Hello
Gentle Reader
The
past week was busier than previously anticipated; between work, cross training
for yet another position, as well as an exam, I had mistakenly and unfortunately
forgotten about the Best Translated Book Award, and its new winner. Now, almost
a week later, I am here to report the winners of this year’s Best Translated
Book Award are: Argentinian writer, Rodrigo Fresán, with his novel “The
Invented Part,” for fiction; and the late Greek poet, Eleni Vakalo, with her
poetry collection: “Before Lyricism.”
I
am not surprised to see Eleni Vakalo’s poetry collection “Before Lyricism,” win
the award, after all the collection itself has had a reputation for ages as
being untranslatable, difficult, demanding, and a monumental work of poetic
genius. Thankfully, the book was translated by the accomplished and skilled
scholar, Karen Emmerich. Of all the poets and their collections shortlisted,
Eleni Vakalo carried a heavy and intellectually frightening weight, which could
not be overlooked or missed—and this may I add, comes from someone who rarely
reads poetry.
Admittedly
I am surprised that Rodrigo Fresán won the Best Translated Book Award for
fiction, with his novel “The Invented Part.” The shortlist struck me as strong
and diverse, and certainly thought the best contenders for the award were:
Fleur Jaeggy, and her short story collection “I am the Brother of XX,” the late
Wolfgang Hilbig, and his stream-of consciousness’s novel of childhood and growing
up, “The Old Rendering Plant,” the French superstar, Marie NDiaye and her novel
“My Heart Hemmed In,” as well as the long sprawling novel “Compass,” which
tackles numerous subjects and themes, while dancing around orientalism, by the French
author Mathias Énard. I however, gave no real consideration to Rodrigo Fresán
or his novel “The Invented Part,” which is a strikingly postmodernist tale, fit
with a writer who wishes to die a cosmic death (due to his lack of approval of
contemporary literary culture and the world at large) seeks to turn himself
into a ‘meta-writer,’ where he will be able to rewrite reality. The novel was
also praised for its humour (the premise alone is bitterly comic), its vibrant
characters, its pop culture postmodern references, and its dance between
madness and genius; it is no wonder Rodrigo Fresán has been called a ‘pop
culture Borges.’
There
you are Gentle Reader (though late) this year’s Best Trnslated Book Award
Winners! Congratulations to both writers and their respective and admirable
translators!
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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