Every once in a while I get asked a question along the lines of "why write crime fiction?" in a way that implies that I could be spending my time in much more worthwhile pursuits. And many reviewers still insist on bestowing backhanded compliments on crime writers who blow them away by criticizing the genre they write in. For example, take this sentence from the Denver Post's recent review of Sleepless, by Charles Huston (Ballantine Books): "He is a standout young voice in what might be considered the genre of crime fiction, but his writing is simply too good to be genre-constrained." Jeez, enough already.
Seeing as how there isn't much I can do about the condescension or outright prejudice against crime, mystery and detective fiction, I will, instead, continue promoting crime writers and books whenever I get the opportunity; readers you take it from there.
In the spirit of internationalism, I present a list of recent crime fiction (or novelas negras, if you prefer) originally written in Spanish (or Portuguese) and now translated into English. There's got to be one, at least, on this list that will grab your attention; introduce you to a new writer; or turn out to be the best read you've had in months. This is Part I; Part II continues next week. The text is taken from publisher or author summaries.
[NOTE: This list comes from two sources: Border Patrol, newsletter of The International Crime Writers, Winter, 2010, and Cynthia Nye of High Crimes Mystery Bookshop. Some titles might seem to stretch the definition of "crime fiction." However, I am willing to go along with the International Crime Writers and the mystery bookseller - they should know.]
________________________________________________________________
4 Comments on Fiction in Translation - Part I, last added: 1/22/2010
Great post. My TBR stack just got taller. With so much reading, when do you make time to write?
Ditto. I just added two of the titles to my list of books in Spanish to read. And two to the books in translation list. Keep them coming, Manuel. Congrats to Edgar winners. LCCC
same as the last two, my pile keeps getting taller and taller...now to find the time. Great post!
So many books, so little time. I believe in the old saying, to be a good writer, be a good reader first. I may not be all that good of a writer, but I do read all right, even though it seems that it takes me much longer to get through a book these days. The books on this list do sound intriguing. I hope to soon have a review of Max Aub's classic ready for La Bloga. Maybe those of you picking up a few of these books will also review them for La Bloga? But wait, there's more next week.