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Saturday, March 03, 2018

Oscars for Books, Korean Writers, Translators

I'm not terribly interested in the Oscars as I haven't seen most of the films nominated, but what if they gave Oscars to books?

If They Gave Oscars to Books, Our 2017 Nominees

I still enjoy Scandi Noir, but looks like Scandinavian authors may have some competition soon:

The New Scandi Noir?  Korean Writers Reinventing the Thriller

And an interesting connection,  a well-deserved prize for the translators who make so many of the books we enjoy available in our language.  Although I frequently read books that have been translated, I haven't read any of the books on the list.  Have you?

Quick guide

The 2018 TA first translation prize shortlist

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.

15 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. A 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.

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  2. I'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. :)

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    1. Some 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!

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  3. I 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!

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    1. The Korean thrillers interest me because I enjoy so many Kdramas. :)

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  4. I'm intrigued with Korean thrillers so I'll definitely check them out. Thanks for the links!

    I really appreciate the works of the translators; just imagine all the good books we'll miss without them.

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    1. 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!

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    2. Glad you got the postcard. Seems like it arrived quicker than the last letter I sent!

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    3. Glad you got the postcard. Seems like it arrived quicker than the last letter I sent!

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  5. I 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!

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    1. There are several on the list that interest me, but getting my act together is usually a figment of my imagination!

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  6. I'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.

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    1. I 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!

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  7. I hadn't heard of any of these but I'm sure they are awesome if they got nominated! :)
    I'll check them out!

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