This year I’ve out my hand up to “shadow”
the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize judges and independently assess the
independents. Unlike a couple of the “shadow panel” I am extremely unlikely to
get through fifteen novels in four or five weeks, given a few will possibly
take that long to land on the Australian shores. I will give my local library a
chance, however based on previous years I’m not holding out much hope.
A couple of other shadow judges have jumped
the gun and have put together their books they feel should be on the IFFP Long
List so I thought I’d do the same. My reading being a little less frenetic than
theirs so I only have a few I would like to highlight:
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.
My Struggle: Book 2 (A Man In Love) by Karl Over Knausguaard
(translated by Don Bartlett)
Following on from Karl Ove’s struggles with
his father’s death from alcoholism, we follow him to Stockholm where he falls
insanely in love with Linda. His struggles with love, family duties, writing,
friendship and more in his latest raw unsettling and honest instalment (number
2 of 6).
Set in a psychiatric ward
this is a novel written in broken thoughts, fragments of sentences, visions and
musings. But one that shows such complexity and a vivid understanding of
narrative style that you cannot help but be dragged along with the author’s
torment.
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. Also known as “Strange Weather in Tokyo”.
The Infatuations by Javier Mara (translated by Margaret Jull
Costa)
Spruiked far and wide to make the list, it is awaiting my return from
Alice Springs before I tackle it, however given the reviews I have seen it
looks certain to make the list.
Given the list will comprise of novels that have been entered by their
publishers I could be way off the mark with my thoughts, but I will return as
soon as the list is announced and will make my way through as many as possible.
Keep your eyes on my blog here for updates on one of my favourite (if not THE
favourite) prizes of the year, the quality each year never ceases to amaze me.
To see Tony’s Reading List predictions go
here http://tonysreadinglist.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/iffp-2014-longlist-predictions.html
or Winston’s Dad’s https://winstonsdad.wordpress.com/
2 comments:
I, too, find it unlikely to be able to read 15 books in 5 weeks. Still, I love to at least observe from the edges, participating however I can.
Last year I only read one book, from the short list, and it makes me laugh because that was the book that won. What an irony. :)
I have read The Briefcase from your list of predictions, but that is all.
It'll be interesting to see if any of these make it on Saturday. Really not sure how 'All Dogs are Blue' will go - I thought it was OK, but I have the feeling that some people really loved it...
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