The reception of Bolaño in China: The construction of a “cultural icon” under the guidance of the paratext

In the last two decades, the work of Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño (1953-2003) has gained notable international impact, emerging as a prominent exponent of the “new world literature” after his death. This study focuses on the dissemination of Bolaño's translations into Chinese and how cultural mediators-including publishers, translators, scholars, and critics-use paratexts to shape the image of Bolaño as a “cultural icon” in China. The processes of selection, translation, editorial design, and promotion are explored, highlighting the crucial role of paratexts in cultural mediation and their impact on the reception of foreign literature. Additionally, the study investigates how Chinese readers, through these paratexts, establish new connections and resonances with Latin American literature, which has remained distant from the Chinese sphere for many years.

KEYWORDS:
Roberto Bolaño; paratext; literary translation; cultural mediators; Latin American literature in China