworthy publisher to handle all publishing matters. I’m very grateful for Tellwell’s excellent service in helping bring my debut novel to audiences around the globe.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Publishing this book is a fulfilment of my childhood dream.
After arriving in Australia, I have always had the urge to contribute something to my new country. So writing this book is kind of my way of saying thank you to Australia, as well as to remind the rest of the free world, let’s not forget the ongoing battle with Communism.