A Winter's Literary Journey: From Arctic Nomads to Berlin's Shadows
Delve into a captivating selection of recent translated fiction, offering readers a global literary escape perfect for the colder months. This roundup highlights four standout novels that traverse cultures and eras, from the frozen tundra of Russia to the bustling streets of 1920s Berlin.
White Moss by Anna Nerkagi
Translated by Irina Sadovina and published by Pushkin Press at £12.99, White Moss immerses readers in the lives of the nomadic Nenets people in the Russian Arctic. The story centres on Alyoshka, whose mother urges him to find a wife, leading to a marriage he cannot consummate due to lingering love for a girl who moved to the city. Through vivid vignettes, the novel explores themes of community and resilience, from Petko and Vanu discussing ageing to a newcomer sharing a harrowing tale of alcohol addiction. Soviet representatives come and go, failing to integrate into this tight-knit society where bonds between people provide warmth and stability. This poignant narrative serves as a heartening winter tale, celebrating human connection in harsh environments.
The Old Fire by Elisa Shua Dusapin
Translated by Aneesa Abbas Higgins and available from Daunt Books for £14.99, The Old Fire follows Agathe, a 30-year-old French woman in New York, who returns to her family home in the Dordogne after her father's death. Estranged from her sister Véra, who communicates only by text due to a childhood trauma, Agathe navigates a world of silence and absence. The sparse prose mirrors the desolate village and unresponsive husband, as Agathe attempts to declutter her past. This novel masterfully balances revelation with mystery, uncovering the family's fractured history while leaving enough unsaid to tantalise readers, making it a deeply satisfying exploration of grief and memory.
The Roof Beneath Their Feet by Geetanjali Shree
Translated by Rahul Soni and published by And Other Stories at £14.99, this novel unfolds in an Indian neighbourhood where interconnected roofs serve as a communal space for living and hiding. Narrated by Bitva, who mourns Chachcho, a maternal figure, the story delves into complex relationships, including tensions with Chachcho's friend Lalna. Through rich character backstories—from a wealthy Hong Kong uncle to sexist rumours—the narrative shifts to Lalna's perspective, revealing hidden truths. Although the fluid structure can be challenging, echoing Lalna's fragmented memories, the book brims with the same exuberance and inventiveness as Shree's International Booker-winning work, offering a vibrant, smaller-scale tale.
Berlin Shuffle by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz
Translated by Philip Boehm and released by Pushkin Press for £18.99, Berlin Shuffle is the debut novel from Boschwitz, written before his death in 1942. This cynical, humorous account of 1920s Berlin portrays down-and-out characters "caught under the wheels of life." From greengrocer Schreiber housing tramps like food-obsessed Tönnchen to Grissmann, displaced by mechanisation, and petty criminal Wilhelm turning pimp, the novel captures the era's grim realities with lively prose. Rougher than Boschwitz's later work The Passenger, it concludes with an explosive finale, making it a compelling read for fans of historical fiction and social commentary.
These translated works offer diverse perspectives and storytelling styles, enriching the literary landscape with their unique voices and cultural insights.
