Well yuletide is nearly on us and after a weekend of buying presents for the family I ve decided to put forward some gifts for people that loves books these may also spark a love of translation .
STEIG LARSSON TRILOGY HARDBACK BOXED SET –
Now there isn’t many people who haven’t heard of the late Steig Larsson ,and his trilogy ,well Quercus via their sister press the Maclehose press have brought out a wonderful hardback box set .These are truly beautiful I ve looked at them a couple of times in the local bookshop .They’ll make a perfect gift for close family member or crime fan or anyone that loves pretty books like folio ones .
Peirene press 1,2 and 3 and subscription .
Peirene the wonderful translation press run by Meike ,that this year has been like an adrenalin shot and electric shock into the dying european novella in English translation .the three books have all feature female characters at the centre of the books a women on the edge in a French seaside town a stoic Spanish women and a young pregnant women in Rome have all feature this year and next year there are three male stories as Meike says the year of the man .There is a gift subscription for either three or six books available here
An INTERLUDE IN SPAIN ?
now a duo of books the very short introduction to Spanish literature from Oxford ,a book I reviewed a while ago a great guide to Spanish literature this is an essential way to find out whats beyond Zafon and Cervantes .and the perfect companion to this is Granta 113 the new edition of granta on new Spanish writing that contains 20 of the rising stars of Spanish language fiction .
A Russian winter ?#
lastly is the new Oxford version of War and peace by Leo Tolstoy .This is the definitive version in English and comes with extensive footnotes .This is the version I m using for the war and peace readalong start in January .I know people have favourite versions but this is a lovely book to hold and is an ideal introduction to the long russian novels .
Who translates that beautiful new edition of War and Peace? Is that the one that is actually an earlier draft?
it is the Maude version revised by an american russian translator amy mandekler ,with the orginal french bits restored and the russian names brought back instead of anglized names ,also grammer cleaned up to make it free reading than the earlier translation ,all the best stu
That Stieg Larsson box set is gorgeous!! I love the “old book” look of them. I remember when you reviewed that Spanish lit book. I really wanted it, and I still do!
Great post for anyone looking to get friends and family “translated” gifts 🙂
yes loving the Larssons have hope I have some money for christmas may get them for myself ,yes the spanish lit book is wondefful and the granta goes well with it ,all the best stu
Some lovely gift ideas there, Stu.
Is the copy of W&P that you have easier to read then if the grammar is cleaned up? I have often wondered which version of this I should get.
The War and Peace is truly beautiful. Makes my beige penguin popular classic look a bit naff…
It is wondeful sarah gates of st petersberg ,all the best stu
Great list Stu 🙂 I bought myself the Peirene Press subscription for 2011 😀
thanks amy ,all the best stu
Still want the spanish lit book, although personally for Xmas I think book tokens are ideal, that way I can browse for books, hunt down specific books I want ( I feel that satisfies the hunter gatherer in me ). Love the look of W&P.
I love going to book shops , the nearest to me ios sheffield that stocks what I read the local waterstones is small ,the war and peace is beautiful ,all the best stu