The Hindi translation of Chinese author Xuemo's novel 'Wild Fox Ridge' was recently launched in New Delhi, marking another step in the growing literary exchange between China and India. The translation was completed by award-winning translator Anand Swaroop Verma and published by Prakashan Sansthan, a press dedicated to introducing world literature to Indian readers.
The launch event brought together scholars, translators and literary figures including B.R. Deepak, a sinologist and director of the Center for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, and scholar Ravindra Tripathi. During the event, featured speakers read selected passages from the Hindi edition and engaged in discussions on the novel's literary themes and cultural context.
Tripathi described Xuemo as "a writer with international acclaim," praising the intellectual depth and narrative breadth of his work. Rahul Sharma, director of Prakashan Sansthan, noted the distinctive quality of Xuemo's writing. "Among the Chinese novels I've read, Xuemo's work is particularly distinctive and unpredictable," Sharma said. "His sketch-like portrayal of everyday life in rural China, combined with a reflective narrative approach, offers readers a refreshing experience."
Several of Xuemo's works have previously been released in Hindi, including 'Selected Stories by Xuemo,' 'The World Is a Reflection of the Mind,' 'Wild Fox Ridge' and 'Desert Rites.' These books continue to attract attention from both academic circles and general readers in India. Students and faculty at the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University have shown growing interest in Xuemo and his works, which are frequently used in literary research and cross-cultural studies.
Beyond its Hindi edition, 'Wild Fox Ridge' has gained significant international recognition through its English-language edition. In 2025, the novel stood out among tens of thousands of entries worldwide, receiving several honors including the International Impact Book Awards, the NYC Big Book Award and the International Book Awards. According to commentary published by international media, 'Wild Fox Ridge' represents a major stylistic shift in Xuemo's literary career. Compared with his earlier realist works such as the Desert Trilogy, the novel blends historical narration with mystical and symbolic elements.
The novel is set within a ritual of "summoning the souls" and recounts the mysterious disappearance of two camel caravans in western China more than a century ago. Through 28 spectral monologues, the story revisits the inner lives, beliefs and moral dilemmas of camel drivers struggling to survive in the unforgiving desert. Critics have called the work a poetic reimagining of the mythology in China's western region.
During the launch, visitors browsed the new release and spoke with featured guests, taking photos with Xuemo's works for commemoration. For more information about Xuemo and his other works, readers can visit www.xuemo.com or shop.xuemo.com.
