TIME TO RELAX: Customers read and surf the Internet at the "foreign literature" section of a bookstore in Shanghai on July 21 (CHEN FEI)

"Dear Life is widely regarded as Munro's best work. Its translation to Chinese should be conducted with prudence and care in honor of the Nobel Prize winner. I'd rather wait longer for a well translated edition," said Zhi An, a foreign literature critic.

Rights dispute

Since scooping the Nobel Prize, Munro has triggered a copyright battle between publishers in China.

Apart from Xin Jing Dian, Yilin Press and Jiangsu People's Press have both claimed the Chinese copyright for six of the author's works and planned to publish Chinese editions shortly. The six pieces include Dance of the Happy Shades (1968, winner of the 1968 Governor General's Award for Fiction), Lives of Girls and Women (1971), The Progress of Love (1986, winner of the 1986 Governor General's Award for Fiction), The Love of a Good Woman (1998, winner of the 1998 Giller Prize), Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage (2001) and Too Much Happiness (2009).

Huang Jiakun, a Yilin Press agent, said his company got in contact with Munro's representative as soon as it was announced that she had won the Nobel prize, and subsequently acquired the Chinese copyright for six of her books.

"We understand that the previous copyright, which lay in the hands of Jiangsu People's Press, had expired. We have also informed the latter of copyright transfer," Huang said.

However, Jiangsu People's Press refutes the claim.

Jiang Weiguo, its editor, told Nandu Weekly that the company had previously purchased the Chinese copyrights for some of Munro's work, and that it would not expire until 2014. Chinese translations of the six books would be published next month, he added.

In addition to the six works, Yilin Press is also expected to publish Munro's Open Secrets (1994) by the end of this year, the copyright of which remains undisputed.

Unknown in China

If Munro failed to win the 2013 Nobel Prize, Chinese copyright for her works would probably not have been an issue, since the author has a low profile compared to other more well-known English writers.

"Nevertheless, she has won a number of prestigious awards over the past decades, including the Governor General's Literary Award for English-language fiction (1968, 1978 and 1986) and the Man Booker Prize (2009)," Yao said.

"Munro's work is far different from fast-food style bestsellers. Her writing often features everyday life resembling a silent river, which hides complicated feelings and moral conflicts beneath its calm surface," Yao added.

The Canadian author has long been likened to famous Russian short story writer Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) by some critics. "Her work tells stories. She has the sophistication of classical realism like Chekhov and the unique perspective of a woman. To some extent, Munro is easier for Chinese readers to accept as a Nobel Prize author," he explained.

As for Munro's style, Li Wenjun said, "Her work is worth reading. Compared with books by many other English writers, there are not many ups and downs in her works. Figures and events are very common in everyday life, though critical elements mix with the peaceful atmosphere."

"In my opinion, the author's works echo that of classical writers. Just like feminist classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Munro has achieved a new breakthrough in contemporary literature," said the translator.

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