Western China Literature in a Global Context: Bridging Borders Through Storytelling

On 19 March 2025, Victoria Library in London hosted an insightful literary discussion titled “Western China Literature in a Global Context”, featuring renowned Chinese author Xuemo, esteemed publisher Christopher MacLehose, and international literary scout Koukla MacLehose. The event brought together a diverse audience, including authors, translators, and publishing professionals, to explore the challenges and opportunities of introducing Western China’s literary heritage to the global stage.

Xuemo, a leading voice in contemporary Chinese literature, shared his experiences in bringing stories from China’s western regions to an international readership. He emphasised the universal human themes within his works—such as faith, resilience, and survival—that allow literature to transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Christopher MacLehose, widely regarded as a champion of translated literature, reflected on the process of publishing Jin Yong’s martial arts novels in English, offering insights into the complexities of assessing the market for Chinese literature. He highlighted the delicate balance between maintaining cultural authenticity and adapting narratives for Western readers.

Koukla MacLehose, drawing from her extensive career in literary scouting, provided a behind-the-scenes perspective on selling English-language books to more than 20 countries, including China. She discussed how scouting helps publishers discover works with international appeal and how cultural nuances shape the way books are received across different markets.

The discussion also touched upon the challenges of translating literature written for Chinese audiences. The panel explored how some works resonate deeply when translated, while others—due to linguistic and cultural differences—may require careful adaptation to reach English-speaking readers. This led to a broader conversation on the distinction between translated Chinese literature and English-language works that focus on Chinese themes for Western readers.

A key takeaway from the discussion was the idea that great writers do not write for a specific audience—they write for themselves. This sentiment was echoed by all three speakers, reinforcing the belief that authenticity in storytelling is what ultimately connects with readers worldwide.

The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where audience members engaged in meaningful discussions about translation, publishing, and the role of literature in cross-cultural dialogue.