It’s apparently that time of the year when you make lists.
Lists for presents you want, lists of potential New Year’s resolutions – future
planning lists, hoping for an improved situation in 2014. Or lists that look at
the highlights of the last twelve months, favourite places you visited,
favourite books – reflection lists, ones where we learn through backward
facing, contemplating what has already gone and how it impacted us. The list
itself doesn’t live in the present moment, otherwise it would be blank.
On the weekend I read The Weekend Australian’s feature in
the Arts section of the best reads of 2013, an article where they approached
critics, writers and other “influential” people who then gave us their best
books of the year. I was stunned to see only one mention of Eleanor Catton’s Man
Booker Prize winning “The Luminaries”, one of the masterpieces of the year and
only recognised by one contributor, whereas Hilary Mantel came up yet again…yawn.
Another stunning observation was that besides Clive James’ translation of Dante’s
“The Divine Comedy”, there was hardly a translated work mentioned. Very insular
of the experts and our National newspaper.
My year highlights included numerous works in translation, I
reviewed 32 books on this blog of which 17 were translated and I must say my
favourite list of the year was the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize all the
works I did read from that list being quality novels, pity I couldn’t say the
same for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award or even the Man Booker Prize.
I’d cause quite a bit of debate by putting up my favourite
of the year so I won’t be so bold but will put up my favourite 10 books of the
year, only three of which were written in English (note – I haven’t included
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton as I didn’t review it on my blog – maybe one
day), For the full reviews click the headings they'll lead you to the review :
A novel about the fragility of life with numerous references
to Emily Dickinson with complex undertows, references and themes. Winner of the
Independent Foreign Fiction Prize from a very strong list.
A moving love story told in two voices by nameless
characters. With alternating chapters in different font the character’s musings
on art, publishing, suicide, loneliness, depression, drug abuse, family
relationships and ultimately love are a reflection on living in
post-independence Croatia.
Set in a dystopian future using invented slang we have a
bunch of anti-heroes entering a feud. A challenging and dark work where
everything is beyond redemption. A worthy IMPAC Dublin Literary Award winner.
A novel about the death of the Gutenberg ege, the death of print,
the rise of the digital era. Here we have a tale of Riba a failed publisher and
reformed alcoholic who plans to travel to Dublin for Bloomsday with three
writers. Another example of the amazing depth of talent in the translated
world.
The Prix Goncourt de Premier Roman Winner in 2010 this novel
has made the long list for the 2013 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. A novel about
our novelist struggling with writing true historical fiction. Essentially his
tale but also the story of two Czechoslovakian parachutists sent from London on
a secret mission to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich. How can somebody truly write
an historical novel – read this to find out the dilemma?
A sparse and deeply emotional tale of loneliness, emptiness
and love. A very moving and tragic tale told in opposites when Tsukiko comes
across her former high school teacher (or Sensei). Shortlisted for the Man Asian
Prize which shows you can write an empty novel.
Set in Malaya in the mountains our narrator Yun Ling Teoh
returns to the gardens of the evening mists to relive her story of being
apprenticed to the former gardener of the Emperor of Japan. An historical novel
which is contemplative and styled as a Japanese Garden. Winner of numerous
awards including the Man Asia Literary Award. A slow contemplative read, let it
sink in.
The everyday chore of existence put into 430 pages. Karl Ove
struggles with his father’s death from alcoholism, with his relationships with
his own past and his writing. A bold revelation of a man’s soul that stretches
to six books – buy and read the first and you’ll be hooked.
From Argentina a novel that has our protagonist telling the
tale of his father’s four kilometre long canvas that stretches over the 60
years of his life – bar one missing year!!! The tale unfolds through the artwork
as well as being a story of self discovery. Another translated work that delved
into my consciousness.
A Zen Buddhist novel? Ruth finds a lunchbox washed up on the
shore that contains the dairy of a teenage Japanese girl, the letters of a
Kamikaze pilot, more Japanese writings and an antique watch. An engrossing
tale, a mythical balance between a number of eras, cultures and styles.
Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and stiff to be published in the same year
as The Luminaries.
4 comments:
The Detour was in my top ten list, too, which I just posted last night. Can't wait to read The Luminaries and A Tale For the Time Being. Oh, loved The Briefcase, too, although it didn't make my top ten because it seemed rather pointless. Though lovely. Maybe that's the point?
Great to see you put up a list for this year. I noticed there were no Pulitzer Prize shortlisted novels, did you buy any of the books from that list? I would put both the winner (The Orphan Master's Son) and one of the shortlisted novels (What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank)in my top ten for the year. I thoroughly enjoyed them.
I want to see you cause some controversy next year and give us a 10 to 1 list!
Thanks Denis, I read the first 250 pages of The Orphan Master's Son and couldn't get into it, I will give it another try. What we talk about...is on the shelf (you may spot it in the photo) unread at this stage. For some reason the Pulitzer has not been my thing. Thanks for checking by and commenting I may put them in order next year if I could separate them. Bellezza I'm sure you'll like Ozeki and the slowness of the briefcase is what I liked about it, a touch of zen living in the moment.
Yes, the slow aspect is one of the many beautiful qualities of Japanese literature.
So unAmerican which is always rush, rush, rush.
Post a Comment