The Mookse and the Gripes discussion

Any thoughts on next year?

Listopia predictions here:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

In the keeping the same judging panel for next year idea I am less keen than others. The Nobel Prize committee seems to me a clear counter example given their sometimes very strange choices and very dubious behaviour.

I think we all know as a group we have, even with our considerable diversity, still a fairly narrow view of what constitutes high quality fiction. This year the IB matched that definition and the WP decidedly did not. But for other readers say the WP long list this year is fantastic.

Keeping the same judges makes a prize potentially increasingly niche and being honest reading translated literary fiction in the. UK (other than some big names which the IB tends to overlook) is already a niche of a niche of a niche and needs if anything denicheing (if that is a thing?). I do think the judges could eg do more to throw in some books which would hook more readers to try more experimental stuff they would not normally read (the WP in its better years does this)

I have a feeling (and sure I saw a hint of that in an interview) what the judges did this year was to try not to aim for their own closed off view but keep an eye on publishers and authors and translators they knew plus look at the views of other respected prizes around the world, bloggers, MSM reviewers etc as a side check on and added input into their process. Even if not conscious the fact some of the judges were part of the translated literary fiction reading community and actively participated while judging had this impact.

I think the main Booker did some of that at the longlist stage in 2017.

I would like to see more prize juries doing that - particularly the “Finest Fiction” should not be 5 people working in a vacuum and yet some past juries (on the main Booker say) have prided themselves exactly on working without reading any other views on the books.

For me a better idea might be to ask Frank Wynne to take a Kate Mosse (Ok she was too busy with a book and play to do it properly this year) role in guiding /advising /sitting with future IB judges - maybe in place of or alongside Gaby Wood

Anyway just a straw man I am running up the flagpole to be flamed and shot down in a hail of bullets from an anti mixed metaphor gun.

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "In the keeping the same judging panel for next year idea I am less keen than others. The Nobel Prize committee seems to me a clear counter example given their sometimes very strange choices and ver..."

Actually I think that's a great idea - In that way the IB would be more consistent - Although I am a fan and I read all the shortlist (eventually) this is the first time in the prize's 7 year history where I was genuinely excited about all 13 books

can anybody create a list? I have many books to add!

Mohamed, only 364 days left...getting nervous?

Yes anybody can create a list. It's only librarians though that can edit, delete book etc

Ruben wrote: "Mohamed, only 364 days left...getting nervous?"

YES, and hugely excited!

Paul wrote: "Yes anybody can create a list. It's only librarians though that can edit, delete book etc"

I do not how to create, could you please create one?

If nobody else gets in first I will do it, but not tonight. Will update the first post if we have a link.

Hugh let me do it as you do so much for the forum.

Which books do you have ready to add, Mohamed?

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

List here. NB please add English translations published, or to be published, in UK/Ireland during the period. If there is a book where you're unsure (or English version not yet on Goodreads) can be better to add in comments.

Thanks Paul. Might it not be better though now if Hugh edited the first comment to include the Listopia.

First comment now updated. Thanks for creating the list Paul.

Paul wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

List here. NB please add English translations published, or to be published, in UK/Ireland during the peri..."

Than you Paul

Hugh wrote: "First comment now updated. Thanks for creating the list Paul."

Thank you Hugh

David wrote: "Which books do you have ready to add, Mohamed?"

I added them now, you can check them

I saw on Publisher’s Weekly today that a ‘new’ Han Kang book —translated by Deborah Smith-will be released next April in the US- Greek Lessons- from Hogarth.

Not sure when it’s coming out in the UK, but I’m excited for next April!

On Han Kang

Hamish Hamilton will publish Greek Lessons in April 2023, in a translation by Deborah Smith, and We Do Not Part a year later, in a translation by Emily Won.

Looking forward to both particularly the 2nd given Jeju is where I usually spend my summers.

From Bookseller:

Greek Lessons was published in Korea in 2011, and was Han’s follow-up to her internationally acclaimed novel The Vegetarian (Portobello Books), the first of her works to be translated into English and the book which won her the Man Booker International Prize. It tells the interwoven stories of a Greek instructor who is losing his sight and a woman who refuses to speak. Described as uniquely involving, tender and thoughtful, it explores the depths and limits of human connection.

The second book, We Do Not Part, was published in Korea in September 2021, and was Han’s first full-length novel in five years. Like Human Acts (Portobello) it has at its heart a tragic human event – in this case the massacre of civilians in 1948 on Jeju Island – a place to which the protagonist of this novel journeys in the present, progressively haunted by the spirits of the past.

Both sound amazing!

Too bad Krasznahorkai's most luminous novel, A Mountain to the North, a Lake to the South, Paths to the West, a River to the East is not eligible. This is surely the most exciting English translation of the year.

Will there be a UK publication?

Speaking of New Directions, my copy of Scattered All Over the Earth just arrived. I see that’s on the list.

David wrote: "Will there be a UK publication?"

Oh yes, now I see there will! By Tuskar Rock in January 2023. I added it to the list.

Excellent!

I was surprised to see Zambra's Bonsai on the list for this year because it was already published by the Melville House in the US almost 15 years ago. But then I noticed a different translator, this time Megan McDowell who impressively translated his other two books I read. I wonder if the author was not entirely happy with the previous translation... For a while I meant to read it and now will definitely wait for the Fitzcarraldo edition.

Hurray for Krasznahorkai, Anna!

Maybe prize judges could serve for 2 or 4 years, then a new group assembled for the next term. That would provide a mix of consistency without a prize becoming too niche, which I agree would happen.

News of a new Krasznahorkai translation is very exciting! Thanks, Anna.

WndyJW wrote: "Maybe prize judges could serve for 2 or 4 years, then a new group assembled for the next term. That would provide a mix of consistency without a prize becoming too niche, which I agree would happen..."

Obviously the disadvantage would be if there's a panel of judges whose tastes disagree with ours (ahem booker 2020 , WP 2022 anyone)

Vesna wrote: "Hurray for Krasznahorkai, Anna!"
WndyJW wrote: "News of a new Krasznahorkai translation is very exciting! Thanks, Anna!"

His Spadework for Palace will be published in English in July, as well. So you can look forward to two new K-translations :-)

Changing the jury each year makes sense to me. Certainly what we're doing on the RoC. We didn't even invite Gumble's Yard, Neil and that Paul Fulcher chap back although they were good judges imho.

These IB judges just happened to be particularly good - what one would hope is that other prizes will think "perhaps I should invite them on to my prize" - and that this year's WP judges will never be asked to judge a prize ever again!

Paul wrote: "Changing the jury each year makes sense to me. Certainly what we're doing on the RoC. We didn't even invite Gumble's Yard, Neil and that Paul Fulcher chap back although they were good judges imho.
..."

I second that!

I was more invited back as a prize fund sponsor!

I’m sure you’re welcome to serve annually in that capacity!

That was nice of the RofC to take your money, GY. I hope you sent a nice thank you card.

I think I was mentioned in the winner announcement that year.

The new Orhan Pamuk novel is available on US Netgalley. 700 pages though so I will wait for the physical book.

Paul wrote: "The new Orhan Pamuk novel is available on US Netgalley. 700 pages though so I will wait for the physical book."

Why 700 pages?! I thought that with The Red-Haired Woman Pamuk had finally understood that it is perfectly possible to write an excellent novel in 250 pages...

One would hope all authors understood that but alas it seems not. Won't change until prize juries make it clear they will stop reading at page 250.

The new Mariana Enriquez Our Share of Night just beats that at 736 but I'm so caught up in it, at the moment anyway, not currently an issue.

Paul wrote: "The new Orhan Pamuk novel is available on US Netgalley. 700 pages though so I will wait for the physical book."

I've read it in an awful Serbian translation and it is not good I'm afraid.

That might have been the awful Serbian translation though.

My 2023 controversial winner for sure, new Can Xue: https://yalebooks.co.uk/page/detail/b...

A profound, poignant story of a village healer and her community, from one of the world’s great contemporary novelists

In rural Yun Village, herbalist Mrs. Yi lives with her husband in a cottage at the foot of Niulan Mountain, where she gathers herbs to treat the ailments of the villagers by day and studies medicine by night. Sickness and herbs are lovers, she tells her patients, rejoicing when they recover, comforting them when they do not. All the while, she hopes to find a worthy successor to take up her mantle. As curious younger villagers observe Mrs. Yi and begin imitating her work—planting gardens and studying the art of healing—they soon discover that the line dividing life from death is porous, and the mountain is more mysterious than they ever knew.

Drawing on her experiences as a barefoot doctor in her youth, Can Xue returns with a transporting novel that alights in the in-between spaces: between the living and the dead, healer and sick, nature and us.

Cannot wait to read it and disagree with people about it.

A true legend in her own bathroom mirror.

I'm partway through the Enriquez which has intriguing elements but based on the style alone don't see it as a prize winner, it's too pulp-y.

Samantha Schweblin has a new collection of short stories later on this year

Thanks, I'm a bit undecided about Schweblin but will probably read this anyway!

Is Can Xue fluent in English? Is it possible that her confidence and appreciation of her talent comes across as arrogant when translated into English? Is her work worth reading even if she’s too insufferable to be pals with?

Barefoot Doctor: A Novel sounds very good.

I quite liked I Live in the Slums: Stories and personally speaking I’ve found Can Xue’s self-puffery I’ve read to be rather amusing, so yes I’d say she’s definitely worth checking out, but she’s clearly not for everyone.

Alwynne wrote: "Thanks, I'm a bit undecided about Schweblin but will probably read this anyway!"

I like her a lot BUT - I've always felt that she hasn't reached her full potential - I know that lurking in there is a dark, disturbing novel that will fry your brain but I've only seen that in glimpses

Am looking to buy some new releases for WIT month. Anyone got recommendations for books that could also be eligible for IB23? (I have seen the GR list.)