Hello
Gentle Reader
Jill
Schoolman is a slightly unsung hero. Schoolman is the founder, editor and
publisher of Archipelago Books, one of the most wonderful independent publishers
whose sole focus is on translated and international literature. All of my
Archipelago Books have a cherished spot on my bookshelves, and are often
noticed by visitor’s who ask about ‘the small rainbow books,’ which I gleefully
inform them, are books from one of my favourite publishers. An Archipelago Book—be
it: “Dreams of Stone,” by Magdalena Tulli, to “To Mervas,” by Elisabeth Rynell,
to “Mister Blue,” by Jacques Poulin, to “Time Ages in a Hurry,” by Antonio
Tabucchi, to the massive “Blinding,” by Mircea Cărtărescu—is always a prized
jewel in my forest of stories.
Archipelago
books have done a phenomenal job at producing the underappreciated, the
overlooked, or the unknown into English language markets. For this the
publishing company has received praise by newspapers for its uniquely stylized
books, for the quality of the translations, and for the diversity of the works
translated and published—from the metafictional worlds of Magdalena Tulli, to
the banks of Quebec with Jacques Poulin, to the existential ponderings of the
Japanese short story master Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, to the scandalous as well as exaggerated
life of the declining Catalan aristocrats of Catalonia, depicted in Josep Maria
de Sagarra scathing and satirical grand novel.
Now
Jill Schoolman and Archipelago Books have received further recognition, by
being awarded the Words Without Borders Ottaway Award, for the Promotion of
International Literature. In choosing to
award Schoolman with the Ottaway award, the Board Chair of Words Without
Borders, Samantha Schnee stated the following:
“As
physical and political borders close in around us, Jill Schoolman’s Archipelago
Books offers a safe harbor to literary talent from around the world, infusing
our bookshelves with vital and original work in translation. We are thrilled to
celebrate her heroic efforts with this year’s Ottaway Award.”
At
one point in time, it may have been odd to call translating literature a heroic
endeavor; but the political climate in the world has become increasingly
xenophobic and distrustful of others. Every day the news reports a story about
borders closing, missiles ready to launch, people seeking refuge and soon
turned away. Though literature cannot change these realities, it cannot solve
these problems or even change the perspective of the masses or the politically governing,
but it does offer an exchange of language and culture between languages on a
literary level, which has the ability to bring to light the human universalities
or love and suffering, but the unique cultural trials of different individuals
in different cultures.
I’ve
always looked at reading international literature as a form of traveling—at least
at a more affordable price. It is with great thanks to Jill Schoolman,
Archipelago Books, and the talented translators that I have been able to
experience such unique worlds, read great writers and books, and seen the world
though I can’t quite afford to travel. But now translation has become
necessary, to showcase via literature human is not atomized into different
countries or religions or races. Human is human, however weak or fragile,
however corrupt and immoral; human is human, through its compassion and ability
to grow and move forward. There’s a lot of work to be done, but becoming isolationistic
is not conducive to a greater or grander world. There is work to be done, and
at least Jill Schoolman is working on it and allowing access to the world
through books, as it becomes increasingly barred from us and others.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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