Top Translated Fiction – Review Roundup

Mammoth by Eva Baltasar, translated by Julia Sanches (And Other Stories, £12.99)
Eva Baltasar’s third installment in her loose triptych on modern womanhood is titled “Mammoth.” Following the acclaim of the second book, “Boulder,” which made it to the International Booker prize shortlist last year, Mammoth promises an intriguing narrative. The story follows a young lesbian living in Barcelona who, desiring pregnancy, throws a unique “fertilisation party.” Torn about the process, she considers using a swimming instructor’s “broad-shouldered sperms.” As she grapples with her ambivalence, she retreats to an isolated farmhouse. Her new companions include a self-inviting dog and a neighboring shepherd. Through her interactions with nature and reflections on life, love, and desire, the story builds to a gripping conclusion. It’s a book with a distinct and strong flavor.

Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes, translated by Frank Wynne (MacLehose, £18.99)
Virginie Despentes presents “Dear Dickhead,” a novel packed with provocative narratives. The main character, Oscar, is a middle-aged writer in France entangled in emails with actor Rebecca. Their correspondence, filled with sparring monologues, becomes the essence of the book. Oscar faces accusations of inappropriate conduct by a young woman with a significant Instagram following but remains unrepentant. He even goes as far as dismissing the MeToo movement as “revenge of the sluts.” What starts as entertaining rants evolves into a nuanced story about gender and generational conflicts. Despite his flaws, Oscar’s daughter confronts him, noting that he’s “a lot less of a dickhead than before.”

The Book of Disappearance by Ibtisam Azem, translated by Sinan Antoon (And Other Stories, £14.99)
Ibtisam Azem’s second novel, “The Book of Disappearance,” brings forward an imaginative and bold concept. One day, all Palestinians in Israel vanish—absent from work, prisons, and even the West Bank and Gaza. As rumors swirl, the media speculates everything from a general strike to a sinister trap. The narrative alternates between Israeli Ariel and Palestinian Alaa, whose reflections Ariel reads through Alaa’s notebook after his mysterious disappearance. The notebook reveals Alaa’s deep emotional ties to Jaffa and his reflections on the past. Through a compelling storyline, Azem explores whether places hold memories, offering readers a rich, thought-provoking experience.

Dead-End Memories by Banana Yoshimoto, translated by Asa Yoneda (Faber, £12.99)
Banana Yoshimoto, a prominent name in contemporary Japanese fiction, presents her collection “Dead-End Memories.” Japanese fiction accounts for a significant portion of translated fiction in the UK, and Yoshimoto’s work has been a part of that wave for over three decades. This book features three novellas and two short stories, embodying familiar themes such as loneliness, alienation, and surrealism, all delivered with a light touch. In one tale, a woman questions why her male friend, whose family makes delicious cake rolls, won’t join their bakery business. Their bond grows, leading to an encounter with ghosts that live with him. Another story portrays a woman poisoned by cafeteria curry, unraveling her old psychological wounds. Yoshimoto’s casual tone delivers deep emotional richness, showcasing her exceptional storytelling skills.

Source: Various