I plan on adding to this challenge for the rest of the year as well, but thought I’d mark it complete anyway. This was a great challenge! I love reading world literature, and it’s been my goal for the last two years to also read more in translation. In 2007, I read 14 titles with 10 different languages represented, and in 2008 I read 24 books with 11 different languages in translation.
The goal of Frances’s challenge was to read six works in translation. I wanted to stretch myself a bit and have at least 6 different languages respresented as well, and so far I’ve read 7 in translation which are listed below. I really enjoyed almost all of these books, but my favorites were The Housekeeper and the Professor, Fear and Trembling, So Long a Letter, Solaris, and The Devil and Miss Prym.
I’m really happy with my results for literature in translation. Eleven languages were represented by 24 books. Here is the breakdown by original language:
Japanese (5)
French (4)
Hungarian (4)
Icelandic (2)
Norwegian (2)
Russian (2)
German (1)
Chinese (1)
Italian (1)
Swedish (1)
Spanish (1)
The list below is by author nationality. If a book is set in a different country, it is noted. Also, some of the authors have moved from their original country, and if known, that is also indicated. Twenty-one countries were represented by 75 different books. I didn’t count the US authors at the bottom of the list in the totals, but I did note the settings of those books just for general interest.
Have you been reading any world literature lately? Do you enjoy books in a particular world location?
I do enjoy reading from authors outside the U.S., and I’ve been happy with my results for 2008 so far. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of both Canadian Challenges. I’ve read three each by L.M. Montgomery and Atwood with hopes to read more of both authors next year.
What’s also amazing was that I read two books (in translation, of course) originally in Icelandic and none (so far) in Spanish. I never would have predicted that! Here is the breakdown by original language:
Japanese (5)
French (4)
Hungarian (3)
Icelandic (2)
German (1)
Chinese (1)
Italian (1)
Norwegian (1)
Swedish (1)
The list below is by author nationality. If a book is set in a different country, it is noted. Also, some of the authors have moved from their original country, and if known, that is also indicated. I should have a few more titles to add to this list by the end of the year. (I’m behind on my reviews, but eventually they’ll get there.)
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
by Marian Engel
