**Can Xue *is a pseudonym meaning dirty snow, leftover snow. She learned English on her own and has written books on Borges, Shakespeare, and Dante. Her publications in English include, The Embroidered Shoes *, Five Spice Street, and Blue Light in the Sky, among others.

**Can Xue *is a pseudonym meaning dirty snow, leftover snow. She learned English on her own and has written books on Borges, Shakespeare, and Dante. Her publications in English include, The Embroidered Shoes *, Five Spice Street, and Blue Light in the Sky, among others.

Karen Gernantis a professor emerita of Chinese history at Southern Oregon University. She translates in collaboration with Chen Zeping.Chen Zeping is a professor of Chinese linguistics at Fujian Teachers' University, and has collaborated with Karen Gernant on more than ten translations.