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Prolific Chinese writer Xue Mo’s work is made accessible to English readers in this new translation -Wild Fox Ridge .
In the frame story, set in an unspecified time, an unnamed narrator travels to the barren Wild Fox Ridge, somewhere in China, to discover what happened to two camel caravans that disappeared 100 years earlier. In 27 chapters or interview “sessions,” the narrator conjures the ghosts of nine different characters—including one of the camels—who are eager to tell their stories.
These prove to be ribald and rambling accounts of petty jealousies, secret love affairs, greed, betrayal, and murder. The human rivalries also play out in the conflict between the leaders of the Chinese and Mongolian caravans, where the two camel “kings,” Brown Lion and Yellow Demon, come to blows over a pretty female in a competition that will bring down the entire quest.
Fans of Xue’s works will note many of his signatures: a sprawling cast of characters, elements of magical realism, and a rural China setting that shows a particular sensitivity for the life of the working classes. The narratives blend drama and mystery with romance and farce. Reviewed by Blue Ink.
Once I heard the new book“ Love Never Falls” of Xue Mo has been published,and that’s a novel on a fight against cancer，I was much keen to read it .At a time when the global epidemic is always changing,those works can connect the world that depict the themes of mental health humanistic concern and human love .Xue Mo’s works convey its true and sincere ,which are embedded in western China,they convey the grittiest parts of life for civilians there.Without any disguise in characters,we can be introduced a lot of descriptions of life.This is also the most attractive part for me during the translation process,I believe it’s also the first part to attract readers in South Korea.
Xue Mo’s works are imbued with much plentiful love and depict true humanity .In a rough living environment，Characters are employed in complex and contradictory and stand vividly on the text.Based on the Multi Characters ,we see a different spiritual world ,which is unique in China.Let alone in the world.It is full of quests about existences ,life and death and the soul;It is full of power of majestic ,grand ,vast an aningeresting.It is at the same time saturated with solicitude of gentle breeze and drizzle,and the slightest trace into your arms .It is saturated with enjoyment ,but also saturated with unknown.You’ll never guess how it ends .Since his works no bounds ,it brings a infinite imagination space to readers.
Xue Mo is much influential in sinology.Many of my close Sinologist friends are translating his work.We also expect readers in more countries to know him , to approach him.Mr. Xue Mo is a very prolific author ,we look forward to reading more of his work and translating his works further more. Korean Translator Jin Sheng yi Talks About XueMo’s Works.
I am here to share my experience after reading the latest translation work of renowned Chinese writer Xuemo “Selected Stories”. Of the various Chinese writers I have read so far, the writing of Xuemo is unique, highly unpredictable and can be easily distinguished from its subtle description of Chinese social, cultural life in a fascinating yet though-provoking manner.
I think his latest translation of selected stories is a must read for everyone, particularly for us (Indians) and for vast Hindi readers since the authors provide different perspectives of urban and rural life in China. Because of various political reasons and also because of lack of cultural exchange between us, we in India are quite unaware, rather ignorant, of Chinese social life and Chinese society at large. I find myself fortunate to read these stories and get acquainted about Chinese social life, traditions and customs which is very close to our society.
While reading his stories, there were moments when I felt very disturbed and upset. But then at the end there was always a ray of hope. The book is basically collection of four stories: ‘Old Man Xinjiang’, ‘Beauty’, ‘The Crunching of Broad Beans at Dead of Night’, and ‘The Women, the Camels and the Dholes’. The first two stories make the reader emotional and sink us deep into sadness. But the third story,‘The Crunching of Broad Beans at Dead of Night’reveals a new world where one finds the evils and cruelities of human beings at peak and shows the extreme degeneration of human beings into beast. It has a tinge of surrealism, sometimes close to magical realism. His imagination transcends all the barriers. The whole narrative makes the reader restless. In the last story ‘The Women, the Camels and the Dholes’, the narrative is so powerful that the reader also travels with Ying and Lan Lan and also with camels and Dholes into the vast, endless, dry desert. But even in extreme moments, the softness of life emerges and miracles take place.
After reading his selected works, it is easy to say that the Chinese author is unique in his narrative and highly imaginative. I hope the translation of his selected stories will get good readership and admired by people who love reading creative writing.
Thanks and have a good day! Indian Publisher Rahul Sharma Talks About XueMo’s Works
“I have seen some comments about Xue Mo’s works. Xue Mo is an all-talented writer whose themes involves biography and philosophy. He once said that for example, the body is important, but the essence is illusion .
I believe that even if Xue Mo himself lives in the desert, he can completely survive.”The Women ,the Camels and the Dholes ” should be a representative work for Xue Mo…
“You couldn’t get to grips with fate, but the enemy you could see and touch was your own body.”
“ On this trek, we are like the heroines in the short novel,we get into self-help, we get really close to death, and we take up a rifle loaded with… weirdly sentient bullets. It will make sense when we explain it… maybe…” Angus Stewart , a well -known blogger From The Translated Chinese Fiction Podcast in UK.
“It is my great honor to reflect on Xue Mo’s works. What touched me most were “Lanlan” and “Ying,” both featuring ordinary yet remarkable women who lead tenacious lives filled with strength.
When you read this book, you truly immerse yourself in it; your heart resonates with theirs. I found myself unable to detach for three days, as if experiencing an entire lifetime within its pages—an experience that lingers long after reading.
Though the book is quite short, it took me over 40 hours to finish because I could not rush through it. One must genuinely love what they are reading, especially when following the characters on their journeys…”Sarah Lam , anchor at BBC Radio 4.
“The Woman ,the Camels and the Dholes , which reminds me of the film Everthing is Nothing directed by director JC Chandor 13 years ago and Tracks, directed by John Curran, reflects a sobering theme,” When one loses the courage to live, he loses everything. “
Hopefully, The Women the Camels and the Dholes will also be made into a movie one day.” Nicola Clayton , the Producer of Audio Book Selected Stories By Xuemo in English.
“Over the past 20 years ,Chinese -English literary translation has brought me huge rewards.I have got to know many outstanding writers and their works and made many friends in the Chinese literary world.
I feel honored to have the opportunity to introduce Mr.Xue Mo’s novels to English language readers,and open a window to Chinese literature for them.”Reviewed by Nicky Harman(UK)
I have read with interest and gusto this work which, dealing with ethical-moral teachings and focusing on values of freedom, tolerance and coexistence, can be defined as belonging to an “hybrid” genre in between the essay and the narrative. From the author, originally from Gansu and known in China for works in various literary forms, which were totally unknown to me, I would like to read the “Trilogy of the Desert” and the “Trilogy of the Soul” driven by the interest ,I have for fiction forms which draw on the life and spirituality linked to the mythology and traditions of peoples, in this case those of the Chinese West. Reviewed by Maria Morigi（Italy）
（Maria Morigi has a degree in Archeology and Greek-Roman History of Art at the University of Trieste and a scholarship in History of Oriental Religions. ）
Selected Stories by Xue Mo is really interesting, in fact, there is no book about western China in the Polish market. I am very happy that the Polish readers will learn about the western culture. The metaphor in the book is also very interesting! It’s about the desert and Western culture of China.. I like it. Reviewed by Marta Torbicka(Poland)
UNY Press Editor James Peltz said, ” Reading The Curses of the Kingdom of Xixia is very fascinating, inspiring, can make people read again and again, each time the read has a different harvest and insight. Xue Mo is not only the author of this book, but also a “character” in the story. The book draws readers on multiple levels through the form of stories rather than traditional historical monographs. Academic books can stimulate our intelligence, and literature, whether fiction or poetry, touches our emotions and imagination. Great literary works like The Western Xia Mantra combine the two perfectly. We are not only attracted by the stories, but also by learning about history, culture, religion, and the lives of people from different regions. At the same time, Mr.James Peltz said that in today’s globalized society, although the country still exists, we cannot limit ourselves to our own small corners. I hope this novel will broaden the reader’s horizon, introduce different ways of thinking and feeling, and help people understand each other. We should learn, we should understand, we should see the bigger world.”
Ms.Chandler Crawford , the founder and literary agent of Chandler Crawford Agency Inc, I was delighted to meet the writer Xue Mo at the London Book Fair. She said, “Seeing Xue Mo himself at the London Book Fair” is the highlight of my work as an international literary agent for many years. Jonathan Karp, CEO of Simon & Schuster, said, ” He is really looking for a best-seller by a Chinese author! Xue Mo is like this.”
I really like this interview with Xue Mo, Xue Mo sang the folk song “flowers” is very good! He is a promising Asian writer.”Reviewed by Kate Delaney,the Emmy Award winner.
“Really enjoy learning about the Silk Road, in Xue Mo’s book.”
Jan listening on WSGO in New Orleans,US
“There is so much people just don’t know about China and even though I’ve been I found Xue Mo’s book filled in the blanks for me”
Marianne listening in Arizona on KVOI,US
“What a voice and a journey listening to and then reading Xue Mo’s book into the desert.”
Jake from Texas,US
I’m busy translating Xue Mo’s book and enjoy it a lot. Xue Mo’s thoughts is profound, at the same time, by translating Xue Mo’s works, I understand the profound traditional Chinese culture, which is novel to German readers, Xue Mo is a great and prolific writer.
Reviewed by Carina.Obster (Germany)
Xue Mo’s writings, which vividly depict the natural landscapes and human stories along the Silk Road in China’s western region, might initially seem distant and mysterious to European readers. However, it is precisely this sense of unfamiliarity that ignites their curiosity and motivates them to explore.
I believes that Xue Mot has compassion, and she can read his great love in The Wild Fox Ridge, which is hard to find in the works of other writers. Then, she hopes that excellent translators can “recognize them” and translate Xue Mo’s works into better German versions, so that more German readers can know with them. At the same time, in the face of such a huge number of Xue Mo works, she sighed, in addition to admiration, I “have nothing to say”. Martina Hasse remarked (Germany)
Reading foreign literature is not just for entertainment or thrill-seeking; it is a means to broaden one’s horizons and gain insight into the worldview and values of the “other.” Citing Xue Mo’s novel Desert Hunters as an example, Schütte described how the story portrays the lives of desert dwellers, herders, poachers, and anti-poachers in northwest China. This narrative not only reflects the reality of western China but also sheds light on global issues such as climate change, ecological imbalance, and humanity’s complex relationship with nature.I hope that good literary works can let us understand the lost history, people, life, so Xue Mo’s works do this.
The “uniqueness” of Xue Mo’s work shown as below: First, it is easy to read, especially the suspense part is fascinating. Secondly, the work integrates the history and the present, life and religion, love and wisdom together, making the work have a certain transcendence and irreplaceable nature. In his opinion, Xue Mo’s works cover a wide range of areas, not only literary works but also cultural works, including the essence of culture such as Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Reviewed by Dr. Hans-wilm Schutte(Born in 1948, he is a distinguished German sinologist and best-selling author. )
“How do we read foreign literature? Should we approach it as a window into a foreign culture, or as a mirror reflecting universal human experiences and challenges?” She highlighted the dual paths literature offers—on one hand, it allows readers to experience the unique aspects of a foreign culture, and on the other, it reveals universal truths that resonate across cultural boundaries.
Xue Mo’s novel Desert Hunters, noting that while the story is rooted in the specific context of China’s Gobi Desert, its themes and lessons resonate with readers worldwide. “The issue of desertification faced by the herders in Desert Hunters,” she explained, “is not merely a local problem in western China but a reflection of the global crisis of climate change and social responsibility.” Through these local stories, Xue Mo raises awareness of pressing environmental issues that transcend borders. Reviewed by Dr. Lena Henningsen(Germany).
“Xue Mo has a gift,” Marcenaro noted, “for expressing complex ideas in a clear, straightforward way.” He believes this simplicity not only enhances the literary quality of Xue Mo’s work but also makes it easier to translate while maintaining the original essence. Marcenaro expressed optimism about the future reach of Xue Mo’s works on the international stage, especially in drawing in younger readers.
“Xue Mo’s works have fulfilled my dream of longing for China since childhood. Please tell Mr.Xue Mo that he is not only a great writer, but also a great artist like Leonardo Da Vinci. Reviewed by Paolo Marcenaro ( Italy).
I read with special attention the book Selected Stories by the famous Chinese author Xue Mo, translated into Albanian by Mr. Haider is proud. The book “Selected Stories” by author Xue Mo is a collection of short stories written by Xue Mo, a representative writer of Western literature, and is entirely based on the Western land. On the surface, the subject of Xue Mo’s stories, whether they are about love or family love, always reveal desolation and tragedy, but if you think deeply, it turns out that the protagonists are stubbornly living their lives in the human wilderness and understanding the inner feelings in the way theirs of balance and peace. The interpretation of these stories by Mr. Proud Haideri, a well-known translator, it has been done with rare precision and skill. Reviewed by Nerida Guri ( a distinguished writer and translator from Albania).
Prominent author Xue Mo’s “Selected Stories” is a collection of stories set on the Silk Road that explore love, faith, life and death. The first three stories depict the lives and relationships of strangers in rural villages and offer a contemporary perspective on the impact of rumours, pain and suffering.The final novella is a survival story of two young women traveling through the desert accompanied by camels and pits.
These tales are a bridge to author Xue Mo’s creations. They are deeply influenced by his native roots in Gansu province and capture the essence of traditional Chinese culture. Xue Mo is known as a spiritual writer whose work presents an alternative way of life for people today. His distinctive style combines hallucinatory realism with the depiction of the harsh reality of rural life and the inner world of the Chinese people. His work has enjoyed wide media coverage and critical acclaim in China and is considered a quintessential example of literature from the western provinces.
The excellent realism of the Albanian language translation of these stories by Mr. Hajderi proudly enriches the fund of translations of foreign literature for the Albanian reader. Reviewed by Fetah Xhiholli( Albania).
“I am glad to see Master Xue Mo and your team again in Frankfurt. It is an honor. Xue Mo’s works are very attractive,We are looking forward to a more successful collaboration in the future.” Reviewed by ERICA JADE from Sweetspire literature.
Xue Mo’s recent appearance on my TV show, “Spotlight with Logan Crawford” on The Spotlight Network, was nothing short of extraordinary. His eloquence and deep understanding of the subject matter were evident throughout the show, captivating the audience with his insights and charm. Mo’s discussion of his latest book, set in 1990s Western China, was particularly compelling. He skillfully navigated the complexities of life in a Gansu village, situated on the fringes of the Gobi Desert and the remnants of the ancient Silk Road.
In his book, Mo masterfully portrays the struggles of two women defying poverty and entrenched traditions in their quest for a better future. His narrative is a poignant reminder of the clash between the past and present, and the relentless fight for change against the backdrop of centuries-old conventions. Mo’s ability to bring these issues to life, not only through his writing but also through his engaging discussion on the show, was truly remarkable.
The viewers were undoubtedly left with a deeper appreciation for Mo’s talent as an author, storyteller, and singer. His appearance on The Spotlight Network was not just informative; it was an inspiring journey through a world where determination and hope challenge the status quo. This segment is a testament to Mo’s exceptional ability to connect with people, both through his written words and his compelling on-screen presence. Thanks to Ida as well for being an effective translator for Xue Mo. Reviewed by Logan Crawford , Emmy Award winner.