I avoided translated lit for a long time partially because I was conditioned that way - English undergrad college education, and the only B grade I ever got was my German lit class (I had zero idea what was going on at any given time). I also assumed it was too “political”, meaning perhaps didactic or dry or depressing? Funny enough the first translated lit I loved were the Nordic noirs - let horrific crime unite the people! Now I’ve got my big girl pants on and am ready to try it all. I loved Our Share of Night but Martha and I did have like a 40 min voice notes convo on it and it’s certainly not for everyone. Lovers of horror may appreciate it best
so thrilled to hear you've been able to make your way back to translated lit ! It really is a shame that for so many it's so strongly correlated with dryness & academia, but nordic noir and now horror seem like the perfect antidotes <3 officially adding Our Share of Night to my tbr! I really liked Lars Mytting's The Bell in the Lake when I read it a couple years ago, which although nordic, and mysterious, is very strongly epic historical fiction --do you have a favorite true Nordic noir title you'd recommend...??
Loved everything in this post - the little bit of transcendence possible when you read a book so entirely outside yourself that is still so strikingly recognizable. And "a more unhinged Vigdis Hjorth" is certainly a strong sell, but Tropic of Violence is going straight to the library hold list.
i can't think of anything but literature that's simultaneously so intimate and universal! very eager to hear what you think of Tropic of Violence-- while not at all a straight "mystery" or gothic/ghost story, there are definitely some eerie/blurry elements that I think suit autumn reading
I’ve been waiting for this one !!! You have reiterated all the reasons why I love translated lit so much - having both done such similar degrees (history & international relations MA) I love the way we both look at trans reading as avenues to learn. I am obsessed always with every book I read as an opportunity to learn - it’s my favourite thing ever.
Tropic of violence is going on the TBR - i also read a book by a French author in September that was so horrendous and revolting and yet, it’s got to be one of my favourites all time. You’ll see it in my review later, but how funny we’ve both read such beautifully horrendous French books! I am game for more horrific lit!
I also enjoyed your Enriquez comments - I’m reading Our Share of Night this month as a #spooky read attempt. It’s my first of hers. I’m excited & also fearful bc it is so god damn long. Hope it does not feel like reading 700 pages tho!
Omg the degrees are truly so similar! glad to have connected with a fellow lifelong learner :,) I don't know if I'll ever be able to read enough books -translated or otherwise- to satisfy just a chronic curiosity I have about people, culture, the world at large (!!!). As always, so eager to read your next newsletter, and to add your French book rec to my tbr list, and eventually to hear what you think of Tropic of Violence! I'll be waiting patiently (and selfishly) for you to tackle all 700 pages of Our Share of Night before I go find myself a copy, too <3
that icelandic novel seems really strange (in possibly a good way!). On that note of Icelandic literature, I think it’s worth checking out Halldor Laxness’ ‘Independent People’, which is also a translation. Not only is it one of the best translations i’ve ever read, it’s also just generally one of my favorite books ever!
if you do get your hands on a copy of History. A Mess. I'd love to hear your take!! (strange is often so great -I just didn't quite click with this one!) And a couple friends of mine have designated Independent People an all-time favorite & it's officially been on my tbr for over a year.. I'm considering your rec my final nudge and putting in a library request right now
Wow that interview with Vigdis Hjorth…thanks for sharing!
it blew me away!! glad you read & enjoyed!
Lov all your recs thank you!
❤️❤️❤️
I avoided translated lit for a long time partially because I was conditioned that way - English undergrad college education, and the only B grade I ever got was my German lit class (I had zero idea what was going on at any given time). I also assumed it was too “political”, meaning perhaps didactic or dry or depressing? Funny enough the first translated lit I loved were the Nordic noirs - let horrific crime unite the people! Now I’ve got my big girl pants on and am ready to try it all. I loved Our Share of Night but Martha and I did have like a 40 min voice notes convo on it and it’s certainly not for everyone. Lovers of horror may appreciate it best
so thrilled to hear you've been able to make your way back to translated lit ! It really is a shame that for so many it's so strongly correlated with dryness & academia, but nordic noir and now horror seem like the perfect antidotes <3 officially adding Our Share of Night to my tbr! I really liked Lars Mytting's The Bell in the Lake when I read it a couple years ago, which although nordic, and mysterious, is very strongly epic historical fiction --do you have a favorite true Nordic noir title you'd recommend...??
Loved everything in this post - the little bit of transcendence possible when you read a book so entirely outside yourself that is still so strikingly recognizable. And "a more unhinged Vigdis Hjorth" is certainly a strong sell, but Tropic of Violence is going straight to the library hold list.
i can't think of anything but literature that's simultaneously so intimate and universal! very eager to hear what you think of Tropic of Violence-- while not at all a straight "mystery" or gothic/ghost story, there are definitely some eerie/blurry elements that I think suit autumn reading
I’ve been waiting for this one !!! You have reiterated all the reasons why I love translated lit so much - having both done such similar degrees (history & international relations MA) I love the way we both look at trans reading as avenues to learn. I am obsessed always with every book I read as an opportunity to learn - it’s my favourite thing ever.
Tropic of violence is going on the TBR - i also read a book by a French author in September that was so horrendous and revolting and yet, it’s got to be one of my favourites all time. You’ll see it in my review later, but how funny we’ve both read such beautifully horrendous French books! I am game for more horrific lit!
I also enjoyed your Enriquez comments - I’m reading Our Share of Night this month as a #spooky read attempt. It’s my first of hers. I’m excited & also fearful bc it is so god damn long. Hope it does not feel like reading 700 pages tho!
Omg the degrees are truly so similar! glad to have connected with a fellow lifelong learner :,) I don't know if I'll ever be able to read enough books -translated or otherwise- to satisfy just a chronic curiosity I have about people, culture, the world at large (!!!). As always, so eager to read your next newsletter, and to add your French book rec to my tbr list, and eventually to hear what you think of Tropic of Violence! I'll be waiting patiently (and selfishly) for you to tackle all 700 pages of Our Share of Night before I go find myself a copy, too <3
PS my favourite translated read is called Riambel by Priya Hein - a haunting story about Mauritius and her true colonial history
Thank you so much for the rec! It looks captivating -and I love The Indigo Press !!
that icelandic novel seems really strange (in possibly a good way!). On that note of Icelandic literature, I think it’s worth checking out Halldor Laxness’ ‘Independent People’, which is also a translation. Not only is it one of the best translations i’ve ever read, it’s also just generally one of my favorite books ever!
if you do get your hands on a copy of History. A Mess. I'd love to hear your take!! (strange is often so great -I just didn't quite click with this one!) And a couple friends of mine have designated Independent People an all-time favorite & it's officially been on my tbr for over a year.. I'm considering your rec my final nudge and putting in a library request right now