May 30, 2022China in Translation: Wild ChinaOur theme of the month features the rugged and remote landscapes of China as a key setting. Blessed by China’s diversity of biomes, these novels range from the mountains of Tibet to the steppes of Xinjiang, yet they all depict the wilderness as equally beautiful and terrifying. Ideas of ‘untouched’…Literature5 min readLiterature5 min read
May 16, 2022Recollections of Childhood in Contemporary Chinese FictionThis month we’re featuring novels that reflect on the experience of childhood. These books grapple with the reality of growing up compared to ideals of an innocent, protected childhood. They all depict growing up in a particular context — often a lost time, whether the twentieth century Tianjin of Faces…Chinese Literature4 min readChinese Literature4 min read
Mar 19, 2022China in Translation: Four Historical Chinese NovelsOur theme of the month is historical novels in a Chinese context. Imperial intrigue, swords and silk — China has thousands of years of rich history that contemporary authors continue to make use of, not to mention the rich cultural history that goes along with past dynasties. …Literature5 min readLiterature5 min read
Feb 14, 2022China in translation: 4 books to understand urban ChinaOur theme of the month is urban China. Covering past centuries to the present day, noble residences to seedy alleys, the capital to the province, the following books provide a range of experiences yet are all concerned with city living and survival. The Elm Tree: Seeds of Change (original title: 满树榆钱儿) Ma Pinglai Translated by James Trapp It has…Chinese5 min readChinese5 min read
Jan 21, 2022The Sons of Red Lake and Chinese Elemental PhilosophyThe latest novel by Zhou Daxin to be released in English, The Sons of Red Lake tells the story of a woman’s return to her rural hometown, Chu Wang, centred around the historical Red Lake, whose misty shores once provided solace to ancient kings and commoners alike. The book has…Chinese3 min readChinese3 min read
Jan 17, 2022China in translation: 4 books to read to understand rural ChinaOur theme of the month is what connects all these books — they’re all set in rural China. From the mountains of Shaanxi to the deserts of Xinjiang, we’ve got you covered. Empires of Dust (original title: 农民帝国) Jiang Zilong Translated by Christopher Payne and Olivia Milburn Amidst the maelstrom of Communist China’s rocky beginnings, Guojiadian…China4 min readChina4 min read
Nov 8, 2021Welcome to the Chinese Literature Reader’s ClubWe’re going to be reading across China, from cover to cover. Where in the world do you like to read from? Interested in diversifying your reading? Interested in the literature coming from China? The Chinese Literature Reader’s Club is for everyone with an interest in reading works translated from Chinese…Chinese Culture2 min readChinese Culture2 min read
Oct 28, 2021A New MediumThey’ve only gone and done it! We now have our own Medium blog — watch this space for updates on our news and happenings, articles and reviews, and updates on some of our longer-form content such as video releases and their transcripts. If you’re finding us for the first time — we are Sinoist Books, an independent publisher based in the UK bringing the best of Chinese fiction to English-speaking readers. We aim to create a greater understanding of Chinese culture and provide an outlet for the ideas and creativity of the country’s most talented authors.Literature1 min readLiterature1 min read
