La Siberia, Cristina Siscar (a novella–that of the title–and stories). I found this collection in my search to read more about Patagonia. These are stories about travelers in Patagonia, Amsterdam, Valparaiso, locals and foreigners adrift or stranded, sometimes physically, sometimes in memory. There are some wonderful translation moments embedded in the stories, and rich, perplexing landscapes, some of them familiar to me, some new.
Translation Review Issue 92 — One of the advantages of being on leave is the chance to read journal issues soon after they appear, rather than “eventually.” I especially enjoyed Jean Anderson’s article on translations of Patrick Modiano’s work, and Leah Leone’s piece on teaching an online literary translation workshop–I’ll be teaching a translation seminar in the fall (not online), and I’m sure I’ll draw on some of Leone’s ideas.
Seeing Red, Megan McDowell’s translation of Lina Meruane’s Sangre en el ojo. I enjoyed this one, and will look for more of Meruane’s work (also McDowell’s). My more detailed review can be read at Necessary Fiction.
Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel. Wow. I seldom read novels that might be described as “post-apocalyptic,” and I (unwisely) started this one while still getting over the nastiest cold I’ve had in years. But I was completely bowled over. The world is so thoroughly, convincingly imagined, terrifyingly yet beautifully described. And I got a kick out of the Michigan place names, though that won’t be relevant to every reader.
Alan Pauls, A History of Money (translated by Ellie Robins). Imagine my relief when I unwrapped the book, a gift from a favorite aunt, saw the title and then those beloved two words, “a novel,” on the cover. This is next up, planned weekend reading. I’m looking forward to this one.
The Color of Magic, the first of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books. My son has been chortling over these books for months, and urging me to read them, so when I get on a plane next week, I’ll take one along.