Hello,
It’s Women in Translation Month! Over the last few years I’ve increased the amount of translated fiction I read (and some nonfiction) and it’s made a significant positive impact on my reading life. Yesterday, I decided to peruse my Storygraph and see how many books by women in translation I’ve read. This was a much easier task thanks to my past self adding a “translated” tag to my books three years ago.
I have to say, I’ve read some excellent translated fiction. Many of the books I’m sharing today I gave five stars to, so yes, I truly loved them. More importantly, however, they’ve introduced me to new voices, places and storytelling styles I might’ve missed had I not actively been looking to add more translated works into my reading life.
I also noticed something else. Many of the translated novels I’ve loved explore the same themes I love in my general reading—family, memory, complicated relationships, love, longing, identity and the ways our lives are shaped by the past.
I thought it would be fun to take a reading journey around the world, so here are the books by women in translation I’ve read so far, organized by country.
Just a Little Dinner by Cécile Tlili (Translated by Katherine Gregor) - Read my full review HERE
Live Fast by Brigitte Giraud (Translated by Cory Stockwell) - An under the radar gem! I listened to this short autobiographical book (176 pages) that was structured as a countdown that follows “one woman’s quest to comprehend the motorcycle accident that took the life of her partner Claude at age 41.” In examining the “maddening twists of fate” that might have led to a different outcome, the author created a riveting, can’t look away story in which I found myself thinking maybe he really didn’t die all the while knowing that wasn’t true. This is a beautiful depiction of fate, of the what ifs, and what might have been. At its heart it’s a memorable love story. Audio is great!
Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan (Translated by Heather Lloyd) - Read my full thoughts HERE
My Husband by Maud Ventura (Translated by Emma Ramadan) Unhinged, wacky, yet darkly funny is how I would describe this story about an unnamed narrator who’s so obsessed with her husband because she loves him so much- or does she? I was annoyed with how many times I had to listen to the words “my husband” but once I tuned that out I found this very entertaining - and surprising. The audio is great!
I know I’ll be reading even more books by French women writers because I loved the ones above. These French translations have similar threads running through them including: complicated marriage, interiority, compelling relationship dynamics, and each left me with plenty to think about after I finished.
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende (Translated by Nick Caistor) Audio review HERE
The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende (Translated by Joanna Gleason) Audio review HERE
In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende (Translated by Dennis Boutsikaris) - A sweeping novel that journeys from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil. This story had three characters I was immediately intrigued and invested in and was a perfect blend of historical and literary fiction with a touch of romance. The audio narration was great too.
A Long Petal of the Sea and The Japanese Lover are both five-star reads for me and In the Midst of Winter was 4.5 so I have my eye on more of her books. She’s one of the authors I’m going to seek out when I want a sweeping story that combines history with compelling characters I truly care about.
The Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes (Translated by Ann Goldstein) - The audiobook, narrated by Cassandra Campbell is great! This is another under the radar gem! If you enjoy feminist stories and/or stories examining class, socioeconomic status, mothers and daughters, marriage, and aging give this a try.
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante (Translated by Ann Goldstein) - This was a bit weird but compelling. I’m still not sure what to make of Leda.
Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri - Fun fact about Whereabouts - Lahiri, whose first language is English, wrote the novel in Italian and later translated it into English herself. Very evocative writing!
The Details by Ia Genberg (Translated by Kira Josefsso) - Audio review HERE. This book was a top ten audiobook of the year for me last year . An understated gem!
Confessions by Kanae Minato (Translated by Stephen Snyder) - Do you love a good revenge story? I sure do and this gritty, compelling, can’t look away story takes one mother’s desire for revenge down a very dark and diabolical path- and I got to be along for the twisty ride. The less you know about this one, the more surprised you’ll be. This story can best be described as jaw dropping!
Just the kind of translated crime novel I’d happily read more of….recommendations accepted:)
Brandy Sour by Constantia Soteriou (Translated by Lina Protopapa) - I just finished this yesterday and found the interconnected stories of everyday people associated with the Big Hotel to be quietly impactful. The author creatively incorporated different drinks as a thread to tie the stories together. One of my favorite quotes came in the Lavender Tea chapter and was from Mr Benzion who was haunted by his mother, her lavender, his Zurich, their Germany, the cold….”He thinks about all this all the time as he walks in the morning, or rather he walks all the time so he might forget all of this.” Beautiful! Thanks to Sara Hildreth for this rec which was part of her 2025 Paperback Summer Reading Guide.
I’ve had a running list of translated books on my tbr so I decided to narrow them down to the ten I'm most excited about.
I’ve put these in order from the titles I predict I’ll really love to those I’m intrigued by but are more wildcard picks.
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin | France
Violette Toussaint's life follows a gentle, predictable rhythm. As caretaker of a cemetery in rural Burgundy, she spends her days cycling the grounds, tending her gardens, and listening to the intimate, sometimes humorous confidences of mourners and visitors alike. Until Julien Sole, the local police chief, arrives with an unusual request that will change her life forever
The Time in Between by María Dueñas | Spain
The inspiring story of a seemingly ordinary woman who uses her talent and courage to transform herself first into a prestigious couturier and then into an undercover agent for the Allies during World War II
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende | Chile
A passionate tale of one young woman's epic journey to save her lover, set against the chaos, greed, and promise of the 1849 California Gold Rush
The Remembered Soldier by Anjet Daanje | Netherlands
An extraordinary love story and a captivating novel about the power of memory and imagination: Flanders 1922. After serving as a soldier in the Great War, Noon Merckem has lost his memory and lives in a psychiatric asylum. Countless women, responding to a newspaper ad, visit him there in the hope of finding their spouse who vanished in battle. One day a woman, Julienne, appears and recognizes Noon as her husband, the photographer Amand Coppens, and takes him home against medical advice
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante | Italy
This story spans almost sixty years, as its main characters, the fiery and unforgettable Lila and the bookish narrator, Elena, become women, wives, mothers, and leaders, all the while maintaining a complex and at times conflicted friendship.
Tata by Valérie Perrin | France
When Agnes hears from the local police her Aunt Colette has died, she can’t believe her ears. Her father’s sister Colette, her Tata, died three years ago and has been resting in peace in the cemetery of Gueugnon. Agnes is called to identify the body: there is no doubt, it’s Aunt Colette. But then, who rests under the stone engraved with Colette’s name?
The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia | Mexico
This is about a mysterious child with the power to change a family's history in a country on the verge of revolution.
Painting Time by Maylis de Kerangal | France - A wildcard pick, but it’s French so we’ll see
An aesthetic and existential coming-of-age novel exploring the apprenticeship of a young female painter.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson | Finland
This brief novel tells the story of Sophia, a six-year-old girl awakening to existence, and Sophia’s grandmother, nearing the end of hers, as they spend the summer on a tiny unspoiled island in the Gulf of Finland
Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck | German
The story of a romance begun in East Berlin at the end of the 1980s: the passionate yet difficult long-running affair of Katharina and Hans hits the rocks as a whole world--the socialist GDR--melts away.
Both the books in translation I’ve read and the one’s I’m excited to read have universal themes I tend to love exploring in my reading— love, grief, marriage, friendship, family, obsession, longing, and regret to name a few. Although the cultures, locations and languages may be different, the themes are often similar.
I’m excited to continue reading around the world!
If you’d like even more recommendations, check out Martha Monthly’s recent post, as well as Books On Gif
I’d love to hear from you….
What book(s) by a woman in translation have you loved and what’s still on your tbr?
Which of the books on my tbr should I read first?
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