Chinese Crime Fiction in Translation. The International Circulation of a Peripheral Macro-Genre

This chapter seeks to explore the global circulation of Chinese crime fiction (CF) from the angle of the sociology of translation, in an attempt to outline certain dynamics in the transnational circulation of this particular macro-genre. To do so, the general field of Chinese CF will be explored against the background of the broader literary exchanges between China and the rest of the world. As a preliminary step, the political, economic, and cultural constraints that influence the flow of translated CF between China and the rest of the world will be investigated, so as to highlight the strategic factors at play in the translation, publishing, and marketing of Chinese CF by foreign publishers. Special attention will be devoted to the network of agents involved in the mediation process. In order to better contextualise this analysis, the two representative case studies of Mai Jia’s and Xiao Bai’s translated works will be discussed in detail. In brief, this chapter will attempt to answer some key questions, including: what position does Chinese CF currently hold in the promotion of Chinese literature and culture? What are the main factors at play in the selection of works of Chinese CF by foreign publishers? What are the specific mechanisms and constraints that govern the transnational circulation of Chinese CF? How is Chinese CF presented and promoted on the international book market? What is the role of the various agents of mediation involved in the process?