Ana María Moix, one of Spain’s most well-known writers today, gives us a wonderful collection of short stories, translated by Sandra Kingery. Of My Real Life I Know Nothing is a series of shorts, each containing stories of heartfelt meaning that catches the reader by surprise at each and every ending. For me, nothing gives a short story more to remember it by than a great explanation-point finish, something substantial to catch you offguard.
Moix’s latest collection seems to start out in a more serious tone, with scenes of a tragic nature. As the book progresses, the stories take on more humor while still holding onto the introspective look at human failings. By the time the final story is reached, Mere Puppets, the reader will enjoy an outright humorous look at the varying personalities in a tour group in Italy. Mere Puppets, as funny as it is, continues to deliver the deep undercurrents of human nature one learns to expect, and looks forward to finding, in Moix’s work throughout Of My Real Life I Know Nothing.
If you’re as intrigued by the premise of this collection as I was, I have an extra copy to give away to one of you.
3 Ways to Win:
1.) Leave a comment telling me whether or not you’ve read any translated works lately. What would draw you to a translated work? (Be creative – while winners are drawn randomly, if the original winner doesn’t claim their prize, a new winner is chosen by originality of the comment.)
2.) Email subscribers are entered into this and all future giveaways, for as long as their subscription is active. Simply place your email address in the little white box at the top of my sidebar on the right. (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you don’t receive it, check your junk mail. Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)
3.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Come back and leave me a Comment with a link to your blog post.
Do all three, and you’ve got three entries to win! You have until midnight EST on Sunday, July 27, 2008, to enter.
Published by Latin American Literary Review/Press.
I periodically read One Hundred Years of Solitude, one of my favorite books
I tend to be attracted to memoirs, my last translated text was back in school, Don Quixote by Cervantes, this sounds great, please enter me!
I don’t know if I ever read a work that has been translated. (I guess the exception would be materials I read in college.)
I’m not sure if I’ve read any translated work….but I do know that I enjoy writings regarding introspectives on life, philosophy, spirituality etc. I’m all about growth in any positive way!
I’d love to read this book, it sounds wonderful.
No, I haven’t but this book sounds wonderful!
never, i’d love to expand my horizons
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Yes. Candide. I loved it.
Not yet. I plan to.
Madam Bovary. It is a really good book.
no
THANK YOU GOD BLESS
No, I haven’t. Thanks.
The last translated work I read was the Divine Comedy (translated from Italian, of course).
Like Desmond, the last book I read in translation is The Divine Comedy – I had one translation for “The Inferno” and a much better one for “Purgatory” and “Paradise”. The translation really does make a difference!
I’m not sure if I’ve ever read any translated works, but I love to read so this would be the perfect excuse to try reading one!
I’ve read some books by Russian authors – a good translation does make a difference. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi, I like the sketch work on her cover!
Actually, I have never read any translated books. Maybe, in my next lifetime. LOL…..Short stories are usually quite fascinating. I still remember the short stories class I took as a Freshmen in college! That is when I was introduced to Isaac Asimov! My degree is in Psychology and the workings of human nature is a hobby of mine. Please enter me in your book drawing. I really appreciate it. Thanks, Cindi
No, no recent translated works, I’d pay attention to those whose readers gave good reviews to a certain book
I have not read any translated works of late.
I love reading Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s work…Beautiful. It amazes me that it translates as beautiful as it is in it native language.
i don’t think i’ve ever read a translated work…i like surprise ending though- please enter me in the giveaway
i havent read any translated work in quite some time
I haven’t read any in a long time actually! Just been reading novels lately!
no not yet
I have read several translated works which I loved. The one I read recently was Codex632. This novel was compelling and took place in Lisbon,Portugal, Israel, N.Y. and was amazing. I also read The Shadow of the Wind.
I often read novels in translation, either books from Spanish-speaking authors (Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez come to mind), or even English books translated into my own language, Italian. I was a student of Language and Translation studies and enjoy analyzing translations of literary works.
I also blogged about your giveaway here:
http://alessandrasplace.blogspot.com/2008/07/giveaways.html
I have not read any translated works lately. What would draw me to a translated work is if it was a book that got a good review.
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I have read many translated works. I find it works best if the translator is as talented as the author.
I would be drawn to a translated book if the story interested me…
Yes, I read The Little Prince. I would definitely read another one if it was recommended to me by someone. I actually read this in both French and English and I did prefer the French version.
I have not read any translated works lately. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
I am also a subscriber.
I have read some books that were translated – mostly those in high school and college. I enjoy Japanese and Spanish poetry translated into English. I agree with Greg in his previous post that the translator needs to be as skilled as the author!
No, I haven’t but would love too. Beautiful cover.
gkstratos@ yahoo.com
I recently read The Story of the Root-Children by Sibylle Von Olfers. It’s a sweet story of Mother Nature & the Root-Children through the seasons.
no
I need to read more
I don’t believe I’ve read a translated book. I have watched subtitle films and definately enjoyed them. I do love to read. Sometimes, we become attracted to something quite by accident. Perhaps that is the case here
I love Haruki Murakami’s stories – i often wonder if something gets lost in the translation though.
i love reading new books!
I don’t know if I’ve ever read a translated book but I like the idea of it. Great giveaway, thanks!
Blogged ya:
http://mommyland512.blogspot.com/2008/07/win-copy-of-of-my-real-life-i-know.html
Thanks again!
Haven’t read any translated wors yet,thanks.
I haven’t read any translated books, but I’d be interested to do so!
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Haven’t read any translated works lately. I’d read any that interests me and can be translated accurately as if the original writer wrote it, since much is lost in translation.
i read candide when i was in college. I’m certain I read others but i just can’t think of them right now. My mind is speaking a langage I don’t understand. i think it’s called sleep
I read Camus’ “The Stranger”.
I haven’t had time to read lately – what I have read would be more light reading. I am sure I have read a translated book at some time or another but none come to mind.
While I have not read any translated works lately, I can certainly understand the appeal as I have been drawn to works in translation in the past. I have read French (my favourite is Honoré de Balzac’s Old Goriot), and some Russian, and they never failed to delight. I think a work must gain something in translation, but it’s hard to say since I’ve never read the originals.
I read a lot of translated works in college lit classes. I read “War and Peace” when I was on bedrest pregnant with my first son and “The Three Musketeers” while pregnant with my second son. “Night Train to Lisbon” is sitting on my dresser waiting to be read this week.