15 translated novels to celebrate International Mother Language Day
Megan McKeough
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Originally published in Korean, Kang’s lyrical thriller captures a woman’s struggle to take back her power and freedom after a lifestyle decision goes over poorly with her loved ones. Celebrated globally for its thought-provoking commentary and imaginative interpretations of power, The Vegetarian is a unique glimpse into how changes in our own lives can impact those around us.Butter by Asako Yuzuki
Set in Tokyo and originally published in Japanese, Butter follows a journalist eager to get the exclusive story behind gourmet chef and alleged serial killer, Manako Kajii, who was convicted of luring men to their deaths with her cooking. A mouth-watering mix of thriller and food writing, Rika grapples with her own relationship with food as she gets closer to the enigmatic chef.Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
Set in a remote Polish village, Tokarczuk's masterful blend of mystery and fairytale follows Janina—a crank and a recluse with a preference for animals over humans. When her neighbor Big Foot turns up dead, she decides to take on the case. Originally published in Polish, this hilarious whodunit explores the line between sanity and madness.Black Moses by Alain Mabanckou
Set in Congo-Brazzaville in the 1970s, Mabanckou’s “Oliver Twist of the 1970s” follows young Moses and a pair of twins who run away from their corrupt orphanage to the bustling town of Pointe-Noire, where they survive on petty thefts. Highlighting the politically repressive environment of French Congo in the 70s and 80s, Black Moses is a humorous and poignant coming-of-age tale, originally published in French.Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi
Alharthi’s illuminating novel follows three sisters coming of age and navigating love in the ever-changing village of al-Awafi in Oman. Originally published in Arabic, Alharthi highlights Oman’s rich and complex history from a slave-owning society to the present day, through the lens of a family whose world is rapidly changing.The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar
Set in Iran during the decade following the Islamic Revolution, Azar’s family saga is narrated by the ghost of a thirteen-year-old girl who flees Tehran for a safer life in a smaller village. Despite their efforts to run, political chaos ensues, leading to unimaginable loss. Told through the innocent eyes of a child, this stirring novel explores the healing powers of imagination and storytelling in the face of darkness and trauma.Love in the New Millennium by Can Xue and Eileen Myles
Xue is widely considered one of the most important novelists in China today. Her dark and witty satire follows a group of women living in a constant state of surveillance. With informants everywhere, some try to flee physically or psychologically. Xue’s unique experimental novel uses bizarre and otherworldly scenarios to highlight the many facets of love and the human emotion.The Doll by Ismail Kadare
Renowned Albanian poet and novelist Kadare, recalls a childhood ruled by caution, coldness, and changing politics. His fascinating autobiography highlights his complex relationship with his mother, who feels increasingly threatened by Kadare’s ambition and lives in the shadows of her son’s pursuit of knowledge and creativity.Man Tiger by Eka Kurniawan
Set in a small town in Indonesia, Kurniawan’s lyrical and experimental novel follows two feuding families and a young man who harbors a supernatural female white tiger within himself, leading him to carry out a consequential act of violence. Combining social commentary with magical realism, Man Tiger explores poverty, family dysfunction, and Indonesian politics through a unique and powerful tale.Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin
Argentine literary sensation Schweblin eerily explores the dark side of living in an increasingly interconnected world. In an unnerving dystopian reality, there’s a viral trend where people can buy and inhabit pet-like robot cameras called “kentukis” to monitor their owners' private lives from across the globe.The Cheffe by Marie N'Diaye
Award-winning French writer N’Diaye captures the trials and triumphs of a young woman with an unrelenting pursuit of culinary greatness. Born into poverty, the Cheffe begins cooking for a wealthy family as a teenager, keeping her life's details hidden and distancing herself from loved ones. Told from the perspective of her unrequited lover, Cheffe is a fascinating glimpse into the lengths one would go to for success.The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
Award-winning Japanese novelist, Ogawa, brings readers a haunting tale of state surveillance. Taking place on an island off of an unnamed coast, most of the island’s inhabitants have forgotten, while those with the power to recall their past are hunted down by the Memory Police. and those who have the power to recall the past are hunted down by the Memory Police. Amid fear and chaos, a young writer tries to preserve the past through her pen in an eerie and provocative exploration of memory, trauma, and loss.Fox by Dubravka Ugresic
Taking readers from Russia to Japan to the United States, Fox is an ode to life’s unnoticed people and minor characters. Spanning from the 1920s to the present day, Croatian author Ugresic explores the power of storytelling, literary invention, and fate through her affecting and poignant writing.My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Ferrante’s award-winning novel is a rich coming-of-age story exploring female friendship through the ups and downs of life. Set in the slums of Naples, Italy, in the 1950s, My Brilliant Friend details the rollercoaster ride of a relationship between reserved and bookish Elena and brilliant, and fiery Lila, as they navigate an upbringing in a poor and violent neighborhood and dream of escaping the cycle of poverty.A Horse Walks into a Bar by David Grossman
Grossman’s award-winning fiction follows a comedian taking the stage for his final show in Israel, slowly unveiling the course of his life from the stage. As a deeper narrative unfolds, the attendants (and readers) begin to reevaluate life in a witty and beautiful exploration of art and resilience in the face of trauma. ++Want to add some audiobooks or ebooks to your reading life? Sign up for a free 30-day trial to Everand, a digital subscription that gives you instant access to millions of bestselling ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more. Start reading on the web, iOS, Android, and even offline.
Megan McKeough