By Megan Cradock, Caroline Dowse, Ana Cecilia Matute, Stella Konstantopoulou and Zalak Shah
Writing is a special activity in which understanding the meaning of words and composing texts allow writers to create art. Reading in other languages and understanding the full meaning of a piece of writing is challenging. Translators are inspiring, as they allow such art to be understood and enjoyed by a wider audience. Here is a selection of recommendations for Women in Translation Month, chosen to celebrate women's writing from non-English speaking countries and the skill of those who have widened access to these texts.
A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos, Translated by Hildegarde Serle
Ophelia is an Animist’ she can read the past of objects simply by touching them, and she is also able to travel through mirrors. She is perfectly content looking after her museum collection but, after refusing several prospective betrothals, one has now been arranged that she cannot escape. She has been promised to Thorn, a member of the Dragon clan from the Pole. Given no alternative, Ophelia must leave her home Ark and go North.
But things aren't as they seem. Thorn is determined to keep Ophelia's arrival a secret, and, after taking a trip through her mirror, she finds out why: everyone wants to kill Thorn's fiancée. Separated from Ark and her family and with Thorn being unforthcoming, Ophelia has to wonder why he was so insistent to marry her in the first place, and why exactly everyone wants her dead.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, Translated by Alison Anderson
Set in one of the most beautiful streets in Paris, 7 Rue de Grenelle, this is the story of two people having different lives but with more in common than they think. Renée is the middle-aged concierge of a luxury apartment building, who secretly enjoys opera and literature, while Paloma, a precocious twelve-year-old, lives in the building with her wealth-obsessed mother and sister. Renée and Paloma hide their intellect in order to conform, which makes them both miserable and causes Paloma to contemplate suicide. When Japanese businessman Kakuro Ozu moves in and befriends them, Renée and Paloma start to see themselves and each other for who they really are.
This is a story of acceptance, told by both Renée and Paloma. Full of cultural and philosophical references, it reflects on the masks we wear in life and on whether we really need them.
Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector, Translated by Alison Entrekin
Throughout life, people constantly reflect on their context, their existence and the meaning of things. In literature, this has been extensively explored through the stream of consciousness, a narrative mode that focuses on depicting the diversity of human thoughts and the questions surrounding them. Near to the Wild Heart employs this narrative style, also used by James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. However, Lispector approaches it uniquely, highlighting the wonder and contradictions of the ordinary.
The story revolves around Joana's life, from childhood to adulthood, illustrating her growth. We experience first the peculiarities observed by a child, and then the weight of growing up. Additionally, Joana's reflections on experience and other topics showcase the creative flow and the mental connections we make between subjects. This approach, in particular, allows Lispector to address and connect with themes such as music composition.
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir, Translated by Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier
The Second Sex is, naturally, one of the most renowned feminist texts of the 20th century.
Focused on the concept of what being a woman might mean, in all its entirety, the critical text shows how often this goes hand in hand with subjugation and submission to none other than the other sex. This idea resonates with the modern world, where all the exploitation of power by men (an X societal circle) aim to suppress the opposite sex (Y). This does not fall far from the injustice engulfing other sectors of the societies, such as war-making, illegally occupying lands and condoning racist and homophobic actions.
The text aims for women to begin reacting towards discriminatory acts, along with hope for a tomorrow made with equality in mind.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, Translated by Jamie Chang
The story begins with Kim Jiyoung’s husband seeking psychiatric help for her due to her starting to impersonate voices of other women. As we dive deeper into her psychosis, we witness the various forms of discrimination she has faced all her life.
Since Jiyoung was a young girl, she was made to realise she lives in a patriarchal world. She was treated differently than her younger brother, was told it was her fault for being harassed by men, passed over for promotions in favour of unqualified male colleagues, and was expected to quit her career when she got pregnant.
This unsettling novel captures the everyday realities faced by women all over the world. The straightforward writing adds to the portrayal of systemic sexism in modern society, powerfully telling the discrimination and gender inequality that shape the lives of women everywhere.
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