,

World literature written by women, translated into English.

NOTE: this list is about women writters and their books written in other languages but translated into English. Please don't add books written by men, even if they are about women.
1

by
4.05 avg rating — 474,717 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2

by
4.30 avg rating — 322,876 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
3

by
4.40 avg rating — 206,712 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
4

by
4.20 avg rating — 4,213,972 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
5

by
3.65 avg rating — 393,147 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
6

by
3.95 avg rating — 396,498 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
7

by
4.46 avg rating — 240,829 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
8

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 56,753 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9

by
3.70 avg rating — 74,136 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
10

by
3.86 avg rating — 78,317 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
11

by
3.81 avg rating — 200,954 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
12

by
4.10 avg rating — 36,584 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
13

by
4.40 avg rating — 65,192 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
14

by
4.31 avg rating — 14,660 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
15

by
3.62 avg rating — 16,590 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
16

by
4.15 avg rating — 209,845 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
17

by
3.89 avg rating — 130,711 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
18

by
4.36 avg rating — 198,887 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
19

by
4.46 avg rating — 183,136 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
20

by
4.21 avg rating — 36,341 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
21

by
3.72 avg rating — 14,859 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
22

by
3.81 avg rating — 25,827 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
23

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 12,482 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
24

by
4.27 avg rating — 77,394 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
25

by
3.94 avg rating — 48,752 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
26

by
4.23 avg rating — 30,970 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
27

by
3.74 avg rating — 74,190 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
28

by
4.04 avg rating — 211,862 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
29

by
4.02 avg rating — 10,159 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
30

by
4.11 avg rating — 56,693 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
31

by
3.67 avg rating — 379,020 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
32

by
3.92 avg rating — 21,017 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
33

by
4.05 avg rating — 98,664 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
34

by
4.01 avg rating — 59,585 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
35

by
3.72 avg rating — 53,193 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
36

by
3.81 avg rating — 5,543 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
37

by
3.94 avg rating — 159,525 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
38

by
3.23 avg rating — 4,374 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
39

by
4.19 avg rating — 6,470 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
40

by
3.94 avg rating — 4,618 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
40

by
4.43 avg rating — 21,894 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
42

by
4.42 avg rating — 7,547 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
43

by
3.84 avg rating — 40,985 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
44

by
4.01 avg rating — 30,475 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
45

by
4.32 avg rating — 36,453 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
46

by
4.01 avg rating — 35,935 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
47

by
4.40 avg rating — 43,803 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
48

by
3.63 avg rating — 6,733 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
49

by
3.81 avg rating — 7,823 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
50

by
3.80 avg rating — 1,949 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
51

by
3.87 avg rating — 6,961 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
52

by
4.05 avg rating — 1,147 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
53

by
3.88 avg rating — 29,058 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
54

by
4.20 avg rating — 408 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
55

by
4.27 avg rating — 18,058 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
56

by
3.88 avg rating — 3,862 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
57

by
3.45 avg rating — 7,776 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
58

by
3.57 avg rating — 11,605 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
59

by
3.72 avg rating — 1,280 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
60

by
3.86 avg rating — 59,509 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
61

by
3.75 avg rating — 38,231 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
62

by
3.83 avg rating — 17,249 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
63

by
3.54 avg rating — 398 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
64

by
3.63 avg rating — 2,869 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
64

by
4.12 avg rating — 19,578 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
66

by
4.18 avg rating — 47,622 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
67

by
4.06 avg rating — 8,647 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
68

by
4.36 avg rating — 29,105 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
69

by
3.68 avg rating — 53,124 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
70

by
3.24 avg rating — 1,327 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
71

by
3.96 avg rating — 3,419 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
72

by
4.21 avg rating — 1,381 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
73

by
4.10 avg rating — 2,716 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
74

by
3.77 avg rating — 3,629 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
75

by
4.33 avg rating — 5,414 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
76

by
3.70 avg rating — 141,881 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
77

by
3.28 avg rating — 21,151 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
78

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 37,388 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
79

by
4.26 avg rating — 23,457 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
80

by
3.68 avg rating — 4,061 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
81

by
3.95 avg rating — 141,102 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
82

by
3.89 avg rating — 9 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
83

by
3.42 avg rating — 427 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
84

by
4.16 avg rating — 190,645 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
85

by
3.89 avg rating — 1,417 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
86

by
3.72 avg rating — 17,245 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
87

by
3.86 avg rating — 1,382 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
88

by
4.12 avg rating — 18,946 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
89

by
3.80 avg rating — 636 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
90

by
3.67 avg rating — 6,399 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
91

by
4.12 avg rating — 1,146 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
92

by
4.17 avg rating — 11,477 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
93

by
3.67 avg rating — 9,602 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
94

by
3.32 avg rating — 3,133 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
95

by
4.34 avg rating — 1,117 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
96

by
4.12 avg rating — 24,527 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
96

by
4.21 avg rating — 7,605 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
98

by
3.98 avg rating — 23,401 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
99

by
3.75 avg rating — 45,993 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
100

by
3.75 avg rating — 4,142 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
931 books · 305 voters · list created July 23rd, 2015 by Marthine (votes) .
315 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Marthine 2396 books
156 friends
~☆~Autumn 8128 books
149 friends
Eliana 8644 books
0 friends
Elizabeth 178 books
6 friends
Lisa 7523 books
141 friends
Kamakana 6531 books
457 friends
Luke 6008 books
52 friends
Richard 5971 books
961 friends

More voters…


Comments Showing 1-28 of 28 (28 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Michelle (new)

Michelle I'm pretty sure Our Sister Killjoy was originally written in English.


message 2: by Marthine (new)

Marthine M. L. wrote: "I'm pretty sure Our Sister Killjoy was originally written in English."

Indeed, I think yr right! A user with goodreads librarian status can remove it for the list. I don't have that, unfortunately.


message 3: by Michelle (new)

Michelle I can remove it. I dug out a copy and there's no mention of a translator -- I just wasn't initially so sure. :)


message 4: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Aug 22, 2015 03:20AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) I've changed the GR profile of I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem, as the book was originally written in French, not in English. I originally removed the book, as the GR profile stated an English title as the original... Sorry :-(

Lovely list by the way. I've added heaps of books I own, all written by women, and although I've added English titles, in the 'Why you added this book' section I've added the language the book was originally written in.


message 5: by ``Laurie (new)

``Laurie Marthine wrote: "M. L. wrote: "I'm pretty sure Our Sister Killjoy was originally written in English."

Indeed, I think yr right! A user with goodreads librarian status can remove it for the list. I don't have that,..."


Love this list Marthine.


message 6: by Sanne (new)

Sanne Love this list! I've found so many new books to read here.

I see Americanah by Adichie is in the list as well, but Adichie only writes in English, right?


message 7: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Mar 11, 2016 03:15AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Sanne wrote: "I see Americanah by Adichie is in the list as well, but Adichie only writes in English, right?"

She was a Booker Prize nominee with Purple Hibiscus and as far as I know, Americanah was written in English as well, so it shouldn't be on this list.


message 8: by Luke (new)

Luke Is someone ever going to explain to me why calling nonfiction 'literature' is acceptable? All it does is deny realities for the sake of an audience's entertainment, especially when it comes to autobiography and memoirs.


message 9: by Maria Hill (new)

Maria Hill AKA MH Books Booklovinglady wrote: "Sanne wrote: "I see Americanah by Adichie is in the list as well, but Adichie only writes in English, right?"

She was a Booker Prize nominee with Purple Hibiscus an..."


Yes, English is the primary language of Nigeria - it says it in Americanah if you read it!


message 10: by Maria Hill (new)

Maria Hill AKA MH Books For goodness sake Room has been listed. Why would anyone think that was translated into English?


BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Maria wrote: "For goodness sake Room has been listed. Why would anyone think that was translated into English?"

I've removed Room, as you're absolutely right. I've also removed The God of Small Things as that too was originally written in English.


message 12: by Maria Hill (new)

Maria Hill AKA MH Books I really like Room though. It's on my list of best Irish Authors (though Emma lives in Canada now). Never picked up on a God of Small things .


message 13: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Oct 16, 2016 10:03AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Maria wrote: "I really like Room though. It's on my list of best Irish Authors (though Emma lives in Canada now). Never picked up on a God of Small things ."

I've read both. You really should try The God of Small Things, as it's marvellous, in my opinion (a friend of mine recommend it to me). It's completely different from Room though, so if you're looking for something similar you'll be disappointed.


message 14: by Maria Hill (new)

Maria Hill AKA MH Books Booklovinglady wrote: "Maria wrote: "I really like Room though. It's on my list of best Irish Authors (though Emma lives in Canada now). Never picked up on a God of Small things ."

I've read both. You really should try ..."


That's good to know. I have it in paperback ready to read amongst quite a few others (I buy them when they are on special in the bookshops). So I will get around to it someday soon I hope. As it happens I am currently reading Emma Donoghue's latest The Wonder . Too early to say if it's any good yet.


message 15: by Juniper (last edited May 21, 2018 09:49AM) (new)

Juniper i removed:

∙ rainbow rowell's Fangirl, as it was originally published in english.
The Story of Beautiful Girl, by rachel simon - also originally published in english.


message 16: by Rita (new)

Rita Gould Should Gilgamesh be here?


message 17: by Rita (new)

Rita Gould My Sister the Serial Killer is written in English.


Susanna - Censored by GoodReads Where on the list are they? (Makes removing them a lot easier.)


message 19: by Sanne (new)

Sanne My sister the serial killer is no 689
Gilgamesh is no. 734

In the Time of the Butterflies (no 407) is also originally in English

לא רחוק ממרכז העיר (no 421) has no English edition on Goodreads, so does it even qualify for this list?
Same for Saari : pienoisromaani (no 462)

Also: The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night with an anonymous author??? no. 462. same category as the Gilgamesh?


message 20: by Hannah (new)

Hannah My sister the serial killer 299 and pachinko 195 were originally written in English


BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Hannah wrote: "My sister the serial killer 299 and pachinko 195 were originally written in English"

I've removed both of them.


message 22: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Jan 06, 2021 09:55PM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Sanne wrote: "The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night with an anonymous author??? no. 462. same category as the Gilgamesh?..."

As far as I know, both Gilgamesh and Thousand and One Nights weren't written in English originally.


message 23: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (last edited Jan 08, 2021 08:23PM) (new)

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads Gilgamesh couldn't have been written in English; it's one of the oldest literary works in existence (c. 1800 BC).

ETA: Yes, the stories from The Arabian Nights were written in Arabic or Persian.


message 24: by Camelia Rose (new)

Camelia Rose I removed Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo, which was originally written in English. Xiaolu Guo is a bilingual writer. Her early works were indeed written in Chinese, but not Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth.


message 25: by Andrea (last edited Nov 28, 2022 02:24AM) (new)

Andrea A Man Called Ove was written by a man! (Currently #484 on the list)


message 26: by Camelia Rose (last edited Nov 28, 2022 09:02AM) (new)

Camelia Rose Removed Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, and Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. They were written by men.


message 27: by Doc. (new)

Doc. Please remove My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. It's by a man.


message 28: by Fiona (new)

Fiona 434: Before the Coffee Gets Cold was written by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and he is a man

Also Anna Karina is on the list and Leo Tolstoy is also a man


back to top



Related News

Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day, according to early...

Anyone can add books to this list.