New Chinese classic makes first appearance at London Book Fair

Hope and Life, the English-language version of a 600,000-character Chinese novel attracting a lot of attention, made its debut at this year's London Book Fair, which runs until Thursday and boasts the participation of more than 1,700 companies from 60 countries and regions.

More than 40 Chinese publishers, supported by the National Press and Publication Administration, are showcasing at least 2,300 China-themed books at the event, which is being held at the Olympia exhibition center in West London.

First published in 2021 in China by Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing, Hope and Life took Hu Xuewen, a renowned writer and Lu Xun Literary Prize winner, eight years to finish. It scooped almost all of 2021's Chinese literary prizes.

The book portrays a great literary figure — "Zunai" — whose image is believed to last perpetually in literature. Also portrayed are the characters and different destinies of a vivid group of Chinese people, further exploring what maintains the perpetual lifeline of the Chinese people.

The English version of Hope and Life was launched on Tuesday, with participation from China's embassy in the UK, Phoenix Publishing & Media Group, Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing, the New Classic Press (UK), and the Chinese Literature Reader's Club (UK).

Speaking at the UK book launch on Tuesday, Li Liyan, minister counselor for cultural affairs at China's embassy in London, said: "Sino-English literary exchanges have a long history, and the literature of both countries has a pivotal position in the world.

"I think one of the better ways to understand China, especially China in the new era, is to read excellent Chinese literature, especially excellent works from contemporary Chinese writers. Hope and Life is a precious gift from Chinese writers to readers all over the world. It is our hope that British readers can feel the charm of traditional Chinese culture and understand the values and cultural heritage of contemporary China through this work."

Li said he hopes there will be more Chinese writers and literary works to tell the world the story of today's China and deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between China and other countries.

Tony Caplin, general manager of New Classic Press, the publisher of the English version of the book, said: "The novel provides readers with an encyclopedic glimpse into the life of rural China, through the eyes of an aging, bedridden midwife named Qiao Damei.

"The book spans China's past century of social upheavals, from the end of the imperial era, through the age of republicanism, and into the modern age. Despite the focal story taking place through the span of a single day and night, the midwife Qiao Damei's experiences throughout her lifetime and the stories she tells are the stuff of epics."

The book has already received many accolades in China, including the Best Book of the Year 2021, being ranked No 1 in the 2020 Fiction category, and making it onto the 2020 Annual Golden List of Novels.

"These awards serve as a testament to the book's literary excellence and the author's immense talent," Caplin said.

Jin Guohua, deputy general manager of Phoenix Publishing & Media Group, one of the biggest publishing companies in China and the parent company of the novel's Chinese publisher, said: "This masterpiece has made a significant impact on the literature community and gained widespread attention and praise from readers. It is also being translated into several other languages, in addition to English, and will soon be available to a wider audience worldwide.

"We sincerely hope that through the publication of these books in different languages, more readers will immerse themselves in the stories of true China and gain a comprehensive understanding of China and its people today. We also look forward to introducing excellent foreign books, presenting them to the majority of Chinese readers, building bridges for cultural exchanges between China and countries around the world."

Books such as the Dictionary of Chinese Cultural Knowledge and Business Chinese have also been exhibited, as has a children's picture book illustrated by the British-Chinese illustrator Yu Rong called The Visible Sounds, which made a splash during a panel discussion at the book fair.