The Birdcage Archives

Tuesday 14 March 2017

Thank-you: Jill Schoolman & Archipelago Books

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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