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Cheng Lei, the Australian journalist recently released after being detained in China, has spoken candidly about the vital role books played in sustaining her during her imprisonment. In a deeply personal account, she reflects on the agonizing wait for literature to arrive and the profound comfort found within its pages. This article explores the power of reading as a lifeline, the bureaucratic hurdles faced in accessing it, and the hope it offered amidst challenging circumstances.

Cheng Lei's experience highlights the unexpected strength found in literature. During her time in detention, access to the outside world was severely limited. Books, however, provided a crucial connection to normalcy, intellectual stimulation, and a sense of hope. She recalls the anxious anticipation of each delivery, wondering what titles would arrive and how they might offer respite from the isolation. The desire for “something densely printed, something to ease the pain,” speaks volumes about the psychological toll of imprisonment and the profound need for distraction and escape.

The process of receiving books wasn't straightforward. Cheng Lei's reflections on the embassy visit and the ongoing censor review underscore the bureaucratic hurdles imposed on detainees. The uncertainty surrounding the approval of her book – and the agonizing two-week wait – exemplifies the restrictive environment she faced. The seemingly mundane question, “Why hasn't the book been through censor review yet? What book will it be?” reveals the immense psychological pressure of living under constant scrutiny and control. The simple act of reading, a fundamental right, became a complex and delayed process.

The types of books Cheng Lei hoped for –