Well its become a bit of a tradition to do a post every year predicting the longlist for the IFFP .Well I’m honoured that they choose a thursday , next thursday for #translationthurs – my weekly meme that has grown over the years .So what books do I think will make the longlist ? I’ve mix books I’ve read with those I haven’t yet got too , but feel have a good shout .So for world book day , the prize that maybe fully brings the world of books to the uk readers the IFFP
Bonita Avenue by Peter Buwalda
A tale of a Dutch family just as the internet is taking of and a family member using the darkest corner of the internet .I have this from library to read .
Look who’s back by Timur Vermes
I loved this and especially the way Jamie seemed to capture Hitlers voice so well in English . The story of what happens when Adolf hitler returns to present day germany a wonderful satire
Never any end to paris by Enrique Vila Matas
The writers young life in Paris as a novel what wasn’t to love in this one .
sworn virgins by Elvira Dones
A lifting of the age-old tradition of women become men to take over before during and after . One those books that make you think does this really happen
Bilbao – New York – Bilbao by Kirmen Uribe
A book about a writer writing a book about the small fishing town he grew up in whilst on a plane to new york . One my favourites of last year
Harraga by Boualem Sansal
Two generations of women trap in a house in Algeria .Showing how much more has to change despite the arab spring a great book from a brave writer .
The mirror of beauty by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi
I reviewed this a couple years ago when I was kindly sent the indian release .But the uk release came out last year and it is a translation from Urdu by the writer himself .
The portrait by Willem Jan Otten
A painting of a dead boy tells its story a wonderfully unique book
Dead lake by by Hamid Ismailov
A boy takes a swim in a lake in the soviet hinterland and never grows any more . As with every year Peirene could have more than one on the list .
Zone BY Mathias Enard
A new publisher and a great choice of this massive french novel about a train trip to rome in a slightly different europe .
The tower by Uwe Tellkamp
A story of one family during the time of the former East Germany .Epic novel one of two that should be there .
Confessions by Jaume Cabre
Now I loved this when I read it but it got put to one side so will need a review and lets hope it was entered . the story of violence through time one man and an instrument epic catalan fiction .
Indigo by Clemens J setz
Childern dying of Indigo a teacher tries to find out the truth .An experimental novel from Austira .
In the end I went mainly with my favourites others I think my make actual list include the Quebert novel , Murakami ,Peterson , Nevo novels from last year all three have been on longlist before .Juan Marse is another book I read but didn’t review and he is considered Spain’s best writer of last 25 years .
What were your favourites last year ?
Mar 05, 2015 @ 18:12:23
You’ve just reminded me I need to read Caubre, Indigo, The Tower and Vila-Matas. But, of the ones that I have read, I like your choices…
Mar 05, 2015 @ 18:12:50
Thanks Marina just shows how many great books came out last year
Mar 05, 2015 @ 18:29:43
The only one of these I’ve read is “Look Who’s Back” Stu – and I absolutely loved it! 🙂
Mar 05, 2015 @ 18:49:56
It was wonderful satire wasn’t it
Mar 05, 2015 @ 20:55:45
Very much so! 🙂
Mar 05, 2015 @ 20:29:39
Great choices – I’ve read four and have another three (one bought on your recommendation). However if both Confessions and The Tower are on the list I may have to invent a time machine to get them read!
Mar 05, 2015 @ 20:39:41
I know I think tower may be but not sure if confessions was entered
Mar 05, 2015 @ 21:22:20
Well, not much overlap there – only ‘Zone’ appears on both our lists 😉
Mar 06, 2015 @ 08:08:28
Yes shows how many great books in translation are being published
Mar 05, 2015 @ 21:50:46
I’m dying to read for the IFFP, and to read your choices as well. You know I think you make a better selection than many of the judges do!
Mar 06, 2015 @ 08:09:03
Be interesting to compare tony mine and actual list
Mar 06, 2015 @ 12:27:52
Be interesting to see if I can find any of them here in the States.
Mar 06, 2015 @ 12:32:14
Yes it will let’s hope they aren’t to hard to get
Mar 06, 2015 @ 02:55:09
Some fascinating, but, wow, some heavy duty books here. I have read only two and am making my way through a borrowed copy of the Murakami (I know you liked it Stu but my love affair with the man is long since past). It looks like I can obtain any one of these titles should they get the nod without to much trouble. So many titles sound just brilliant whether they make the list or not.
Mar 06, 2015 @ 08:09:57
Thanks yes I am a fan of murakami and last book was a personal favourite of his recent books
Mar 07, 2015 @ 04:23:39
Someone advised me to stick with the Murakami despite my initial doubts and I am liking it more as time goes on.
Mar 06, 2015 @ 08:13:21
I will follow this with interest !
Mar 06, 2015 @ 08:20:02
Thanks
Mar 06, 2015 @ 09:25:58
Some great predictions, Stu. I haven’t read it, but everything I’ve heard about Zone makes me think it’s a shoo-in for the longlist. I have a lot of time for The Dead Lake, my favourite of last year’s Peirene books (although The Blue Room could be in with a shout too). The Vila-Matas made my end-of-year list, a wonderful book.
I’l be interested to hear how you get on with Bonita Avenue. I read it last year when a friend chose it for our book group. I’ve got mixed feelings…more on that when you review it! Looking forward to following your IFFP posts.
Mar 06, 2015 @ 09:27:30
Thanks Jacqui yes I could easily put all Peirene books on short list but stopped with just one I think Bonita avenue a particular iffp type book