So obviously if you’re interested in the Best Translated Book Award, you’ll be excited to hear the award and the judging process described on television by its founder, Chad Post, along with Jeff Waxman, who’s serving as a judge this year. Voila.
And now that you’ve enjoyed that interlude, it’s time to find out which books have been selected for this year’s poetry and fiction shortlists. Both lists were announced last night at a ceremony in Rochester, NY, home to Three Percent, which organizes and hosts the awards. The winners in each category will be announced on Friday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. at McNally Jackson Books as part of the PEN World Voices Festival.
Fiction Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Lightning by Jean Echenoz
Translated from the French by Linda Coverdale
(New Press)
Upstaged by Jacques Jouet
Translated from the French by Leland de la Durantaye
(Dalkey Archive Press)
Kornél Esti by Dezső Kosztolányi
Translated from the Hungarian by Bernard Adams
(New Directions)
I Am a Japanese Writer by Dany Laferrière
Translated from the French by David Homel
(Douglas & MacIntyre)
New Finnish Grammar by Diego Marani
Translated from the Italian by Judith Landry
(Dedalus)
Stone Upon Stone by Wiesław Myśliwski
Translated from the Polish by Bill Johnston
(Archipelago Books)
Scars by Juan José Saer
Translated from the Spanish by Steve Dolph
(Open Letter)
Kafka’s Leopards by Moacyr Scliar
Translated from the Portuguese by Thomas O. Beebee
(Texas Tech University Press)
In Red by Magdalena Tulli
Translated from the Polish by Bill Johnston
(Archipelago Books)
Never Any End to Paris by Enrique Vila-Matas
Translated from the Spanish by Anne McLean
(New Directions)
Poetry Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Hagar Before the Occupation, Hagar After the Occupation by Amal al-Jubouri
Translated from the Arabic by Rebecca Gayle Howell with Husam Qaisi
(Alice James Books)
Last Verses by Jules Laforgue
Translated from the French by Donald Revell
(Omnidawn)
Spectacle & Pigsty by Kiwao Nomura
Translated from the Japanese by Kyoko Yoshida and Forrest Gander
(Omnidawn)
A Fireproof Box by Gleb Shulpyakov
Translated from the Russian by Christopher Mattison
(Canarium Books)
engulf—enkindle by Anja Utler
Translation from the German by Kurt Beals
(Burning Deck)
False Friends by Uljana Wolf
Translated from the German by Susan Bernofsky
(Ugly Duckling Presse)
As you can imagine, I’m especially happy about the inclusion of the last book on the list, my collaboration with the indomitable Uljana Wolf. But it looks like there’s stiff competition this year, so wish us luck! For more information about the awards and the finalists, visit the Three Percent website.