Best Translated Book Award Finalists

Hello Gentle Reader

The Best Translated Book Award, has released its finalists, for both fiction and for poetry. The fiction finalists have omitted, both Nobel Laureates: Elfriede Jelinek, and her hybrid work of fiction or dramatic work: “Her Not All Her.” I presume on the grounds that it is, difficult to define, and its avant-garde style may alienate readers. As jury members, need to consider they needs to consider the works on its literary and artistic integrity; but also on its ability to resonate and create some empathetic bond with the reader. Mo Yan with his novel “Sandalwood Death,” has also been omitted. Here are the lists finalists:

“Horses of God,” by Mahi Binebine
”Blinding,” by Mircea Cărtărescu
“The Story of a New Name,” by Elena Ferrante
“Tizra,” by Arnon Grunberg
“Seiobo There Below,” by László Krasznahorkai
“A True Novel,” by Minae Mizumura
“The African Shore,” by Rodrigo Rey Rosa
“Leg Over Leg Vol 1,” by Ahmad Faris al-Shidyaq
“The Forbidden Kingdom,” by Jan Jacob Slauerhoff (J. Slauerhoff)
“My Struggle Book Two,” by Karl Ove Knausgaard

Now the poetry contenders. I may not being a adamant reader of poetry, I do however, recognize some of the poetry collections listed below:

“The Guest In The Wood,” by Elsa Biagini
“Relocations: 3 Contemporary Russian Women Poets,” by Polina Barskova, Anna Glazova, and Maria Stepanova
“The Unknown University,” by Roberto Bolano
“White Piano,” by Nicole Brossard
“Murder,” by Danielle Collobert
“In the Moremarrow,” by Oliverio Girondo
“Paul Klee’s Boat,” by Anzhelina Polonskaya
“Four Elemental Bodies,” by Claude Royet-Journaud
“The Oasis of Now,” by Sohrab Sepehri
“His Days Go By the Way Her Years,” by Ye Mim

The poetry collections I do recognize are: “The Guest In The Wood,” by Elsa Biagini; ““Four Elemental Bodies,” by Claude Royet-Journaud; as well as “The Oasis of Now,” by Claude Royet-Journaud. I had heard of “The Unknown University,” by Roberto Bolano. Every time one of Bolano’s back catalogue books are released, there seems to be a stir in the wind; and a ripple in the water.

What will it be Gentle Reader? Will László Krasznahorkai go for a second consecutive win? Perhaps, it will be the Norwegian Proust: Knausgaard; whose confessional books; have become a literary firestorm; as he plays with fire in his books, of personal struggles and achievements. Really it is anyone’s guess Gentle Reader. It truly is.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
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M. Mary