Eve Out of Her Ruins by Ananda Devi
A novel, translated from the French by Jeffrey Zuckerman, and edited by Cécile Menon and Angeline Rothermundt at Les Fugitives.
Notes on a Thesis by Tiphaine Rivière
A graphic novel, translated from the French by Francesca Barrie, and edited by Clare Bullock at Jonathan Cape.
Second-Hand Time by Svetlana Alexievich
An oral history, translated from the Russian by Bela Shayevich and edited by Jacques Testard at Fitzcarraldo Editions.
Swallowing Mercury by Wioletta Greg
A novel, translated from the Polish by Eliza Marciniak, and edited by Max Porter and Ka Bradley at Portobello Books.
The Sad Part Was by Prabda Yoon
A short story collection, translated from the Thai by Mui Poopoksakul, and edited by Deborah Smith at Tilted Axis Press.
The Queue by Basma Abdel Aziz
A novel, translated from the Arabic by Elisabeth Jaquette, and edited by Sal Robinson, Taylor Sperry and Željka Marošević at Melville House.
I have not read any of those, but I have read several translated books. Most do seem to be Scandinavian, but I'm planning on reading more Japanese translations as I've seen some interesting crime novels around.
ReplyDeleteA translator makes such a difference! There are only a two works that I've read in various translations: Beowulf and Camus' The Stranger. I usually prefer the first translation I read because those images and that style stays with me, but it is fascinating to examine the differences in word choice, visual imagery, etc.
DeleteI'm appreciative of bookish translators, too! Without them I wouldn't be able to read some of the authors I love so much like Donato Carrisi, Fred Vargas, H. Murakami, etc. And while I haven't read any of the books on your list, several sound very intriguing. :)
ReplyDeleteSome books I actually forget that they weren't written in English in the first place, others I notice little oddities in the text that stand out and remind me that it is a translation. Bless all of those who tirelessly translate books for us to enjoy!
DeleteI used to be really into the Oscars, but not in a few years now. I don't keep up with movies the way I once did. I don't often think of who the translators are when reading a translated book, but it really can make a world of difference. I would definitely be interested in trying a Korean thriller. Thanks for sharing the links!
ReplyDeleteThe Korean thrillers interest me because I enjoy so many Kdramas. :)
DeleteI'm intrigued with Korean thrillers so I'll definitely check them out. Thanks for the links!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the works of the translators; just imagine all the good books we'll miss without them.
True, so many books we read are translated, and it would be sad to have missed them. I knew you'd be interested in the Korean thrillers, Melody. :) I'm not sure if I told you, but I got your postcard!
DeleteGlad you got the postcard. Seems like it arrived quicker than the last letter I sent!
DeleteGlad you got the postcard. Seems like it arrived quicker than the last letter I sent!
DeleteI haven’t read any but have heard of Eve Out of Her Ruins, Second-Hand Time, Swallowing Mercury and The Queue. Of those, I think Second-Hand Time is the one I would want to read most…maybe for Non-Fiction November, if I can get my act together!
ReplyDeleteThere are several on the list that interest me, but getting my act together is usually a figment of my imagination!
DeleteI've not read any of these but you know I'm interested. I love crime thrillers set in different lands but like you, I feel like I've been reading Scandi Noir for a while. I also recently read somewhere that Tartan Noir is having a big growth. Oh so many good stories to discover.
ReplyDeleteI love Val McDermid and Peter May, but Denise Mina and Ian Ranking are darker noir. This is the first I've heard Tartan Noir applied to these authors, but very fitting!
DeleteI hadn't heard of any of these but I'm sure they are awesome if they got nominated! :)
ReplyDeleteI'll check them out!