Lost in Translation update 1

I decided a while ago – wow, okay, a LONG time ago – to take part in the Lost in Translation Reading Challenge. I posted a list of six translated books that I intended to read in 2009. I was very excited to read these books, and we already owned quite a few of them. But then plans changed. New books showed up in my life. Chamoiseau didn’t really work out (maybe I’ll try again next year). I have read a couple spectacular translated books, but I have not completed a single book on the original list. So here’s the New and Improved Lost in Translation reading list. I probably shouldn’t plan on this being the final version, either.

Already read:

• The Conqueror by Jan Kjaerstad. I was lucky enough to win an advance copy from Open Letter Press. This is the second in a trilogy, but even on its own it was a wonderful experience. The first originally-in-Norwegian book I’ve read.
• Metropole by Ferenc Karinthy. Okay, I’ll admit it: I was initially attracted to this book because it’s about a linguist. And it sounded a little creepy, but in a good way. Loved it; plan to re-read it again when I am traveling myself.

Still to read:

• Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi Wa Thiong’o (translated from Gikuyu) – hey, this was on the original list! I recently read his book Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature and that (which was written in English) discusses the story and motivations behind his choice to write in Gikuyu. Totally looking forward to this one.
• 2666 by Roberto Bolano – is it one book or five?! Whatever. I just learned that Claire of kiss a cloud and Steph of Steph & Tony Investigate! are co-hosting a read-along of this book. The plan is to complete one section of it every month, starting in May. I think this is a good/interesting approach, as it sounds like Bolano intended for all five parts to be published separately.
• NPR got me all excited about Independent People by Halldor Laxness. Bring it on, Iceland!
• Tied for spot # 6 are Vilnius Poker (Ricardas Gavelis), Out Stealing Horses (Per Petterson), The Seducer (Jan Kjaerstad), and The Vagrants (Yiyun Li). Stay tuned.