Review on the Speculative Fiction in Translation site
2/23/15
Manuscript Discoveries That Would Make Me Die From Joy
So you’ve heard the news about the publication of Harper Lee’s second novel,
and you’re licking your lips in anticipation of some new J. D. Salinger
books due out over the next few years. But what about manuscripts that
no one even knew about, and that were rediscovered years or decades
later? I’m thinking of the relatively recent discoveries of Irène
Némirovsky’s Suite Francaise and Pearl S. Buck’s The Eternal Wonder.Well, I was talking about the Harper Lee news with my mom the other day, and I freaked her out with the following pronouncement: If new Herman Melville, Thomas Mann, or Mark Twain manuscripts were discovered in my lifetime, the news would kill me. I’d die of joy-overload. Absolutely die. Gone. Bye bye. See ya later.
In Translation: February Fiction
Gird your reading loins, people, for an exciting month of
newly-released fiction in translation. We’ve got Italian
postcolonialism, Belgian memories of World War I, and East Germany
during the Cold War. Basically: history, history, history, packed into
beautiful fictional narratives. What more could you ask for?!
Queen of Flowers and Pearls by Gabriella Ghermandi, translated by Giovanna Bellesia-Contuzzi and Victoria Offredi Poletto (Indiana University Press, February 19)
Part of the Global African Voices series, Queen of Flowers and Pearls
explores issues of postcolonialism and exile in contemporary Italy,
focusing specifically on the history of Italy’s occupation of Ethiopia.
Ghermandi’s story of a young Ethiopian girl born with a special gift for
storytelling brings together the kaleidoscopically diverse stories that
have traveled from Africa to Europe.
Queen of Flowers and Pearls by Gabriella Ghermandi, translated by Giovanna Bellesia-Contuzzi and Victoria Offredi Poletto (Indiana University Press, February 19)Random Recommendation Guest Post: The Martian by Andy Weir
This recommendation comes from Kristina Pino. You can follow her on her blog GeekeryDo and on twitter @geekerydo.
The Martian (2014) by Andy Weir
"Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.
After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?"
After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?"
2/18/15
Books to Look For (February): History
Maskelyne: Astronomer Royal by Rebekah Higgett (Robert Hale, 208 pages, February 1)First of all, I love this cover. Second, I love anything to do with the history of astronomy, so clearly this book is right up my alley. Higgett explores the life and work of Nevil Maskelyne, an 18th-century astronomer and major figure in British science and maritime exploration. He designed experiments to measure the "weight" of the Earth, attempted to observe the transits of Venus, and worked on innovative marine timekeepers. Sounds like a guy I'd like to know more about.
Happy and Glorious: The Revolution of 1688 by Michael I. Wilson (The History Press, 192 pages, February 1)You've probably learned at least a little bit about the "Glorious Revolution" in school, but if you're interested in learning more, Wilson's got you covered. In Happy and Glorious, he takes us through the removal of James VII and the installation of Mary and William of Orange, leading to the form of government that Britain has to this day.
2/16/15
Random Recommendation Guest Post: The Yanks are Starving by Glen Craney
This recommendation comes from Joseph Spuckler. You can follow him on his Evil Cyclist's Blog, and on twitter @evil_cyclist.
The Yanks are Starving (2014) by Glen Craney
"During the Great Depression, the United States teeters on the brink of revolution. And as the summer of 1932 approaches, a charismatic hobo leads twenty thousand homeless World War I veterans into the nation's capital to demand their service compensation. Here is the epic story of political intrigue and betrayal that culminated in the only armed clash between two American armies under the same flag."
The Yanks are Starving (2014) by Glen Craney"During the Great Depression, the United States teeters on the brink of revolution. And as the summer of 1932 approaches, a charismatic hobo leads twenty thousand homeless World War I veterans into the nation's capital to demand their service compensation. Here is the epic story of political intrigue and betrayal that culminated in the only armed clash between two American armies under the same flag."
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