Yan Ge was born and raised in Sichuan, a province in China known for its rich history and vibrant culture. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in literature and began writing in Chinese. Over time, her passion for storytelling grew, and she became a prolific writer in her native language.

Elsewhere” is Yan Ge’s debut novel written in English, showcasing her talent as a storyteller. The book takes readers on a journey through various time periods and locations, immersing them in a world that is both familiar and foreign. The stories in “Elsewhere” are jangly and eclectic, filled with dissonances and unexpected twists. That’s Young Li’s,” Small Bamboo said. “One big living room and three bedrooms for him, his wife, and two kids. There’s even a kitchen inside. God knows where that prawn got it from!”She planned to return to the US, but Daniel persuaded her otherwise. “He had a really good strategy. He said, ‘I’m happy to go [to the US]. But as a writer, you’ve experienced China and the United States, both big countries with dominating cultures. And it might be good for you as a writer if you go to Ireland to experience a smaller country.’” She laughs. “So he really knew me. Coming to Ireland would potentially make me a better writer. That’s how he sold it to me.” Hence, as mentioned above, Ge’s willingness to jump off a cliff.

The second story, "Shooting an Elephant", is about a Chinese-born young woman's life as a newly wed in Ireland, dealing with the consequences of a recent miscarriage and trying to find herself in the predominantly white environment. An interesting glimpse into the emotional struggles she is subject to, and a revealing study of modern dejection, with the main character not dissimilar to those found in Sally Rooney or Naoise Dolan's works. Strange Beasts of China feels like a riddle and a parable and a dream, the kind of book you want to get lost in.”The more marginalised we are from the centre the less we are allowed to talk, write and think as ourselves… You're always seen, by others and by yourself, as a woman, a foreigner, an outsider, therefore the subordinate, the inferior and the inauthentic. In the realm of literature, the arrival of a talented new voice is always cause for celebration. Such is the case with Yan Ge, a rising star in the literary world whose English debut, “Elsewhere,” has captivated readers with its visceral storytelling and profound exploration of identity and displacement. Published in 2022, this remarkable novel marks a significant milestone in Ge’s career, showcasing her exceptional ability to weave a compelling narrative while delving into the complexities of human existence. But there’s also a defiance in Yan Ge’s unapologetic usage of Chinese characters, historic events, and phrases in Mandarin. As if to say: as a storyteller I have no responsibility to give you the footnotes; you do the homework yourself. Just like how English writers would not care to elaborate when they quote liberally from their canons. One recurring theme in the book is the exploration of the relationship between language and understanding. In the first story, we meet Pigeon, a young fiction writer who falls in with a group of drunken poets. They tell her that understanding poetry is not necessary; it’s about the experience and emotion it evokes. This theme of the power of language and its ability to transcend understanding is woven throughout the stories in “Elsewhere.” I took the bottle, walked outside, and sat down at the table with Vertical, her boyfriend Chilly, and Six Times. A woman with a basket approached, wondering if any of us would be interested in purchasing her goods. She lifted up the lid, revealing the little turtles inside. They were luminous, as white as pearls.

We then talked about The Plague and The Myth of Sisyphus, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. Not far from us, Old Stone, Small Bamboo, Young Li, and Calm were playing mahjong on a square table. Calm wore a green cardigan on top of the red floral dress. She hurrahed, pushed down her tiles, and clapped. The three men handed over their money. The others were watching TV inside the Little House. The volume was loud, announcing that the government was installing a new water filtration system in the reservoir. “…We are fighting minutes and snatching seconds,” it said. The fifth, "Free Wandering", is about a young Chinese man arriving at what appears to be New York to meet his cousin. The man is overwhelmed by the enormity of the city, the chaos of its inhabitants, and the attitude of people towards him. As the story progresses, the man gets increasingly flustered, culminating in a surprising ending. A rather good description of what it means to be lost in a completely new setting, and what impact it might have on one's psyche.

The visceral quality of the stories in “Elsewhere” is another notable aspect. Characters often find themselves in states of discomfort, with instances of vomiting and references to eating meat taking on a horrifying resonance. This adds intensity to the narratives, allowing readers to vividly experience the physical and emotional struggles faced by the characters.

For the first time in many years, I felt a tingling of contentment. I ate meat and drank water. I had a bed to sleep in. Before long, I would go to my bed and have a dream about butterflies, and, just like Zhuangzi, I would not be able to tell if it was me who dreamed about the butterflies or a butterfly who dreamed about me. Yan Ge applies her trademark stylistic prowess to bitesize stories, which follow protagonists as they navigate the sense of otherness with varying degrees of success. Pour a crisp glass of something and settle in for a ride, it’ll be time well spent." — Rolling Stone The English-language debut from celebrated author Yan Ge is a genre-bending short story collection that’s as haunting, dreamlike, and addictive as a melatonin-induced slumber." — NylonElsewhere” by Yan Ge is a collection of stories that captivates readers with its jangly and eclectic narratives. The book explores the relationship between language and understanding, showcasing the power of words to evoke emotions and experiences beyond comprehension. With its cosmopolitan settings and visceral quality, “Elsewhere” pushes the boundaries of storytelling and establishes Yan Ge as a talented and versatile writer.