Category: Translated Fiction

Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi translated by Marilyn Booth

For Women in Translation Month, I read the Man Booker International 2019 winner Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi, translated by Marilyn Booth. As Alharthi was the first Omani woman translated into English, and the first Arab author to win the award, my expectations were high. I wasn't disappointed. These "women of the moon" (its original … Continue reading Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi translated by Marilyn Booth →

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The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck translated by Susan Bernofsky

"Time is like a briar that has gotten caught in wool, you tear it out with all your strength and throw it over your shoulder." (228) Like the briar that's trapped in wool this book snags you; it plays with the vagaries of time and fate and moments: the moments that are monumental, that are … Continue reading The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck translated by Susan Bernofsky →

Drive your Plough over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk

Yet another selection from my Foyles' A Year of Books (personal) book club. I absolutely loved this and even though I'd heard of Tokarczuk I had read none of her work until this one. Well I'm heading to London (and Foyles) this weekend and so will look out her other books, as well. I also … Continue reading Drive your Plough over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk →

The lady and the little fox fur by Violette Leduc, translated by Derek Coltman

Throughout my reading of this novella, I could not get Katherine Mansfield's short story "Miss Brill" out of my mind. It is not a similar story but still, the love that the old woman has for her little fox fur reminded me of the feelings that Miss Brill had for her little pieces of finery; … Continue reading The lady and the little fox fur by Violette Leduc, translated by Derek Coltman →

Go Went Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck translated by Susan Bernofsky

Originally published in German in 2015, Erpenbeck's latest novel was published in English in 2017. Given the major refugee and asylum crisis in Europe of 2014, in particular, this book's publication in German was timely. Unfortunately by the time of its English publication 2017 and wider distribution in 2018 it was still vital and contemporary. If … Continue reading Go Went Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck translated by Susan Bernofsky →

Familiar Things by Hwang Sok-Yong

When my husband gave me the birthday gift of 'A Year of Books' from Foyles' I chose the translated fiction category for a variety of reasons. I love reading and travelling and having lived in several countries now, and I felt that this could continue to open my reading horizons. I'm currently living in a … Continue reading Familiar Things by Hwang Sok-Yong →