Articles

#ItalianLitMonth n.5: Jenny McPhee, Translator of Lies and Sorcery, Interviewed by Lisa Mullenneaux

Posted on by Leah Janeczko

Jenny McPhee is the author of the novels The Center of Things, No Ordinary Matter, and A Man of No Moon and co-authored Girls: Ordinary Girls and Their Extraordinary Pursuits. Her translations from the Italian include works by Anna Banti, Massimo Bontempelli, Natalia Ginzburg, Giacomo Leopardi, Primo Levi, Anna Maria Ortese, Curzio Malaparte, Pope John … Continue reading #ItalianLitMonth n.5: Jenny McPhee, Translator of Lies and Sorcery, Interviewed by Lisa Mullenneaux

#ItalianLitMonth n.4: The Florence Review: Italy’s First Bilingual Lit Mag

Posted on by Leah Janeczko

by Johanna Bishop Florence is full of American students—18,000 of them in 2024 alone. And most, of course, are undergraduates who arrive unequipped with enough Italian to let them simply pick books off the shelf in a shop or library. Back in 2016, the young people in Alessandro Raveggi’s class at NYU Florence had the … Continue reading #ItalianLitMonth n.4: The Florence Review: Italy’s First Bilingual Lit Mag

#ItalianLitMonth n.3: Three Fun, Fascinating Italian Books for Children and Young Adults

Posted on by Leah Janeczko

by Nanette McGuinness What do the books that I translate from Italian into English have in common? They’re fascinating and fun—and they also vary greatly. Take, for example, my three most recent translations from this lyrical language, which range from a nonfiction picture book to a fictional graphic novel for ages 8-12 (middle grade, in … Continue reading #ItalianLitMonth n.3: Three Fun, Fascinating Italian Books for Children and Young Adults

#ItalianLitMonth n.2: Beppe Fenoglio’s A Private Affair

Posted on by Leah Janeczko

by Howard Curtis Although not especially well known outside Italy, Beppe Fenoglio is considered one of the most significant Italian writers of the period immediately after World War II. Emerging as he did from the anti-Fascist partisan movement, he wrote mostly (though not exclusively) about the war years. When his novel A Private Affair was … Continue reading #ItalianLitMonth n.2: Beppe Fenoglio’s A Private Affair

#ItalianLitMonth n.1: Italian Lit Month: A Chorus of Voices

Posted on by Leah Janeczko

by Leah Janeczko Yesterday, September 30th, was the feast day of San Girolamo – St. Jerome – and I’m thankful to this patron saint of translators for ushering us into October, the month of the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative’s first blog dedicated to Italian literature in English translation, because this is a monumental and … Continue reading #ItalianLitMonth n.1: Italian Lit Month: A Chorus of Voices

#TaiwanKidLitMonth: A Wrap-up of Taiwanese Literature Month

Posted on by Eleanor Duggan

As we draw the curtains on #TaiwanKidLitMonth, let’s take a moment to bask in the glow of the incredible journey we’ve shared! This celebration has truly showcased the power of stories, culture, and creativity, whisking us away to the enchanting world of Taiwanese literature. First and foremost, a ginormous 謝謝 (THANK YOU) to everyone who … Continue reading #TaiwanKidLitMonth: A Wrap-up of Taiwanese Literature Month

#TaiwanKidLitMonth: Bridging Cultures Through Art – Betel Nut Beauty 

Posted on by Eleanor Duggan

Betel Nut Beauty in traditional Chinese (Eslite) Betel Nut Beauty is a captivating graphic novel by Lucas Paixão, a Brazilian author who made Taiwan his second home. As a fellow expat who moved from Taiwan to Brazil for work, I find a unique resonance with Lucas's journey. His story is a vibrant tapestry of cultural … Continue reading #TaiwanKidLitMonth: Bridging Cultures Through Art – Betel Nut Beauty 

#TaiwanKidLitMonth: Exploring Urban Wonders – A Journey Through Joyce Sun’s Wordless Masterpieces

Posted on by Eleanor Duggan

Welcome to our exploration of Joyce Sun's captivating wordless picture books, where vibrant illustrations and intricate details bring urban landscapes to life. In this post, we dive into her masterpieces, uncovering the unique storytelling techniques that make her work a visual feast. Join me as we journey through bustling streets in Taipei, iconic landmarks, and … Continue reading #TaiwanKidLitMonth: Exploring Urban Wonders – A Journey Through Joyce Sun’s Wordless Masterpieces

#TaiwanKidLitMonth: Meet Joyce Sun – The Magical Illustrator from Taiwan

Posted on by Eleanor Duggan

During my short trip back to Taiwan in July, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Joyce Sun, a celebrated Taiwanese author whose enchanting picture books have captured the hearts of young readers and their families. With a unique blend of cultural storytelling and captivating illustrations, Sun's works resonate deeply with local children while … Continue reading #TaiwanKidLitMonth: Meet Joyce Sun – The Magical Illustrator from Taiwan

#TaiwanKidLitMonth: Mama is a Cloud – A Journey Through Life’s Emotions (Untranslated Gems Friday)

Posted on by Eleanor Duggan

Mama is a Cloud is a touching picture book that guides children and adults through understanding life and finding comfort in sadness.  Higo Wu, a Taiwanese author known for his heartfelt and evocative stories, believes that "the smallest unit that makes up the universe is stories, not atoms." This philosophy drives him to continually expand … Continue reading #TaiwanKidLitMonth: Mama is a Cloud – A Journey Through Life’s Emotions (Untranslated Gems Friday)