I love this newsletter and really enjoyed all the recommendations, but I can’t help feeling puzzled by the idea of translated books as a “genre.” Is this a US/UK thing? I understand feeling more comfortable reading in your native language, but translations into English are often so good that I’m surprised by the idea that there’s resistance to them, or that foreign novels could be perceived as a whole separate genre.
Maybe I don’t quite get it because I come from a tiny country?
PS: I must stand up for Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude is not inaccessible! Or at least it isn't if you make/download a family tree.
It is a thing! I hesitate to call it a genre - perhaps best described as a 'category' that has grown in popularity here & it gets specific tables and shelving sections in book shops! Like I said in a comment to Katja in this post - it is fascinating that 'translated' novels are something that is distinguished in UK/US, whereas I know in the rest of the world it is not a thing because so many books are translated from english into other languages.
I think any sort of resistance/hesitation/general uncertainty comes from some (not all) english speaking people growing up in such an anglophone culture and never being exposed to other languages / it not being a necessity to learn, or frequently engage with art/media thats originally in another language. That's a whole other culture / schooling / societal discussion. But it IS weird and not good.
Thank you for this text, Martha. It opened my mind because like others here, I never even thought about translated books as a genre or anything but normal. I am absolutely used to reading translations (I am German). If I can read the original language, I prefer this, but if a French, Persian, Japanese book interests me for its content, I don't think about it twice.
I am wondering, since you mention that there are specific tables or sections:
* do these booksellers combine crime novels and classics or romance from one language? Because I tend to look for a genre and would be annoyed if I had to go through all these books of different genres.
* are different languages combined in these sections? I am generalizing here, but in general, French storytelling differs from Japanese storytelling or Mexican storytelling. How do readers become acquainted with these styles if it is not generally available?
By the way: there used to be a newsletter about books translated from the Global South in Germany to highlight these books. The issue we have is that the majority of translated books are English originals or at least Eurocentric. Funnily enough, Japanese was No. 2 in translated books, mostly because of mangas and graphic novels.
Yes it’s absolutely considered a genre here and I can totally understand why you find that baffling! I’m hopeful - and I know Martha is too - that that won’t be the case in a decade or so. We are behiiiiind
I was also very interested by the way this was worded, not in a derogatory way, just interested.
In France, we obviously have many many novels in our native language and we are blessed with amazing writers, but we also read many translations, usually of English novels, which would explain why English speakers do not find as many. But we also read a lot of Japanese, German, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Swedish literature, and I'm not going to name them all, you get my point.
Most booksellers/ shops consider it a ‘genre’ unless it’s particular imprints like Fitzcarraldo etc. I would say that most genres, while useful categorisation for those selling the book, elicit a wince. For example, the fact that ‘women’s fiction’ is still a genre - but there isn’t a ‘men’s fiction’. And also the fact that a book has to choose between ‘literary fiction’ and ‘commercial fiction’ - sometimes a book is literary AND commercial AND women’s fiction! And a lot of ‘bereavement/ death’ could also live in Philosophy… you get my point! Most of these ‘genres’ are not fit for purpose. But it does offer an imperfect system for publishers/ retail outlets, etc.
I totally take your point about genres offering a system, but what's so puzzling to me about "translated fiction" is that you could simply fit these books into existing genres, however imperfectly, in the same way that we fit books written in English into these imperfect categories. I believe the trend of tables at book shops and the discourse about translated fiction make books not written in English seem more exotic rather than just par for the course for any reader worth their salt.
This is the exact point I was making that you've just dismissed me for. I bet many people have read translated fiction without even knowing it, putting it in to a category of its own just makes appear different & scary, it's just other stories! The rest of the world is not so different from us, it's kind of alienating to imply books from other languages are some kind of challenge that need a special approach.
I didn’t dismiss you. I pointed out that a lot of people aren’t reading Russian literature in their teens, and that a lot of people - I know bc I have the emails! - want an entry point into translated fiction. I think we are getting a bit in the weeds here, ultimately this was intended as a helpful piece for people who don’t yet read much translated fiction. We are in a reading crisis. And I’m trying to alleviate that in every way I can, in a way that feels gentle and instructive. I think Martha’s beautiful piece does exactly that
Can I also recommend Fresh Water for Plants by Valèrie Perrin (translated by Hildegarde Serle) - I think it would be right up your street, Pandora (if not already read!)
I agree with you Rita, One Hundred Years of Solitude is marvellous, I have to defend the book too. And it isn't just because I speak Spanish, I actually read it in English... so many years ago.
Thank you! It also surprised me that it would be considered a genre or category! I am from Germany - we have lots of German books, of course, but I have simply grown up reading translated books. Here, in the book bubble, it has been an ongoing discussion if translators could be included on the cover because of all their work.
Also, I love reading novels in their original language (for me that could be German, English or Spanish) because I feel closer to the author then, but I have felt any hesitation towards translated books. I cannot really wrap my head around it.
In Portugal, it is very noticeable that AI is finding its way into translations of more mainstream/commercial books, especially those originally written in English. I have sometimes noticed my brain reverse-translating sentences, especially into English, to understand them better.
However, the best translators are often credited on the cover, so my rule is to look for the original language first (same as you: English or German, sometimes Spanish or French if the text is not too difficult to read), and then for either a translator credited on the cover or a translator I already know and respect.
Is this already an issue in Germany as well? I hope not—I’m always so impressed by German translations.
It must be terrifying to notice literary translations done by AI. I sometimes edit academic papers - like you said, at times sentences make (more) sense if you reverse-translates them. In this context I am somewhat more lenient in my opinion than when it comes to literature.
I have not heard of popular mainstream books translated by AI. Usually the translator is mentioned on the first page once you open the book. I pay attention to them, too because I appreciate their work and some translate so beautifully, they make the difference between buying or not buying.
A couple of months ago, I read an interview by a Dutch-German translator, though. She was approached by a publishing house she worked for in the past. They wanted her not to translate the novel, but only proofread an AI translation they already had. If I remember correctly, she would have received 500€ for this. She declined, but the book is published now in German, so they presumably found someone who was willing to work like this. She did not mention which book this was. Hence, I think we are facing the same development.
It's not a thing. I've been reading translated works in the UK for decades & have never heard anyone mention it that way. Maybe it is to pundits & book sellers, but for people who simply read, no. It's kind of ridiculous to think of it that way to be honest, clearly just being originally in another language doesn't tell you much about a book.
I also find the suggestion that we should start with 'easy'examples a bit weird & patronising. Books are books, there are challenging reads in any language, plenty of us read dense russian novels in our romantic teens. If people want to read something light by all means, that's great! But to suggest reading something from another language is going to be off-putting because what, the subject matter is not what we're used to? I find that strange.
I think you’re probably quite unique for reading dense Russian novels in your teens - and I have lost count of how many times I’ve been asked where to start with translated fiction. Hence the big response to this letter. It’s absolutely fine if this letter didn’t speak to you. Not everyone’s newsletter will be for you! I’m sure you’ll find others that will.
Just throwing this out here because I will tell anyone who will listen but I am currently listening to Crime and Punishment on audio, narrated -mindblowingly- by Will Poulter who seems to have a hundred regional accents at his fingertips. He is genuinely making not only accessible, but thrilling!! I didn't see it coming. Great list, Martha!
Omg who knew such a thing existed !! I love WP - and he is perhaps the only reason I would give the book another go. I found the act of reading it very hard (its just so wordy) but I could be persuaded to listen!! Much easier listening to gorgeous WP than my own voice. Thanks for throwing it out !!
I feel relieved to see some of these comments. A Translated Book as a genre sounds to me like a "Female CEO" title. We should be (as you both are doing) be putting books out there - be them from England or anywhere else in the world. As a Brazilian who lives in the UK, I never even though about reading or not reading a book JUST BECAUSE it's translated from its original language (or not!). If anything, I feel much more empowered that I am able to read in 3 different languages and if something I want to ready is available in any of them, lucky me! Maybe this is a good start to bring awareness to this market. And the next step is definitely how to take this lable out of the shelf and just think about books as they are: wonderful tickets to a wider world than the one we experience in front of our eyes.
An older classic also to recommend: “The Door”, by Magda Szabo, translated into English from the original Hungarian by Len Rix, 2012. A literary novel of great moral complexity set after WW2, about the relationship between a Hungarian writer and her relationship with her elderly housekeeper. Seems like such a simple premise but there are so many layers to it. Also has been made into a film in 2009 with Helen Mirren, which I haven’t seen.
Giving a plug to my favourite french language books of the past few years, which is what I know most. Gael Faye Petit Pays is beautiful- it’s a quick read but packs a punch. Waiting for Bojangles by Olivier Bourdeaut is a story about nutty but charing mother. L’art de perdre by Alice Zenitier is a historical fiction about a family who left algeria for france. Arrete avec tes mensonges by Phillipe Besson is a coming out story.
Yes I loved Gael Faye's 'Small Country' (which is the english translation of the title) - such a gut punch of a story. I am incredibly intrigued by the sound of Bojangles by Olivier Bourdeaut because of the nutty charming mother?! A favourite character trope. I have heard lots of good things about L’art de perdre by Alice Zenitier (translated into English as The art of losing!) so will add to my list. I haven't come across Arrete avec tes mensonges by Phillipe Besson (english trans Lie With Me) but again will make a note! Some great recs here Celeste - thank you for sharing!
These are such good recs and I’m totally with you on favorite translators!
Julia Sanches’ translator’s notes are fantastic. I can’t remember which of Baltasar’s triptychs it’s from, but she has a great note about translating the word “cunt” in the text, and I also love the way she described her process of understanding the work together with Baltasar and on her own.
Megan McDowell does an excellent job translating Mariana Enríquez. Most of the translated novels I read are translated from the Spanish, which is the only other language I have any knowledge of, and I often find myself reading a sentence and wondering how McDowell managed to translate it so smoothly I would’ve believed it was written in English originally. She is phenomenal.
I get a similar feeling with Ann Goldstein, who also translates Ferrante. So good. And lastly, a translator’s note I think about often is Lisa Dillman’s for Signs Preceding the End of the World, discussing her process and how she approached translating a prominent neologism Herrera uses.
Translation is just such a cool way to connect with text. I love it so much!!
Thank you Cami! I need to hunt down that Julia Sanches note but I think if my memory isn't failing me it is in Mammoth? The complexity of translating swear words which are SO culturally dependent and specific is so fascinating. I like Ann Goldstein a lot - I literally just got an email about a book she translated thats coming out in english this year - A HOUSE IN SICILY by Luisa Adorno? Translation is so cool - thrilled you love it as much as we do!
Oo I've been meaning to read Signs Preceding the End of the World! I like Yuri a lot. This is inspiring me to collate my fav translators notes - they are always my fav part.
Love everything about this guide. Martha is one of the reasons I’ve read so many books in translation last year and this year (6 so far). Forbidden Notebook is an incredible novel to start with!! It's the one i'm always recommending these days
Thank you for keeping pieces like this free for everyone to read Pandora, and great that you can use your newsletter to give these lesser known books a platform. I love translated fiction and have saved a lot of these to my to read list
Thank you Ruth! I guess no matter how much we read, there is always so much more we haven't even heard of (I think about it all the time.) What are your favourite translated fiction books?
Ooh, good question. I've just read a short novel.by the Danish poet Inge Christensen (& I've lent the book to a friend so can't check the title). It was subtle and experimental in a very un-British way.
Great recs as always Martha - I see some of your longtime faves in here that I already have on my shelf to try (forbidden notebook, Afterlight, Michel the giant). Looking at some of the commentary around translated lit as a genre, I understand the desire to make sure we aren’t othering these books and setting them apart as “hard” or “not for me”.
I will say, no bookshops in Sydney that I can think of have separate sections for translated literature, they are all integrated.
Still, the reality is that although there is a healthy appetite for translated literature right now, only a tiny percentage of translated books are actually available. I worry sometimes that in huge markets like the UK/US, which are vast compared to our tiny population in Oz, that for better or worse shelving them amongst the multitude of English language books will bury them more. Perhaps down the line, as this market continued to grow in English speaking countries like the UK/US (as I hope it does), we will see this less and less. But right now I think it really honours translated authors AND their translators to highlight them in a bookstore. Perhaps having the right translated lit near the right genres in bookshops would help encourage people to see that if you like Elena Ferrante for example, there are a multitude of other Italian female authors to try. I can genuinely see both sides and my only desire would be to help translated books continue to ride this wave so that we don’t need the category anymore.
Great comment Nell - I think within all genres, across the board with all books, there are tropes and general misunderstandings about what is 'hard' or not hard to read. Aside from personal preference (bc we all hate some books!!) I think there is a huge misunderstanding in UK culture at least (bc thats the only one I can comment on!) that translated books are 'hard' to read bc they're from elsewhere. I truly think this is driven by how insular publishing over here can be, and how english centered culture across the board is across the west. There are so many branches to that which I could write about forever and ever but comes down to points of how widespread English language is, how foreign languages in schools over here are not taught well or valued (especially in state schools) and the undercurrent vibe which is really engrained here sometimes that lives of people in the west are more 'important' than others, that the world orbits around us specifically.
I do agree that signalling translated books does help them - because otherwise they can get lost in the huge and vast catalogues here. Sometimes you have to profile something a little to establish it's USP! I also think sometimes a book being translated makes people more interested in reading it! I also agree that the reductive terminology around it can make it seem as though the lives of those who aren't English are othered by the categorisation. It's sort of like the PR politics of it all? So interesting to hear about how it is in Oz and I do think genres across books let them all down! I think they're on the whole so reductive across the board, they are never really right? I tend to find translated books generally aren't 'genered' over here, they seem to exists truly outside any categorisation other than it being translated? Which is v interesting in of itself. I see both sides too and I think the answer lies in the middle because, truthfully and unfortunately, I don't think translated lit would be having a moment if it wasn't signalled out by publishers, bookshops or reviewers - because there are SO many books published all the time its truly an onslaught. It's popularity does show the strength does not lie in the marketing or wording of it being described, but in the beauty and incredible writing from authors around the world who are incredible at what they do, translated by translators who are just as incredible. I do agree that down the line, maybe when it is so integrated in more western reading, that it can be different. But prizes like the IBP do demonstrate there is appetite for it being categorised as specifically translated sometimes!
Persepolis is one of those books that just sticks with you. I remember I had to read it for high school and it quickly became one of my favorite books of all time. Definitely worth the read! A Fine Balance is lengthy but it really does a good job talking about themes of political instability and corruption as well as social status in India.
Great list. Thank you. Would love to see similar recommendations of short stories in translation. For anyone interested, I offer The Accidentals by Guadalupe Nettel and Long Distance by Aysegul Savas. Both fantastic.
Thank you Keith! I also loved The Accidentals by Nettel - she is fab! Short stories in translation I have liked also are The Umbrella by Tove Ditlevsen, Cockfight by María Fernanda Ampuero (super gory and violent but very good) and Trout, Belly Up Rodrigo Fuentes. I (hopefully very soon) will read Heart Lamp which won the international book last year!
Wonderful list, I have tried over past few years to read 12 translated books a year. Has definitely been swamped by Japanese cats in past few years. I really enjoyed Elena Knows a few years back. And other stories (not the clothing brand) do subscriptions that quite often include translated books which is how I discovered Eva Balthasar
Thank you Hannah! We're all being swamped with a deluge of Japanese cats! And Other Stories are fab and is how I found Eva Baltasar too - I love their new approach of the first sentence on the cover it's so fun
Congrats Pandora on 3 years of Books & Bits! I always look forward to when a new letter drops in my email. And excellent writing Martha, I'm most looking forward to picking up a copy of Strangers I Know. As someone who is hard of hearing and is somewhat immersed in Deaf culture, I'm really curious to read about a CODA whose parents weren't particularly involved in the culture/learning ASL. I imagine the authors perspective will be eyeopening.
In terms of translated literature, I'm nearly finished with Anna Karenina (highly recommend finding a friend or two for a bookclub, helps massively with motivation during the slower moments of the novel to have a conversation to look forward too. We also chose to read the first four sections in January and the last four sections this month, with a discussion at the end of each month) and enjoying it far more than I thought I would. I always thought I read a decent amount of translated work but looking back at my storygraph from last year, it was only 3 (my favourite of the bunch was "Lonely Castle in The Mirror" by Mizuki Tsujimura)... so this has added a new motivation to up that number in 2026!
Thank you Jemma! I'm excited for you to read Strangers I Know for what you might get from it as someone who is hard of hearing! The way she writes about disability is very spunky, quite funny and just very no frills. It is enjoyable to read and also a relief because she says it how it is, but also calls out societies bullshit about how it treats disabled people too? All the CODA convos about her parents are fascinating - bc they wouldn't learn sign language, they also could't ever really speak 'officially' (what even is official speaking?! but I think you know what I mean) w each other and THAT is the most eyeopening and fascinating to read about.
Anna Karenina definitely seems like a group read novel! I read Lonely Castle in The Mirror a few years ago - a novel with a very lovely energy!
I love this newsletter and really enjoyed all the recommendations, but I can’t help feeling puzzled by the idea of translated books as a “genre.” Is this a US/UK thing? I understand feeling more comfortable reading in your native language, but translations into English are often so good that I’m surprised by the idea that there’s resistance to them, or that foreign novels could be perceived as a whole separate genre.
Maybe I don’t quite get it because I come from a tiny country?
PS: I must stand up for Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude is not inaccessible! Or at least it isn't if you make/download a family tree.
It is a thing! I hesitate to call it a genre - perhaps best described as a 'category' that has grown in popularity here & it gets specific tables and shelving sections in book shops! Like I said in a comment to Katja in this post - it is fascinating that 'translated' novels are something that is distinguished in UK/US, whereas I know in the rest of the world it is not a thing because so many books are translated from english into other languages.
I think any sort of resistance/hesitation/general uncertainty comes from some (not all) english speaking people growing up in such an anglophone culture and never being exposed to other languages / it not being a necessity to learn, or frequently engage with art/media thats originally in another language. That's a whole other culture / schooling / societal discussion. But it IS weird and not good.
Thank you for this text, Martha. It opened my mind because like others here, I never even thought about translated books as a genre or anything but normal. I am absolutely used to reading translations (I am German). If I can read the original language, I prefer this, but if a French, Persian, Japanese book interests me for its content, I don't think about it twice.
I am wondering, since you mention that there are specific tables or sections:
* do these booksellers combine crime novels and classics or romance from one language? Because I tend to look for a genre and would be annoyed if I had to go through all these books of different genres.
* are different languages combined in these sections? I am generalizing here, but in general, French storytelling differs from Japanese storytelling or Mexican storytelling. How do readers become acquainted with these styles if it is not generally available?
By the way: there used to be a newsletter about books translated from the Global South in Germany to highlight these books. The issue we have is that the majority of translated books are English originals or at least Eurocentric. Funnily enough, Japanese was No. 2 in translated books, mostly because of mangas and graphic novels.
Yes it’s absolutely considered a genre here and I can totally understand why you find that baffling! I’m hopeful - and I know Martha is too - that that won’t be the case in a decade or so. We are behiiiiind
I was also very interested by the way this was worded, not in a derogatory way, just interested.
In France, we obviously have many many novels in our native language and we are blessed with amazing writers, but we also read many translations, usually of English novels, which would explain why English speakers do not find as many. But we also read a lot of Japanese, German, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Swedish literature, and I'm not going to name them all, you get my point.
Most booksellers/ shops consider it a ‘genre’ unless it’s particular imprints like Fitzcarraldo etc. I would say that most genres, while useful categorisation for those selling the book, elicit a wince. For example, the fact that ‘women’s fiction’ is still a genre - but there isn’t a ‘men’s fiction’. And also the fact that a book has to choose between ‘literary fiction’ and ‘commercial fiction’ - sometimes a book is literary AND commercial AND women’s fiction! And a lot of ‘bereavement/ death’ could also live in Philosophy… you get my point! Most of these ‘genres’ are not fit for purpose. But it does offer an imperfect system for publishers/ retail outlets, etc.
I totally take your point about genres offering a system, but what's so puzzling to me about "translated fiction" is that you could simply fit these books into existing genres, however imperfectly, in the same way that we fit books written in English into these imperfect categories. I believe the trend of tables at book shops and the discourse about translated fiction make books not written in English seem more exotic rather than just par for the course for any reader worth their salt.
Agree
This is the exact point I was making that you've just dismissed me for. I bet many people have read translated fiction without even knowing it, putting it in to a category of its own just makes appear different & scary, it's just other stories! The rest of the world is not so different from us, it's kind of alienating to imply books from other languages are some kind of challenge that need a special approach.
I didn’t dismiss you. I pointed out that a lot of people aren’t reading Russian literature in their teens, and that a lot of people - I know bc I have the emails! - want an entry point into translated fiction. I think we are getting a bit in the weeds here, ultimately this was intended as a helpful piece for people who don’t yet read much translated fiction. We are in a reading crisis. And I’m trying to alleviate that in every way I can, in a way that feels gentle and instructive. I think Martha’s beautiful piece does exactly that
Can I also recommend Fresh Water for Plants by Valèrie Perrin (translated by Hildegarde Serle) - I think it would be right up your street, Pandora (if not already read!)
I have heard such great things about this novel - I need to read it myself!
I must admit I read it in the original French but the translated version has rave reviews. Enjoy! 💐
No I haven’t heard of it - thank you!
I agree with you Rita, One Hundred Years of Solitude is marvellous, I have to defend the book too. And it isn't just because I speak Spanish, I actually read it in English... so many years ago.
This has inspired me to give it a go!!
By all means do, but get a family tree. Everyone is called the same ;)
Haha like Wuthering heights
Yes, exactly!
I am actually reading that now, realised there were two Catherines and immediately downloaded the family tree as well.
The same name is what did it for me the first time I tried!! Its a horrendous and brilliant idea all at once
Thank you! It also surprised me that it would be considered a genre or category! I am from Germany - we have lots of German books, of course, but I have simply grown up reading translated books. Here, in the book bubble, it has been an ongoing discussion if translators could be included on the cover because of all their work.
Also, I love reading novels in their original language (for me that could be German, English or Spanish) because I feel closer to the author then, but I have felt any hesitation towards translated books. I cannot really wrap my head around it.
It’s so cool that you can read in so many languages! I would love this skill
I fully agree!
In Portugal, it is very noticeable that AI is finding its way into translations of more mainstream/commercial books, especially those originally written in English. I have sometimes noticed my brain reverse-translating sentences, especially into English, to understand them better.
However, the best translators are often credited on the cover, so my rule is to look for the original language first (same as you: English or German, sometimes Spanish or French if the text is not too difficult to read), and then for either a translator credited on the cover or a translator I already know and respect.
Is this already an issue in Germany as well? I hope not—I’m always so impressed by German translations.
It must be terrifying to notice literary translations done by AI. I sometimes edit academic papers - like you said, at times sentences make (more) sense if you reverse-translates them. In this context I am somewhat more lenient in my opinion than when it comes to literature.
I have not heard of popular mainstream books translated by AI. Usually the translator is mentioned on the first page once you open the book. I pay attention to them, too because I appreciate their work and some translate so beautifully, they make the difference between buying or not buying.
A couple of months ago, I read an interview by a Dutch-German translator, though. She was approached by a publishing house she worked for in the past. They wanted her not to translate the novel, but only proofread an AI translation they already had. If I remember correctly, she would have received 500€ for this. She declined, but the book is published now in German, so they presumably found someone who was willing to work like this. She did not mention which book this was. Hence, I think we are facing the same development.
It's not a thing. I've been reading translated works in the UK for decades & have never heard anyone mention it that way. Maybe it is to pundits & book sellers, but for people who simply read, no. It's kind of ridiculous to think of it that way to be honest, clearly just being originally in another language doesn't tell you much about a book.
I also find the suggestion that we should start with 'easy'examples a bit weird & patronising. Books are books, there are challenging reads in any language, plenty of us read dense russian novels in our romantic teens. If people want to read something light by all means, that's great! But to suggest reading something from another language is going to be off-putting because what, the subject matter is not what we're used to? I find that strange.
I think you’re probably quite unique for reading dense Russian novels in your teens - and I have lost count of how many times I’ve been asked where to start with translated fiction. Hence the big response to this letter. It’s absolutely fine if this letter didn’t speak to you. Not everyone’s newsletter will be for you! I’m sure you’ll find others that will.
Just throwing this out here because I will tell anyone who will listen but I am currently listening to Crime and Punishment on audio, narrated -mindblowingly- by Will Poulter who seems to have a hundred regional accents at his fingertips. He is genuinely making not only accessible, but thrilling!! I didn't see it coming. Great list, Martha!
Omg who knew such a thing existed !! I love WP - and he is perhaps the only reason I would give the book another go. I found the act of reading it very hard (its just so wordy) but I could be persuaded to listen!! Much easier listening to gorgeous WP than my own voice. Thanks for throwing it out !!
Oh my God, I just listened to the preview and I think you have solved both my unwillingness to read Crime & Punishment and my sex life 😂
I feel relieved to see some of these comments. A Translated Book as a genre sounds to me like a "Female CEO" title. We should be (as you both are doing) be putting books out there - be them from England or anywhere else in the world. As a Brazilian who lives in the UK, I never even though about reading or not reading a book JUST BECAUSE it's translated from its original language (or not!). If anything, I feel much more empowered that I am able to read in 3 different languages and if something I want to ready is available in any of them, lucky me! Maybe this is a good start to bring awareness to this market. And the next step is definitely how to take this lable out of the shelf and just think about books as they are: wonderful tickets to a wider world than the one we experience in front of our eyes.
Agreed!!! I love your last sentence
An older classic also to recommend: “The Door”, by Magda Szabo, translated into English from the original Hungarian by Len Rix, 2012. A literary novel of great moral complexity set after WW2, about the relationship between a Hungarian writer and her relationship with her elderly housekeeper. Seems like such a simple premise but there are so many layers to it. Also has been made into a film in 2009 with Helen Mirren, which I haven’t seen.
Yes I want to read The Door this year!! I've never read any Szabo but I am wanting to change that
Giving a plug to my favourite french language books of the past few years, which is what I know most. Gael Faye Petit Pays is beautiful- it’s a quick read but packs a punch. Waiting for Bojangles by Olivier Bourdeaut is a story about nutty but charing mother. L’art de perdre by Alice Zenitier is a historical fiction about a family who left algeria for france. Arrete avec tes mensonges by Phillipe Besson is a coming out story.
Yes I loved Gael Faye's 'Small Country' (which is the english translation of the title) - such a gut punch of a story. I am incredibly intrigued by the sound of Bojangles by Olivier Bourdeaut because of the nutty charming mother?! A favourite character trope. I have heard lots of good things about L’art de perdre by Alice Zenitier (translated into English as The art of losing!) so will add to my list. I haven't come across Arrete avec tes mensonges by Phillipe Besson (english trans Lie With Me) but again will make a note! Some great recs here Celeste - thank you for sharing!
These are such good recs and I’m totally with you on favorite translators!
Julia Sanches’ translator’s notes are fantastic. I can’t remember which of Baltasar’s triptychs it’s from, but she has a great note about translating the word “cunt” in the text, and I also love the way she described her process of understanding the work together with Baltasar and on her own.
Megan McDowell does an excellent job translating Mariana Enríquez. Most of the translated novels I read are translated from the Spanish, which is the only other language I have any knowledge of, and I often find myself reading a sentence and wondering how McDowell managed to translate it so smoothly I would’ve believed it was written in English originally. She is phenomenal.
I get a similar feeling with Ann Goldstein, who also translates Ferrante. So good. And lastly, a translator’s note I think about often is Lisa Dillman’s for Signs Preceding the End of the World, discussing her process and how she approached translating a prominent neologism Herrera uses.
Translation is just such a cool way to connect with text. I love it so much!!
Thank you Cami! I need to hunt down that Julia Sanches note but I think if my memory isn't failing me it is in Mammoth? The complexity of translating swear words which are SO culturally dependent and specific is so fascinating. I like Ann Goldstein a lot - I literally just got an email about a book she translated thats coming out in english this year - A HOUSE IN SICILY by Luisa Adorno? Translation is so cool - thrilled you love it as much as we do!
Oo I've been meaning to read Signs Preceding the End of the World! I like Yuri a lot. This is inspiring me to collate my fav translators notes - they are always my fav part.
Europa always does beautiful work! My first translated love was The Elegance of
the Hedgehog. 🦔
V good title name (I’m sorry but do they just have better titles?!?)
Agreed I love their work! Will add The Elegance of the Hedgehog to my list - my favs from them have been The Night Will Be Long & December Breeze
I’ve not loved Barbary’s other work but The Elegance of the Hedgehog was really my introduction to literary fiction. I should re read it.
Love everything about this guide. Martha is one of the reasons I’ve read so many books in translation last year and this year (6 so far). Forbidden Notebook is an incredible novel to start with!! It's the one i'm always recommending these days
Thank you for keeping pieces like this free for everyone to read Pandora, and great that you can use your newsletter to give these lesser known books a platform. I love translated fiction and have saved a lot of these to my to read list
Thank you - great list. I read quite a lot of translated fiction, but I didn't know any of these.
Thank you Ruth! I guess no matter how much we read, there is always so much more we haven't even heard of (I think about it all the time.) What are your favourite translated fiction books?
Ooh, good question. I've just read a short novel.by the Danish poet Inge Christensen (& I've lent the book to a friend so can't check the title). It was subtle and experimental in a very un-British way.
So many great recs to add to my list here!!! Thank you Martha!!
<3 <3
Great recs as always Martha - I see some of your longtime faves in here that I already have on my shelf to try (forbidden notebook, Afterlight, Michel the giant). Looking at some of the commentary around translated lit as a genre, I understand the desire to make sure we aren’t othering these books and setting them apart as “hard” or “not for me”.
I will say, no bookshops in Sydney that I can think of have separate sections for translated literature, they are all integrated.
Still, the reality is that although there is a healthy appetite for translated literature right now, only a tiny percentage of translated books are actually available. I worry sometimes that in huge markets like the UK/US, which are vast compared to our tiny population in Oz, that for better or worse shelving them amongst the multitude of English language books will bury them more. Perhaps down the line, as this market continued to grow in English speaking countries like the UK/US (as I hope it does), we will see this less and less. But right now I think it really honours translated authors AND their translators to highlight them in a bookstore. Perhaps having the right translated lit near the right genres in bookshops would help encourage people to see that if you like Elena Ferrante for example, there are a multitude of other Italian female authors to try. I can genuinely see both sides and my only desire would be to help translated books continue to ride this wave so that we don’t need the category anymore.
Great comment Nell - I think within all genres, across the board with all books, there are tropes and general misunderstandings about what is 'hard' or not hard to read. Aside from personal preference (bc we all hate some books!!) I think there is a huge misunderstanding in UK culture at least (bc thats the only one I can comment on!) that translated books are 'hard' to read bc they're from elsewhere. I truly think this is driven by how insular publishing over here can be, and how english centered culture across the board is across the west. There are so many branches to that which I could write about forever and ever but comes down to points of how widespread English language is, how foreign languages in schools over here are not taught well or valued (especially in state schools) and the undercurrent vibe which is really engrained here sometimes that lives of people in the west are more 'important' than others, that the world orbits around us specifically.
I do agree that signalling translated books does help them - because otherwise they can get lost in the huge and vast catalogues here. Sometimes you have to profile something a little to establish it's USP! I also think sometimes a book being translated makes people more interested in reading it! I also agree that the reductive terminology around it can make it seem as though the lives of those who aren't English are othered by the categorisation. It's sort of like the PR politics of it all? So interesting to hear about how it is in Oz and I do think genres across books let them all down! I think they're on the whole so reductive across the board, they are never really right? I tend to find translated books generally aren't 'genered' over here, they seem to exists truly outside any categorisation other than it being translated? Which is v interesting in of itself. I see both sides too and I think the answer lies in the middle because, truthfully and unfortunately, I don't think translated lit would be having a moment if it wasn't signalled out by publishers, bookshops or reviewers - because there are SO many books published all the time its truly an onslaught. It's popularity does show the strength does not lie in the marketing or wording of it being described, but in the beauty and incredible writing from authors around the world who are incredible at what they do, translated by translators who are just as incredible. I do agree that down the line, maybe when it is so integrated in more western reading, that it can be different. But prizes like the IBP do demonstrate there is appetite for it being categorised as specifically translated sometimes!
My favorite translated works are Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry!
Will add them both to my tbr - thanks Ryan! Everyone raves about Persepolis so much, it is crazy I haven't got round to it yet haha
Persepolis is one of those books that just sticks with you. I remember I had to read it for high school and it quickly became one of my favorite books of all time. Definitely worth the read! A Fine Balance is lengthy but it really does a good job talking about themes of political instability and corruption as well as social status in India.
Great list. Thank you. Would love to see similar recommendations of short stories in translation. For anyone interested, I offer The Accidentals by Guadalupe Nettel and Long Distance by Aysegul Savas. Both fantastic.
Thank you Keith! I also loved The Accidentals by Nettel - she is fab! Short stories in translation I have liked also are The Umbrella by Tove Ditlevsen, Cockfight by María Fernanda Ampuero (super gory and violent but very good) and Trout, Belly Up Rodrigo Fuentes. I (hopefully very soon) will read Heart Lamp which won the international book last year!
Yes, Cockfight is something else. I will look up the others. Thanks.
Wonderful list, I have tried over past few years to read 12 translated books a year. Has definitely been swamped by Japanese cats in past few years. I really enjoyed Elena Knows a few years back. And other stories (not the clothing brand) do subscriptions that quite often include translated books which is how I discovered Eva Balthasar
Thank you Hannah! We're all being swamped with a deluge of Japanese cats! And Other Stories are fab and is how I found Eva Baltasar too - I love their new approach of the first sentence on the cover it's so fun
Congrats Pandora on 3 years of Books & Bits! I always look forward to when a new letter drops in my email. And excellent writing Martha, I'm most looking forward to picking up a copy of Strangers I Know. As someone who is hard of hearing and is somewhat immersed in Deaf culture, I'm really curious to read about a CODA whose parents weren't particularly involved in the culture/learning ASL. I imagine the authors perspective will be eyeopening.
In terms of translated literature, I'm nearly finished with Anna Karenina (highly recommend finding a friend or two for a bookclub, helps massively with motivation during the slower moments of the novel to have a conversation to look forward too. We also chose to read the first four sections in January and the last four sections this month, with a discussion at the end of each month) and enjoying it far more than I thought I would. I always thought I read a decent amount of translated work but looking back at my storygraph from last year, it was only 3 (my favourite of the bunch was "Lonely Castle in The Mirror" by Mizuki Tsujimura)... so this has added a new motivation to up that number in 2026!
Thank you Jemma! I'm excited for you to read Strangers I Know for what you might get from it as someone who is hard of hearing! The way she writes about disability is very spunky, quite funny and just very no frills. It is enjoyable to read and also a relief because she says it how it is, but also calls out societies bullshit about how it treats disabled people too? All the CODA convos about her parents are fascinating - bc they wouldn't learn sign language, they also could't ever really speak 'officially' (what even is official speaking?! but I think you know what I mean) w each other and THAT is the most eyeopening and fascinating to read about.
Anna Karenina definitely seems like a group read novel! I read Lonely Castle in The Mirror a few years ago - a novel with a very lovely energy!