NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, the English edition of Chinese author Xue Mo’s acclaimed novel Desert Rites, the first volume of The Desert Trilogy (which also includes Desert Hunters and White Tiger Pass), claimed the number one spot in Amazon Hot New Releases for “Historical Chinese Fiction.” This work vividly portrays the survival struggles of ordinary farmers in the Gobi Desert of western China. Through raw, unfiltered storytelling, it encapsulates the region’s landscapes, cultural traditions, and the resilience of its people in the face of poverty and hardship.
In an interview, Xue Mo described western China as “a place closest to the essence of literature and culture. In the vast desert, one feels their own insignificance and is compelled to reflect on the meaning of life.” Instead of grandiose narratives or heroic characters, the story focuses on finely detailed depictions of everyday life. Readers are introduced to “a group of honest, simple, cunning, lovable, and pitiable farmers. They live humbly, yet they pursue nobility.” Prominent literary critic Lei Da once wrote in Guangming Daily to recommend Desert Rites: “The novel is a rare work of art; it hooks readers entirely through its vivid characters and beautiful language.”
The Expanding Meaning of “Rite”
What does Desert Rites commemorate? Some interpret it as mourning the vanishing agrarian way of life; others see it as a snapshot of a generation’s existence or a farewell to the shadows of historical and cultural legacies. As times change rapidly, so too does the meaning of “rite.” The novel reminds readers to reflect on the past while envisioning the future, using history to nurture the present, discover life’s meaning, and reshape themselves before death arrives.
Today, the success of Desert Rites extends far beyond the Chinese-speaking world. Its English edition, translated by renowned American translators Howard Goldblatt and Sylvia Li-chun Lin, has topped Amazon’s charts. In a time of global uncertainty, the novel underscores the importance of literature that explores the truth of life and provides solace for the soul.
The Light of Literature
With his unique perspective, Xue Mo compares the weight of the western Chinese landscape to the profound truths about human existence. Desert Rites stands as a gem of Chinese literature, offering international readers a window into the culture of western China. One particularly moving moment in the novel is its detailed depiction of Hantou’s death: “The agony of dying, the undeniable presence of it, was like the hard lump in Hantou’s abdomen—inescapable and deeply etched into one’s soul.” These seemingly mundane yet powerful details anchor the weight of life in readers’ hearts, resonating with many.
Love and wisdom are Xue Mo’s tenets. He aspires for his books to be like beams of light breaking through the clouds, illuminating hope in the hearts of many.” The success of Desert Rites is not only a testament to Xue Mo’s literary achievements but also a reminder of literature’s return to its spiritual essence.
Available on Amazon Worldwide:
Amazon US：https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPDQYTD4
Amazon UK：https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPDQYTD4
Amazon CA：https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DPDQYTD4
Contact:
Wen Yao
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SOURCE Xue Mo
