Reported by Xinhua, Guo Xiaolu’s first English novel entitled “A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary For Lovers” was recently published (in Feb.).

This is not the first time a writer has addressed cultural differences and conflict between Oriental and Western lovers. But Guo Xiaolu’s novel “A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary For Lovers” approaches differences and love in a humorous and touching way, making the journey between East and West both painful and delightful.

Published in English by Random House’s Chatto & Windus in February, the novel is written deliberately in bad English, and “it is a delicate combination of unwitting humor, sadness, sex and displacement”. As reported by Xinhua, the novel is now available online from Amazon.com, but not yet in local bookstores, and it is not available in Chinese.

Although it has taken a philosophical approach, and not very easy to read for non-native English readers, American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective is still a quite useful reference for people interested in knowing more about American culture .

The book was written by Edward C. Stewart, Milton J. Bennett in 1991. The picture link here will take you to Amazon for more details of the book.

Xinhuanet quoted an article on China Daily talking about the current situation of translated books in the Chinese book market:

(BEIJING, March 25) Translated books are flying off the shelves of Chinese bookstores, a sign that converted reading material is becoming a booming market in the nation. Chinese readers are opting to cosy up with titles like “Harry Potter” and “The Half-Blood Prince”, “The Da Vinci Code” and “My Life” by Bill Clinton, which are among the country’s bestsellers. Those in the industry say it means the Chinese are searching for more mature literature and those with Western ideas like never before.The translated version of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series swept the sales records of its Chinese publisher, the Beijing-based People”s Literature Publishing House, since being first introduced to China in 2000.

When Chen Min, director of the rights department of the People’s Literature Publishing House, first got the rights for “Harry Porter,” there was mixed feelings over how it would be received in China.

“But we are certain we’ve never read such a great children book with so much imagination before. It was going to have an strong impact,” Chen said.

It has sold more than 7 million copies so far in the country where students are barraged with mounds of homework, and fewer and fewer people can afford the leisure of literary enjoyment.
IPR Issue

Regardless of the readers’ receptions, the expanded presence of translated foreign books in Chinese market has made the industry more aware of copyright issues from a decade ago.

“I don’t think any publisher in China would translate a book without getting the consent from its native publisher,” said Chen.

When it comes to successfully transplanting a foreign best-selling book into Chinese bookstores, Chen said a publisher must be well read and highly experienced with “a six sense”.

“It is a risky business. No one can actually predict whether a book will become a hit or not.”

Yet, at the basic level, the quality of the book what’s behind the book”s cover and behind its success in its native market is the best insurance of a market hit, Chen stressed.