by Charlie Fabre & Vic Bromley
There are so many amazing books to choose from when it comes to reading, as I’m sure we all well know, but the pool only gets larger when you consider translated fiction. During Women in Translation Month there will be so many crazy-good options – how to choose? We’ve compiled a list here of some of our favorite translated novels, all written by incredibly talented women, so that you can share in all the cultural diversities and fun!
Cursed bunny by Bora Chung (trans. from Korean)
This Korean, short story collection was just stunning. The magical realism, horror and all round eccentricity of this collection made it unforgettable. Every story was captivating and the perfect escapism. The stories were just crazy and bizarre, but it all added up and seemed to make perfect sense. It was quite gory and violent at times but incredibly written. Sometimes short stories are the perfect way to get you out of a reading slump.
Convenience store woman by Sayaka Murata (trans. from Japanese)
A book about loneliness, restraint from conforming to society’s expectations, and full of wit and personality. Translated from Japanese, the book follows Keiko, a 36 year old woman who has always been single, and has worked at the same convenience store for the past 18 years. Everyone is pestering her to get married like a normal thirty year old woman and get a proper job. But Keiko likes her convenience store. She’s the best at what she does. She’s never known anything different. Those who enjoy character driven novels revolving around a strong personality and sparked with clever humour need to read this.
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (trans. from Polish)
Semi-literary fiction, and semi-murder mystery set in a very rural Poland, Drive your Plow follows a woman who studies William Blake, horoscopes, and is an avid animal rights activist, as she tries to uncover the mystery of a man found dead and survive through the cold and harsh winter. The writing here is just stunning and really lends itself well to the eccentric and remote landscapes of both our setting and main character. It’s subtle and surprising, and really is a must read.
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez (trans. from Spanish)
A collection of short horror stories which all revolve around the forgotten neighbourhoods and favelas of Argentina. These stories will give you goosebumps, yes, but mostly they’re stories of grief and loss with heavy socio-economic commentary on the violent and poor state of some of Argentina’s cities. Lots of these stories are specifically about women and children, which is just excellent, and Enriquez’s previous collection The Things We Lost in the Fire deals with much the same and is equally as mesmerising as this.
Astragal by Albertine Sarrazin (trans. from French)
A tour de force, and a semi-autobiographicl novel, which captures life on the road and the journey to finding the young self as the main character breaks free from jail and finds her own freedom. Think Bonnie & Clyde only slightly less murderous and around the landscapes of France.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (trans. from Italian)
My Brilliant Friend (and the subsequent Neapolitan Quartet) is a very powerful and moving account of girlhood and young female friendship growing up in a repressive and strife-filled environment, and how hope and dreams flourish anywhere. Ferrante paints the portrait of this dynamic and contentious neighbourhood perfectly and it truly becomes a character of its own, growing and changing as the girls, Lila and Lenu, do. The quartet has gotten massive amounts of the praise, and for very good reason.
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto (trans from Japanese)
There’s no doubt as to why this was an international bestseller. Comprised of two stories, Kitchen is a book about loneliness, death, finding friendship and solace in someone very special, and self-identify. Touching upon transgender identity, this book was dynamic and diverse. A joy to read. Another incredible book translated from Japanese.
Mouthful of Birds by Samantha Schweblin (trans. from Spanish)
Another short story collection veering into strange and violent territory, it sucks you in and blinds you, revealing the must unexpected and surreal endings you can imagine. Each story leaves you with a sense that something has changed, but you can’t quite place what… These are all based in Argentina and revolve around people on the fringe of society, the cast is bright and colorful, and a lot of the stories feel like episodes from Black Mirror with that sense of wonder and foreboding.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang (trans. from Korean)
If you, like us, are obsessed with the ‘sad girl literature’ phenomenon, then maybe you’ll be interested in this tale of a woman shockingly turned vegetarian in an act that affects the lives around her, her own body, and her own mind. It’s a little on the weirder side, but Han Kang is so brilliant and visceral in her depictions of the controlled female body, and has a lot of insights on female sexuality and diet culture, and how oppressive these ideals can be in her native Korea.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura (trans. from Japanese)
Lonely Castle is a heartwarming story of children pulled into a mystical realm from their mirrors, tasked with finding a key to grant their wishes hidden in a castle by a wolf girl, and escaping their school troubles. It is sad in parts, it deals with the very frequent problem of school-bullying in Japan and the lack of mental health resources, but it’s a sweet and gentle tale on the whole. Good for a cosy evening read.
What are your favorite WIT recommendations?
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