The Hindi edition of contemporary Chinese novel 'Wild Fox Ridge' made its debut at the New Delhi Book Fair, marking a significant development in literary exchange between India and China. Translated by award-winning translator Anand Swaroop Verma and published by New Delhi–based Prakashan Sansthan, this release continues the press's longstanding mission of introducing world literature to Indian readers.
The book 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 about 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,' which continue to attract attention from both academic circles and general readers in India.
This literary exchange holds particular importance as 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. The availability of his works in Hindi makes them more accessible to Indian readers and scholars, potentially deepening understanding between the two cultures.
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's plot centers on a ritual of "summoning the souls" that 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 event, visitors browsed the new release, spoke with featured guests, and took commemorative photos with Xuemo's works. For those interested in learning more about Xuemo and his other works, additional information is available through various online platforms including www.xuemo.com, shop.xuemo.com, and www.xuemobooks.com. The novel is also available through major retailers including www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRFGF6SF.
