Mai Jia: A Landmark Year for a Modern Chinese Master

The 2026 London Book Fair marked a historic milestone for contemporary Chinese literature. At the Reading China Pavilion, the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) and CNPIEC presented an international showcase for Mai Jia, the Mao Dun Literature Prize winner and China’s #1 bestselling author.

Alicia Liu, CEO of Singing Grass, Emma Lowe, Director of The London Book Fair, and Felicity Yan, Literary Agent for Author Mai Jia

With over 15 million copies sold, Mai Jia is a literary phenomenon. This year, his global legacy reaches new heights as Penguin Modern Classics inducts him into its esteemed collection—a rare honor for a living Chinese author.

Redefining the Genre

This August, Penguin will re-release Mai Jia’s landmark novels, Decoded and In the Dark. Ka Bradley, Editorial Director of Penguin Classics, joined us at the showcase to celebrate his induction into the Crime and Espionage list:

"For many readers around the world, Mai Jia’s work has already redefined what a spy novel can be. His books move beyond the familiar machinery of the genre and turn their attention to the machinery of the soul... people whose minds are shaped by concealment, obsession, and the solitude of intelligence work."

The Cost of Brilliance

Translated into 33 languages, Mai Jia’s narratives—such as Decoded, previously one of The Economist’s "Best Ten Novels"—bridge the gap between high literary acclaim and blockbuster success. As Bradley noted, his work explores the "cost of brilliance":

"These novels bring together mathematics, psychology, history, and suspense... They remind us that espionage is not only about information and power, but also about the cost of brilliance and the loneliness that can come with it. They are deeply human stories."

A Bridge Between Worlds

At Singing Grass, we are proud to facilitate these moments of cultural bridge-building. Seeing a contemporary Chinese master recognized alongside the defining voices of the genre is a testament to the universal power of great storytelling.

We look forward to the official re-release this August and to the continued journey of Mai Jia’s work into the hands of readers worldwide.