Thanks so much Ann for highlighting the inspiring and vital role of indies and translation. The university presses have also long supported translation- fiction and nonfiction and poetry- as part of our mission to engage globally. Grateful to be standing up with Independents in this enthusiastic commitment. Also want to shout out to Seagull books for their vital translation work and history.
So true! Yale’s Margellos series is a real stand-out; interesting that it is funded by a single donor. I wonder how much individual philanthropy contributes to smaller publishing. I remember that the philanthropist Drue Heinz, who was a part of the circle that founded the Paris Review in Paris int he 50s, was a significant supporter of international writing. I did read a sad quote while I was preparing this Notebook about how Northwestern, which used to have a major series of Eastern European writing, had to stop because it wasn’t supported by sales. And Seagull is incredible—their list is a real lesson in what gets left out over here—but I didn’t think of bringing them in because they are based in India and not so much a part of our publishing economy, probably why they are so good!
Absolutely Ann, the philanthropy has been vital to translation. Princeton has the Lockert poetry in translation that includes now 58 books supported, and Harvard has the Murty classical Library of India. Hoping always that there will continue to be those who support such initiatives. Thanks again for giving a platform to this topic!
Ann, I second Christie's comment below: thanks for paying attention to literature in translation and the presses that help support so much of it. NYRB has done yeoman's work in this area, and I'm a huge fan of Archipelago (as I think I have written in these comments below!). Am currently reading their latest release by Scholastique Mukasonga, *Sister Deborah*. (Mukasonga is a real find.) I came to literature in translation through a variety of twists and turns but have found it wonderfully enriching. I can't help thinking that a large amount of translated literature will always be a labor of love by scholars and others. But we can encourage growth in this area by consciously redirecting a portion of our book-buying dollars toward the kinds of presses you name. When I go into a bookstore that has a section of literature in translation, I always head there first.
How great to hear! I think it’s interesting that you're a reader who seeks out new ways to find out about books and writers. This kind of awareness doesn’t come to our door the way it used to.
Thank you for casting this light on "the near side of ruin" where there is so much to read, thinking also of the cost of war on bookstores, universities, libraries, bookcases . . .
That connection to 9/11 was new to me. It made me think about the give-and-take between these forces (literally) outside literature and how people read and experience the larger world.
Thanks so much Ann for highlighting the inspiring and vital role of indies and translation. The university presses have also long supported translation- fiction and nonfiction and poetry- as part of our mission to engage globally. Grateful to be standing up with Independents in this enthusiastic commitment. Also want to shout out to Seagull books for their vital translation work and history.
So true! Yale’s Margellos series is a real stand-out; interesting that it is funded by a single donor. I wonder how much individual philanthropy contributes to smaller publishing. I remember that the philanthropist Drue Heinz, who was a part of the circle that founded the Paris Review in Paris int he 50s, was a significant supporter of international writing. I did read a sad quote while I was preparing this Notebook about how Northwestern, which used to have a major series of Eastern European writing, had to stop because it wasn’t supported by sales. And Seagull is incredible—their list is a real lesson in what gets left out over here—but I didn’t think of bringing them in because they are based in India and not so much a part of our publishing economy, probably why they are so good!
Absolutely Ann, the philanthropy has been vital to translation. Princeton has the Lockert poetry in translation that includes now 58 books supported, and Harvard has the Murty classical Library of India. Hoping always that there will continue to be those who support such initiatives. Thanks again for giving a platform to this topic!
I’ve actually been on a Scandi noir tear, planning to pitch you a Notebook entry about it.
I got an inkling of that somewhere. Sounds great!
Ann, I second Christie's comment below: thanks for paying attention to literature in translation and the presses that help support so much of it. NYRB has done yeoman's work in this area, and I'm a huge fan of Archipelago (as I think I have written in these comments below!). Am currently reading their latest release by Scholastique Mukasonga, *Sister Deborah*. (Mukasonga is a real find.) I came to literature in translation through a variety of twists and turns but have found it wonderfully enriching. I can't help thinking that a large amount of translated literature will always be a labor of love by scholars and others. But we can encourage growth in this area by consciously redirecting a portion of our book-buying dollars toward the kinds of presses you name. When I go into a bookstore that has a section of literature in translation, I always head there first.
How great to hear! I think it’s interesting that you're a reader who seeks out new ways to find out about books and writers. This kind of awareness doesn’t come to our door the way it used to.
Thank you for casting this light on "the near side of ruin" where there is so much to read, thinking also of the cost of war on bookstores, universities, libraries, bookcases . . .
That connection to 9/11 was new to me. It made me think about the give-and-take between these forces (literally) outside literature and how people read and experience the larger world.