The Art of Books in Translation

I was never supposed to read these books.

They were written in different languages, intended for people who speak that language to read. Did these authors ever imagine that their work could be so powerful and impactful that others are willing to dedicate years to translating it to another language and expand the audience who can access it? This is a thought that crosses my mind every time I read a book that is translated from another language.

One of my favorite sub-categories of the (mostly fiction) books that I read are translated books. I love how it shows me and exposes me to different times in history, different cultural experiences, different parts of the world. In fact, I have a tendency of seeking out books that are translated from other languages for that exact exposure. It invites me into a world I could hardly imagine and never experience on my own. Even in works of fiction, I learn so much.

I have a huge appreciation for the translators who dedicate weeks, months, years, to sharing the experience of these books with us. The ability to capture the prose, convey the characters and themes, and translate cultural-specific phrases and language is something I imagine is incredibly difficult. But this has introduced me to some of my favorite books of all time and given me a special appreciation for the literature of certain regions of the world and different historical time periods, and I am very grateful for that.

Whether it’s an international classic with dozens of translations or a contemporary, underrated novel with only one translation, being able to access what was maybe never intended to be translated… These novels are works of art on their own, and the translations are works of art as well. I will always recommend reading translated literature for the sake of learning, for the experience, for the journey that you may have never imagined.

Of course, I can’t end this post without sharing some of my favorite translated works:

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, translated from Russian by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin, translated from French by Aneesa Abbas Higgins

Abigail by Magda Szabó, translated from Hungarian by Len Rix

Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn, translated from Korean by Sandy Joosun Lee

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Sam Bett and David Boyd

I hope you all give translated books a chance if you haven’t, and enjoy them as much as I have. Thanks for reading!