Edita Kaye discusses 3 books worth reading that are perfectly translated.

1. 10/25/21, 12:27 PM 3 Perfectly Translated Books to Read – Edita Kaye
https://editakaye.net/3-perfectly-translated-books-to-read/ 1/3
The role of a translator is a vital yet often overlooked component of readers being
able to enjoy literary works written in foreign languages. An essential role of a
good translator is to capture the ideas and emotions of the original work while
retaining – as much as possible – the nuances and complexities of the original
language used by the author.
Because of this, it’s not only important to choose a well-written book by a skilled
author, but also one that’s received a good translation that keeps alive the spirit
of the original. With this in mind, here are three recommendations for
impeccably translated works that translated not only words but also emotions
and intent from the original.
3 PERFECTLY TRANSLATED
BOOKS TO READ
Edita Kaye Writers October 25, 2021 Leave a comment
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2. 10/25/21, 12:27 PM 3 Perfectly Translated Books to Read – Edita Kaye
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The Luminous Novel
The Luminous Novel by Mario Levrero, translated by Annie McDermott, is a
chronicle of the struggles of a novelist. The story, seemingly heavily inspired by
Levrero’s own struggles with writing a complete novel, revolves around an
eponymous character that’s been given a monetary grant, with the assignment
that a finished novel will be the result. Unfortunately, the main character runs
into a series of pitfalls and problems that result in the novel – that the book
finishes with – being only a partially completed attempt at the full-length work
that was commissioned. It’s a quixotic, at times lighthearted look at an artist at
work.
Kaya Days
Kaya Days by Carl de Souza, translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman, is a story
interwoven with real-life events. The story’s protagonist, Santee, has to find her
way around a bustling Mauritian city as she searches for her lost brother, Ram.
Her journey is set against the turbulent backdrop of protests that followed the
death of the musician Kaya, who died in police custody while on charges of
marijuana use. This story is all about growth, and how a young, naïve adolescent
finds a path through the bustling, often treacherous milieu around them and
finds confidence and purpose.
Life Sciences
Life Sciences by Joy Sorman, translated by Lara Vergnaud, is about a teenage
protagonist who seeks health and hope within the concrete jungle that is modern
Paris. Suffering from strange skin diseases, Nina finds herself working her way
through a long series of doctors, medical professionals, and even shamans as she
seeks a cure. Brought up in a family with a long and celebrated history of mental
and physical maladies, Nina desires solace and a cure but instead must face up to
her loneliness and chronic dilemmas inherent in the medical system.

3. 10/25/21, 12:27 PM 3 Perfectly Translated Books to Read – Edita Kaye
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