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2020 Women in Translation
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Sanne's 2020 WIT challenge
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Wow - that current country count is impressive. I look forward to seeing what you choose to read in 2020, Sanne.
I'll probably start the year with Europe in Sepia by Dubravka Ugrešić (translated from the Kroatian) as I don't see myself finishing this collection of essays in 2019. Here's a list of books within reach (on my shelves or in the library)
I read in Dutch and English, but whenever possible, I'll link the English edition here...
Chinese
Five Spice Street by Can Xue
German
Traveling on One Leg by Herta Müller
De juridische schimmigheden van een huwelijk by Olga Grjasnowa (only available in Dutch translation)
Ze kwam uit Marioepol by Natascha Wodin (only available in Dutch translation)
Farsi
Touba and the Meaning of Night by Shahrnush Parsipur
Finnish
De beste van alle mogelijke werelden by Riikka Pulkkinen (only available in Dutch translation)
French
Three Strong Women by Marie NDiaye
Het onwaarschijnlijke en droevige lot van Ivan en Ivana by Maryse Condé (only available in Dutch translation) - I also have her more famous novel Segu, but that's an edition in French, so let's see how ambitious I am this year...
Icelandic
Heida: A Shepherd at the Edge of the World by Steinunn Sigurðardóttir
Italian
All Our Yesterdays by Natalia Ginzburg
Japanese
Portugese
The Passion According to G.H. by Clarice Lispector
Spanish
Turkish
Vietnamese
No Man's Land by Dương Thu Hương (In reality, three books by this author managed to find their way to my shelves and I haven't read any of her work yet!)
Book #1. A Girl Like Me, and Other Stories by Xi Xi (西西)Original language: Chinese
This is a collection of short stories translated into English by 8[!] different translators. Xi Xi is a Hong Kong writer of short stories, novels and poetry.
I've been meaning to read something by Xi Xi ever since I first read about her work, but it's difficult to get hold of her books where I live. I can't remember where I first read about her, but there's a good article on her here.
I really loved the first two stories: A girl like me and The cold. Both were excellent and if Xi Xi wrote more short stories like that, I need to get my hands on them! The other stories were all right, but not that special in my opinion.
Book #2. Quasikristallen by Eva Menasse (not available in English?)Original language: German
Translated into Dutch by Annemarie Vlaming
Eva Menasse writes beautifully crafted stories. There's so much to unpack that it will take me some time to digest what I read. This is possibly one that will benefit from being reread as you'll pick up loads of other things in a second or third read.
Book #3. Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1 by Kamome ShirahamaOriginal language: Japanese
Translated into English by Stephen Kohler
I was in the mood for something fun and escapist and this impulse buy delivered! I love the artwork: it's really atmospheric and detailed - perfect for a fantasy series such as this. Now I'll have to get the rest of the series!
(Also, true to form, I'm great at compiling a to-read list and then completely ignoring it. I'll leave it up there for inspiration, but no guarantee that I'll actually read all of the books on there as I keep getting distracted by other shiny new books)
I have now read all books in the manga series Witch Hat Atelier that are out in English translation. Needless to say, it is one of my favorite finds this year! I'll not track all the different volumes of the series here, but check it out if you're into the genre.Book #4. A Bride's Story, Vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori
Another manga, but I wasn't as charmed by the story. The artwork is incredible, though
Book #5. The Inhabited Woman by Gioconda Belli
Original language: Spanish, translated into Dutch by Dick Bloemraad
While I expected a more action-packed story, I really enjoyed the meandering and pensive mood of this novel. Very interesting exploration of the political and revolutionary awakening of an upperclass feminist in Nicaragua, even though it felt a bit dated in certain parts.
This is te first book of the year that counts towards expanding my around-the-world challenge, as this is the first book I read by a Nicaraguan author. I would be interested in discovering more Nicaraguan authors, specifically contemporary ones.
Book #6. The Murder Farm by Andrea Maria Schenkel
Original language: German, translated into Dutch by W. Hansen
This I found a rather forgetable story. Quick read, but nothing mind blowing.
Book #7. In het hart van het hart van de schrijn by Anne KawalaOriginal language: French translated into Dutch by Kim Andringa
Really great poetry about herstory, the Middle Ages, fascinating historical figures that you've never heard about with a good dose of feminism. More please!
Book #8. Adua by Igiaba ScegoOriginal language: Italian, translated into English by Jamie Richards
I think the historical context into which the story is set, is fascinating, but I didn't really connect with the story itself
Book #9. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
Original language: Korean, translated into English by Jamie Chang
I knew this was a feminist novella going in, but this really didn't hide its message! wonderful and hard-hitting...
Book #10. Days in the Caucasus by Banine
Original language: French, translated into English by Anne Thompson-Ahmadova
One of my favorite reads of the year so far! Wonderful memoir of an Azerbeijani family during the first decenia of the 20th century. The family is big, chaotic and full of interesting personalities, and the ways in which their lives are turned upside down by the big historical events of those times are mind blowing. If it was fiction, you wouldn't believe half of it!
Days in the Caucasus sounds like it's one for me. I hadn't heard of it before so thanks for introducing me to it Sanne. I'm glad you enjoyed Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 as well, I'm really looking forward to reading both of these
Hannah wrote: "Days in the Caucasus sounds like it's one for me. I hadn't heard of it before so thanks for introducing me to it Sanne. I'm glad you enjoyed Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 a..."These are two very different books, but both give you lots of food for thought! I hope you enjoy these as much as I have & I'm happy to have brought a new read to your attention. Happy reading!
Book #11. De naam [The Name] by Eda KriseováOriginal language: Czech translated into Dutch by Hank Geerts (seems to be untranslated in English?)
A novella with an interesting premise: a writer can't publish his book under his own name under the soviet regime, so he asks his neighbor to publish it under her name. Needless to say, that exchange has some unforeseen consequences.
Book #12. So Long a Letter by Mariama BâOriginal language: French translated into Dutch by Sonja Pos
I've been meaning to read this one for ages! I'm glad I did, but I had the feeling the translation didn't do it justice. The sentences were clunky which meant the story didn't flow well. As there were several weird (poorly edited?) sentences, I suspect it's the translation and not so much the original. If I can find a copy, I'll try the original French some time in the future.
Book #13. Distant Lands: An Anthology of Poets Who Don’t Exist by Agnieszka KuciakOriginal language: Polish translated into English by Karen Kovacik
I ordered this one months ago, but the crisis and international mail nearly ate it... Glad it finally found it's way to my home! This was another great poetry read for me. It is an interessting one, where the poet has written an anthology of poems by different personas - who all have their own bio.
At the beginning of the year (second comment) I noted that I still had The Last Children of Tokyo by Yōko Tawada on my shelf. I tried to read it, but failed... reading a dystopia of being locked in, with people having unexplained medical conditions is the worst when you're in lockdown yourself and you don't know what is happening in the world. I don't know how all those people who bought books like The Plague and City of the Blind do it.That said, I do think the book has some interesting elements and I might come back to it some time in the (far) future.
Book #14. The Poe Clan Vol. 1 by Moto HagioOriginal language: Japanese, translated into English by Rachel Thorn
Lovely classic manga. The artwork is beautiful, and the story is perfectly campy and fairytale-like.
Book #15. Still Waters by Viveca Sten
Original language: Swedish, translated into Dutch by Tineke Jorissen-Wedzinga
Decent detective story. The mystery is good, but the characters didn't really grip me.
Book #16. Out by Natsuo Kirino
Original language: Japanese, translated into English by Stephen Snyder
Great thriller. This was such a gripping story! Sadly, I found the ending lacking.
Halfway through women in translation month, so it's time for a check-in! I've read 4 books so far this month:Book #17. The Taiga Syndrome by Cristina Rivera Garza
Original language: Spanish, translated into English by Suzanne Levine and Aviva Kana
I felt this one went a bit over my head? Maybe I need to reread it at another time and it will click for me.
Book #18. Chienne de Guerre: A Woman Reporter Behind the Lines of the War in Chechnya by Anne Nivat
Original language: French, translated into Dutch by Henne van der Kooy
Really liked this memoir of a war reporter about her time in Chechnya. Now I would love to get my hands on some stories told by people from Chechnya itself.
Book #19. The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara
Original language: Spanish, translated into English by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre
Fun, quirky, queer - what more can you ask for?
Book #20. Puisque Mon Coeur Est Mort [Because my heart is dead] by Maïssa Bey
Original language: French, translated into Dutch by Tineke van Roozendaal (doesn't seem to be translated into English - yet)
Beautiful, haunting, poetic story of a woman whose son is killed in the Dirty War in Algeria. My new favorite author.
Some interesting books you have read so far Sanne. 'Chienne de guerre' is new to me but sounds like my kind of book. Am adding it to my tbr.
Valerie wrote: "Some interesting books you have read so far Sanne. 'Chienne de guerre' is new to me but sounds like my kind of book. Am adding it to my tbr."The Dutch translation bij Oorlogsdomeinen was a surprise find in a secondhand shop for me! Anne Nivat does seem to be an interesting journalist, so I'll have to find out if she wrote any other books on the region.
Great list Sanne, I'm looking forward to reading The Adventures of China Iron but I haven't managed to get hold of a copy yet and I hope the maïssa bey gets translated into English
Hannah wrote: "Great list Sanne, I'm looking forward to reading The Adventures of China Iron but I haven't managed to get hold of a copy yet and I hope the maïssa bey gets translated into English"There's another book by her that's already translated (Do You Hear in the Mountains... and Other Stories), so there's hope that this one is on the rolls too!
China Iron is a lot of fun! Hope you'll be able to track down a copy. International shipping is a bit tricky at the moment in my part of the world, so I hope it's easier for you!
Well, the second half of August I got terribly distracted by other exciting books, so I didn't finish all that many for WITmonth (but still plenty where I'm halfway through). Book #21. No Place to Lay One's Head by Françoise Frenkel
Original language: French, translated into Dutch by Marianne Kaas
Beautiful, haunting memoir. It's written so soon after the war that it feels like the Nazis are still hot on her heels as she tries to make her way to a safe place.
Book #22. Voices of the Lost: A Novel by Hoda Barakat
Original language: Arabic, translated into Dutch by Djûke Poppinga
I'm not sure what to think of this one. I found it incredibly bleak (even for my standards) and difficult to get a grip on the characters.
Even though it's originally written in English, I want to mention Frangipani by Célestine Hitiura Vaite as a WITmonth read, as it wouldn't be available to me if it wasn't for the Dutch translation (getting my hands on literature from the Pacific region is a real challenge!). I really enjoyed this happy, fluffy read and will have to find the other books in this series. Excellent reading for when the real world is too much doom and gloom.
Great list and nice to see the Frenkel turning up, I picked it up in the library a while ago not really expecting much and was surprised at how well-written and moving it was.
Alwynne wrote: "Great list and nice to see the Frenkel turning up, I picked it up in the library a while ago not really expecting much and was surprised at how well-written and moving it was."Yes, Frenkel was a real surprise for me too! I didn't expect it to be so gripping.
Book #23. The Silence of the White City by Eva García Sáenz de UrturiOriginal language: Spanish, translated into Dutch by Elvira Veenings
Really enjoyed puzzling along with the detectives in this thriller/mystery set in Bask country.
Book #24. De dag veinst de nacht te zijn [Selected Poems] by Anna Akhmatova
Original language: Russian, translated into Dutch by Margriet Berg and Marja Wiebes
I always joke I don't get along with Russian classics, but this first taste of Akhmatova's poetry tastes like I need more! Beautiful poems!
#25. Ze kwam uit Marioepol [She came from Marioepol] by Natascha Wodin
Original language: German, translated into Dutch by Anne Folkertsma
Incredible non-fiction account of a woman researching the life of her mother, whom she lost when she was still very young. Through her family history, you get a taste of all the disasters of the 20th century that befell the inhabitants of Ukraine and how that affected regular people.
#26. The Wandering by Intan ParamadithaOriginal language: Indonesian, translated into English by Stephen J. Epstein
An immersive and overwhelming reading experience! It's a choose your own adventure story with elements of Indonesian and Western folktales, horror, political and social commentary. There's so much to chew on, and somehow all the different storylines have their emphasis on different themes and aspects, which means that you have some material to chew on before you can move on and explore another storyline.
The Natascha Wodin also sounds really interesting, not much of hers seems available in English, which is a shame.
Sanne wrote: "Book #23. The Silence of the White City by Eva García Sáenz de UrturiOriginal language: Spanish, translated into Dutch by Elvira Veenings
Really enjoyed puzzling..."
I checked Silence out of the library and then returned it without reading. looks like I need to get it right on back in my hands. Thanks!
I've never read a choose your own adventure novel before but I think this will have to be my first :)
Hannah wrote: "I've never read a choose your own adventure novel before but I think this will have to be my first :)"Neither did I before reading The Wandering! I can highly recommend it as an experience. It's a very active reading experience. Also I'm a perfectionist, so I was like "I want to make the best choice". Which is.... really not the point of the choose your own adventure thing. But it was fun to notice how I reacted to this interactive element.
Alwynne wrote: "The Natascha Wodin also sounds really interesting, not much of hers seems available in English, which is a shame."Yes! I do hope this one gets translated into English. I don't see why not - it's available in plenty of other languages! The inner workings of the translation business and which books get picked are a mystery sometimes.
Carol wrote: "I checked Silence out of the library and then returned it without reading. looks like I need to get it right on back in my hands. Thanks!"I've done that myself the first time I downloaded it from the ebook lending service. It wasn't until I found it in my lending history that I decided to download it again. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I hope you enjoy it as well when you get around to it!
Sanne wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "The Natascha Wodin also sounds really interesting, not much of hers seems available in English, which is a shame."Yes! I do hope this one gets translated into English. I don't see..."
I think that the U.K. market wasn't always good for work-in-translation so not many publishers were prepared to invest in it, unless for bestseller, mass-market titles. But it seems to be improving, lots of independent publishers now who focus on or feature authors who aren't English Language. It's still frustrating though, keep reading about authors I think I'd like to explore and finding they're not available. I can read modern French novels at a pinch, with a dictionary, so sometimes order French translations.
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Silence of the White City (other topics)The Wandering (other topics)
The Silence of the White City (other topics)
De dag veinst de nacht te zijn (other topics)
Ze kwam uit Marioepol (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Eva García Sáenz de Urturi (other topics)Intan Paramaditha (other topics)
Anna Akhmatova (other topics)
Eva García Sáenz de Urturi (other topics)
Natascha Wodin (other topics)
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Some ideas for the challenges I want to set for myself:
1) read a book by a WIT author from each inhabited continent
2) read at least 5 books by WIT from countries I've never visited in my around-the-world-reading challenge (personal challenge, current country count is 74/196 - needless to say I'll continue in 2020)