Chinese web novels added to British Library collection

LONDON — The British Library expanded its Chinese collection on Nov 21 by adding printed copies of 10 novels originally published online by Chinese authors, including Lord of the Mysteries, Soul Land and Joy of Life.

This follows the library's first inclusion of 16 titles of online Chinese literature in 2022.

The newly included novels are deeply loved by readers worldwide. Among them, The King's Avatar, about esports, is said to have attracted 135 million readings by overseas readers.

These novels, originally published on platforms operated by Yuewen, an online Chinese literature company, were donated to document the cultural significance and rapid development of web literature in China.

Chief Operating Officer of the British Library Jas Rai says the library is excited to collaborate with Chinese publishers to engage audiences in the United Kingdom, highlighting the library's dedication to enhancing accessibility and diversifying its offerings.

Rai adds that online Chinese literature showcases the growing diversity in storytelling, offering innovative ways for global audiences to connect with stories.

By the end of 2023, the number of Chinese literature readers online reached a record 537 million, with the overseas market for this genre surpassing 4 billion yuan ($552 million), spanning most of the world's countries and regions.

The Web Novel website under Yuewen has trained and signed 430,000 overseas authors who write original online novels in English and other languages. In the UK alone, its readers reached 6.8 million, a yearly increase of 30 percent.

Qianshanchake, a Chinese web novelist whose work Stacie was included in the library's collection, expresses excitement and surprise at the recognition. Her fantasy story revolves around a modern-day female office worker who struggles against fate after being dragged into a world where monsters and kung fu coexist.

The writer believes the adventurous themes and oriental elements will resonate with British and European readers. "The core themes of novels are universal, transcending cultural boundaries," she says.

The announcement also marked the launch of a three-year collaboration, Literature in the Digital Age, between the British Library and Yuewen. A roundtable forum on the theme was held in London, bringing together publishing professionals from both nations to share insights.

"This is a burgeoning cultural collaboration between the UK and China," says Rupert Daniels, director of creative, consumer, sports, and education at the UK Department for Business and Trade. He hopes that the partnership will introduce global readers to captivating stories through innovative technologies.

The British Library houses over 170 million items, including books, manuscripts, newspapers, and audio recordings.

Xinhua