Well sure you’ve seen around the blogosphere these last few days post about the Waterstone’s 11 for 11 debut novels due out this year or already out .Well I m disappointed as not one of the debuts is a translation ,as ever books in translation are not considered for this list .Well I thought for those who may like a few tips on debut books in translation I give you a few books that are due out and are debut’s or reissuses worth looking into –
The coming by Andrej Nikoladis – A debut from the european literature prize-winning Montenegrin writer .A detective investigating a crime in a small town is drawn in to an odd world as the library burns down and you take a trip through the past and a medieval heretic that announced the second coming also events that might happen . from the new publisher Istros books .
The brothers by Asko Sahlberg – the first of Peirene press year of small epics a book from finland about brother that thought on different sides of the war of 1809 between finland and russia ,Meike calls it a historic novel in miniature form .
Trieste by Dasa Drndic A women waits to meet her son she hasn’t seen for sixty odd years after he was conceived under that nazi regime as part of the lebensborn project for pure Aryans .an inventive novel that use many styles of writing and one that has been on my wish list since its first mention last year . I have mention this before but its publication was put back out next month .
Faces in the crowd by Valeria Luiselli a mexican novel set in present day Mexico city with a 21st century Emily Dickinson and 1950’s Philadelphia and the tale of lost Mexican Poet one of the most exciting voices from latin america and has been compared to Roberto Bolano another great voice from Mexico .due out may .
The family of Pascal Duarte by Camila Jose Cela – Not a debut but one of spain’s most highly regarded writers and a noble winner nice to see Dalkey Archive bring him back .A murderer looks back on his hard life of poverty hatred and depravity whilst on death row .
The islands by Carlos Gamerro .I reviewed an open secret by him recently now and other stories are publishing his next book Felipe felix is given a mission that makes him remember the Falklands war and find a witness to a crime for a manganate .If it is half as good as open secret it will be excellent
I burn Paris by Bruno Jasienski a controversial book in its day that lead to its writer being deported from france ,a man poisons Paris water supply and we see how it affects the population a classic of polish lit in english for the first time from twisted spoon .
Jan 22, 2012 @ 16:08:38
Trieste has been on my radar too. And love the cover design. Never hurts.
Jan 22, 2012 @ 16:11:34
yes lovely cover ,my copy came friday so looking forward to cracking it open ,all the best stu
Jan 22, 2012 @ 16:16:30
Oh my… a great list and just when I’m not allowed to buy books. Will have to put them on a list.
Jan 22, 2012 @ 16:20:23
Ha ,sure they’ll be there when the ban is over ,all the best stu
Jan 22, 2012 @ 18:11:56
Ah, was hoping you might put together some suggestions! Thanks, Stu. Will investigate some of these further — although I’m not supposed to be buying any books until I get myself a job!!
Jan 23, 2012 @ 22:33:25
Had to Kim ,just disappoint that waterstone’s didn’t have one on there list sure the is one translation worthy of the list ,all the best stu
Jan 22, 2012 @ 19:24:02
Thanks, Stu, for adding to the list of books I would love to read.
Jan 23, 2012 @ 22:32:09
I m looking forward ot all of these myself ,all the best stu
Jan 22, 2012 @ 23:18:38
Thanks for this list, Stu, you’ve added more to my TBR list!
Jan 23, 2012 @ 22:31:45
Welcome Gavin ,all the best stu
Jan 23, 2012 @ 00:54:06
Yes, a very disappointing list – well done for setting up an alternative one 😉
Jan 23, 2012 @ 22:31:28
Had to tony was annoying to see not one translation ,all the best stu
Jan 24, 2012 @ 07:55:08
Valeria’s faces in the crowd looks like would be a great read. Thanks for sharing.
Jan 26, 2012 @ 19:12:17
It does a different dual time line story ,all the best stu
Jan 24, 2012 @ 09:12:37
Thanks for this Stu. I am looking forward to your review of Trieste, but I would be prepared to take it on trust, on the strength of your comments above. Great stuff.
Jan 26, 2012 @ 19:09:21
I m looking forward to it Sarah it looks great even after a quick flick through and read ,all the best stu