CHINESE scholars have selected the best foreign novels of 2012 with a view to introducing exemplary foreign literature to Chinese readers.

    The annual selection, which started in 2002, is organized by People’s Literature Publishing House and China Foreign Literature Association, the two subsidiaries of China Publishing Group.

    This year’s selected works include German writer Michael Kumpfmüller’s “Die Herrlichkeit des Lebens,” Russian writer Vladimir Georgievich’s “Метель,” and English writer Graham Swift’s “Wish You Were Here.”

    “Die Herrlichkeit des Lebens” tells a love story between Czech writer Franz Kafka and a 25-year-old woman, who support each other through difficult times. The author was obsessed with Kafka’s books when he was a teenager and started writing about his idol three years ago.

    “Метель,” which is Russian for blizzard, combines 19th century realism with post-modernism, reflecting on the estrangement between peasants and intellectuals.

    It is Georgievich’s first book to be translated into Chinese.

    “I know nothing about Chinese writers, but I can imagine that they are experienced readers,” said Georgievich, who claimed the award in Beijing on Dec. 12.

    Georgievich said writing is all a writer needs to do to be happy. However, all writers love talking about their own works.

    Concern is often expressed in German newspapers about the future of literature, according to Georgievich, who believed that the number of books published will decrease. However, he is confident that books of real quality will survive.

    A total of 69 foreign novels from 20 countries have been selected for the annual award since its launch in 2002.

    French writer Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio claimed the award in 2008, the same year he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

    (Luo Songsong, Martin Li)

    The book cover of Michael Kumpfmüller’s “Die Herrlichkeit des Lebens.”

    File photos