Translators on Books that Should be Translated

In a May 2019 article in Vulture, Chad Post, the publisher of Open Letter Books and a prominent advocate of translated literature, estimates that there are “1,500 titles a year, at a minimum, that publishers could (should?) be translating into English.” On this page we will publish short essays by translators who discuss books that could and should be translated into English. The column is premised on the following:

  • it aims to highlight interesting and valuable literary works from a wide range of linguistic and literary traditions that merit translation into English;
  • its contributors are not promoting their own translations — that is, the authors of the essays published here are not translating (or planning to translate) the work(s) they are discussing;
  • it intends to call publishers’ attention to literary works from around the world that they may not have noticed otherwise;
  • and, as always, it aims to underscore and endorse the translator’s highly creative and intellectual labor.

Stiliana Milkova, Managing Editor

Francesca Melandri, “Sangue Giusto” (2017), reviewed by Barbara Ofosu-Somuah
Soma Morgenstern, “Der Sohn des verlorenen Sohnes” (1935), reviewed by Kata Gellen 
Simona Baldelli, “Evelina e le fate” (Giunti, 2013), reviewed by Enrica Maria Ferrara
Slavenka Drakulić, “Marble Skin” (1989), reviewed by Serena Todesco
Maša Kolanović, “Sloboština Barbie” (2008), reviewed by Ena Selimović
Yordanka Beleva, “Keder” (Janet 45, 2018), reviewed by Izidora Angel
Diana Çuli, “Dreri i Trotuarëve” (Toena, 2013), reviewed by Barbara Halla
Roberto Carretta and Renato Viola, “Indigo” (Aragno, 2011), reviewed by Stiliana Milkova
Silvio Perrella, “Io ho paura” (Neri Pozza, 2018), reviewed by Enrica Maria Ferrara