I’ve given books read in translation their own section over the past couple of years to keep up the pressure on myself to read more widely from other countries. This year, I failed to keep up with last year’s success at 25 books (18%), managing just 18 (14%) up to my cut-off day of 25 December, and from fewer source languages too. Maybe this was the effect of reading more poetry… As always, France dominates my reading in translation, several books earning 10/10 too. However, I began the year with a readalong project of Umberto Eco’s Italian modern classic The Name of the Rose – which with its length and density, could be three books worth – that’s my excuse!
French
- Adèle by Leïla Slimani – O (7.5/10) Shiny review
- Astragal by Albertine Sarrazin – O* (7.10) Review
- Le Bal by Irène Némirovsky – O* (9/10) Review
- Lie With Me by Philippe Besson – O (10/10) Review
- The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun by Sebastien Japrisot – RC (9/10) Shiny Review
- Maigret and Monsieur Charles by Georges Simenon – RC (8.5/10) Review
- A Meal in Winter by Hubert Mingarelli – O* (10/10) Review
- The Missing of Clairdelune (Mirror Visitor #2) by Christelle Dabos – RC (10/10) Review
- Vintage 1954 by Antoine Laurain – RC (8.5/10) Shiny review
German
- The Dance of Death by Oliver Bottini – RC (6,5/10) Review
Italian
- The Animal Gazer by Edgardo Franzosini – O (8/10) Review
- The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco – O* Re-read review in 3 parts: One Two Three
- Sanctuary by Luca D’Andrea – RC (8/10) Review
Japanese
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi – NG (7/10) Review
- Birthday Girl by Haruki Murakami – O Review
Russian
- The Gardener from Ochakov by Andrey Kurkov (Ukraine) – O* (9/10) Review
Spanish / Catalan
- Cold Skin by Albert Sanchez Pinol (Catalan) – O* (9.5/10) Review
Swedish
- The Carrier by Mattias Berg – RC (6.5/10) Review
I’ve read just one translated from the Spanish book. I’ve read just one from your list the Umberto Eco one which I really liked.
There are more and more books in translation into English available these days. I enjoy getting into another nation’s/culture’s head, so hope to do at least the same next year.
You’ve made me go back and check and it turns out I’ve read eighteen novels in translation this year, too, more towards the end of the year for some reason.
18 is not bad at all – more than me this year. 🙂
You’ve done really well this year! Lots of high ratings. I’ll have to make sure I go back and count up to make the lit in translation ratio a part of my year-end statistics.
I did even better last year. I would like to spread my reach further next year, but I do so love French novels!
Then carry on reading French novels and don’t worry about for it! (Says she with the penchant for German novels in translation – 25 of 45 translated works read this year – and no intention of changing that any time soon.)