International Banned Book Pick: The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare (Albania)

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

PLOT: The mysterious palace of dreams stands at the heart of a vast empire. Inside, workers sift, sort, and interpret the dreams the empire’s citizens. They search out Master-Dreams that will provide clues to the destiny of the empire and its Sultan. Mark-Alem, scion of a noble family that has provided viziers to the Sultan … Continue reading International Banned Book Pick: The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare (Albania)

Minority Languages Translated Book Pick: Twist by Harkaitz Cano (Basque)

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

Set in the politically charged climate of the Basque Country in the 1980s, Twist relates the disappearance and brutal murder of two ETA militants at the hands of the Spanish army. The novel centers on their friend and fellow activist Diego Lazkano, who, since revealing his comrades to the authorities, has been tormented by guilt. … Continue reading Minority Languages Translated Book Pick: Twist by Harkaitz Cano (Basque)

World Languages Title Pick: Flaetscher – Die Sache Stinkt! by Antje Szillat (Germany)

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

This is the first post in a new series of title picks for libraries building world languages collections. We will provide links to the foreign rights pages to publishers around the world. The descriptions for these non-translations will be in English and will include, when possible, sample translations, which will give you a flavor of … Continue reading World Languages Title Pick: Flaetscher – Die Sache Stinkt! by Antje Szillat (Germany)

International Banned Book: The Fugitive by Pramoedya Ananta Toer (Indonesia)

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

Plot:  In the twilight days of Japanese power in his country, an Indonesian army officer sparks an insurrection against the occupation army but is forced to flee into the jungle when he is betrayed by one of his own comrades. Challenge: Banned in Indonesia in 1950, for containing "subversive" material, including an attempt to promote Marxist–Leninist … Continue reading International Banned Book: The Fugitive by Pramoedya Ananta Toer (Indonesia)

International Banned Book: No Man’s Land by Duong Thu Huong

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

I hadn’t read a literary work with such care for the characters and a narrative that weaves humanity’s impulses, tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses with everyday forces of nature. Mien, Hoan, Bon, Xa, and the communities in which they reside are written richly and compellingly. Their often unpredictable actions build layers of smoke, and their relationships … Continue reading International Banned Book: No Man’s Land by Duong Thu Huong

International Banned Book Review: Candy by Mian Mian

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

Andrea Lingenfelter’s translation of Mian Mian’s Candy is like reading Kathy Acker—it’s disgusting but also accessible in the sense that it’s like reading the work of a rock star. It’s unwilling to be understood, but the questions it poses about conformity and overindulgence makes for a rewarding read. Hong, the protagonist, narrates her story with … Continue reading International Banned Book Review: Candy by Mian Mian

Publisher Spotlight: Arsenal Pulp Press

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

Award-winning publisher Arsenal Pulp Press has a reputation for championing quality international literature, and it only takes a scan of their forthcoming titles to prove this reputation to be well-earned. Founded in 1971, the Vancouver-based indie has consistently produced gorgeous books from diverse viewpoints, with special attention paid to underrepresented communities. Translated titles, such as … Continue reading Publisher Spotlight: Arsenal Pulp Press

A Warwick Prize Shortlist and Clementine Loves Red

Posted on by Avery Fischer Udagawa

When a translated book for children makes the shortlist of an award also open to grown-up books, my heart leaps. Because yes, children’s literature is literature. And translators of children’s books need plenty of credit and support for their careers, made tenuous by the (currently—we can change this) low demand for #worldkidlit translated into English. … Continue reading A Warwick Prize Shortlist and Clementine Loves Red

International Publisher Spotlight: Lannoo Publishers (Belgium)

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

In recent years, Lannoo Publishers has established a global presence with its internationally recognized list. Topics can be grouped into four categories: 1. Lifestyle & Art list Our exciting Lifestyle & Art list features Belgium's best-selling author Pascale Naessens, whose books have sold almost 2 million copies so far, inspiring craft, mouth-watering gastronomy and internationally … Continue reading International Publisher Spotlight: Lannoo Publishers (Belgium)

Publisher Spotlight: Action Books

Posted on by Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

Manifesto Action Books is transnational. Action Books is interlingual. Action Books is Futurist. Action Books is No Future. Action Books is feminist. Action Books is political. Action Books is for noisies. Action Books believes in historical avant-gardes. & unknowable dys-contemporary discontinuous occultly continuous anachronistic avant-gardes. Art, Genre, Voice, Prophecy, Theatricality, Materials, the Bodies, Foreign Tongues, … Continue reading Publisher Spotlight: Action Books