On March 19th the panel talk “Western China Literature in a Global Context” was held at Victoria Library in London featuring Chinese author Xue Mo, publisher Christopher MacLehose, and international literary scout Koukla MacLehose.
The event was hosted by the UK charity Mothers’ Bridge of Love. It was part of its Culture for Kids initiative
Xuemo is one of China’s most celebrated contemporary authors, known for his evocative storytelling that captures the landscapes, traditions, and spiritual depth of Western China. His works, including Desert Rites and Wild Fox Ridge, explore themes of Daoist philosophy, faith, and the resilience of desert women. They offer a unique literary lens into an underrepresented region.
During the discussion, Xue Mo shared his experiences in introducing Western China’s literature to an international readership. He emphasized that, despite the challenges of cultural translation, the universal themes of humanity in storytelling can resonate across different cultures.
He also explained that he has never had any formal writing training. When first writing he found that bestsellers were thin, but his works were very thick. His translator Haowen Ge thought of refining the best parts, making Into the Desert suitable for an American audience.
Meanwhile, Christopher MacLehose reflected on his experience publishing Jin Yong’s martial arts novels in English, explaining how he assessed the English market for Chinese literature and the unique appeal of translated works. Koukla MacLehose provided valuable insights from her career in literary scouting, discussing how she has sold the rights of English books to over 20 countries, including China.
The discussion also explored the challenges faced by translated literature. The panelists highlighted the difference between works written for a Chinese audience and later translated into English versus books written in English about Chinese themes for Western readers.
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was that a great writer does not write for a particular audience, but for themselves—a sentiment all three speakers agreed upon.
The event brought together a diverse audience, including authors, translators, and publishing professionals. It concluded with a warm and interactive question-and-answer session. Attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions about literary translation, publishing, and cross-cultural storytelling.
As part of Mothers’ Bridge of Love ongoing mission to promote cultural exchange and diverse storytelling, this event successfully brought together leading voices in publishing and literature to explore how Western China’s rich literary heritage can reach a global audience.
Written by Robert Postings and Haoxuezi Tian. If you liked this article why not read: Home Village English Edition by Chinese Author Wang Yuewen Debuts in London
