Xiaolu Guo
Celebrated artist and writer of the Chinese diaspora. She is known for her books and films exploring themes of cultural identity, exile, and personal transformation.
Best podcasts with Xiaolu Guo
Ranked by the Snipd community
Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 8min
Xiaolu Guo & Philip Hoare: Call Me Ishmaelle
Xiaolu Guo, an acclaimed novelist and filmmaker, discusses her latest work, *Call Me Ishmaelle*, a feminist reimagining of Moby-Dick. Joining her is Philip Hoare, a writer renowned for his insights into maritime literature. They explore Guo's childhood in a South China fishing village and how it shaped her perspective. Guo reinterprets Ishmael as a female figure and transforms Ahab into a black captain, reflecting on race and identity. Themes of displacement and a reverse artistic journey illuminate her narrative, while Darwin's influence is woven throughout.
Sep 20, 2024 • 32min
A Chinese-born writer’s quest to understand the Vikings, Normans and life on the English coast
Xiaolu Guo is a Chinese-born writer navigating her new life in England. She shares her emotional journey of belonging and identity, reflecting on her immigrant experience near the historic Hastings coast. The discussion intertwines personal narratives with Anglo-Saxon history, especially the Battle of Hastings, exploring nostalgia and cultural connections. Guo also critically analyzes the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle’s value, drawing parallels between historical conflicts in England and China, and delves into the complexities of migration and the legacies that shape identity.
