Literature in translation

The Independent has a very fine book section on Fridays and is one of the few English-language newspapers to make sure that they have fiction translated from other languages reviewed every week. I, for one, greatly appreciate it. After all, if one is going to read in the conquerors’ language, it might as well be material from other countries! Seriously, though, it is nice to see an English-language paper make such an honest attempt to connect with literature written in other languages.

On Friday, The Independent announced, their long list for their annual fiction in translation award, an award which gives equal due to both the author and the translator. Of the 16 books on the long list, I have read only one up to now – Juan Gabriel Vasquez’s The Informers. Vasquez is Colombian and the book was originally in Spanish. Funnily enough, the reason I chose the book was because it was translated by Anne McLean – who also translated Soldiers of Salamis by Spain’s Javier Cercas which won the Independent’s Prize for Foreign Fiction in 2004.

Indeed, Ms McLean and myself are becoming a regular literary item – I am currently reading The Armies by Evelio Rosero, another Colombian writer, who has also been translated into English by – you guessed it – Anne McLean. The Armies has also made the long list. I don’t have a word of Spanish but am thoroughly enjoying discovering contemporary Spanish-language literature in McLean’s company. Here’s hoping she adds another award to her substantial achievements; she certainly deserves it. Never underestimate the power of a good translator.

(I will add as a note that the Portuguese writer, Jose Eduardo Agualusa, is also on the long list for his novel, My Father’s Wives. Agualusa is another fine writer and well worth reading.)