Book List

Best Fiction of 2012: Translations

FICTION

THE INVESTIGATION

by Philippe Claudel ; translated by John Cullen

A technocratic Kafka nightmare—heavy on surreal diagnosis of the world’s ills, light on the traditional rewards of... Full review >

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FICTION

THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED

by Jonas Jonasson

A great cure for the blues, especially for anyone who might feel bad about growing older. Full review >

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FICTION

LENIN'S KISSES

by Yan Lianke & translated by Carlos Rojas

A satirical masterpiece, very funny for all its footnotes. You can bet the authorities in Beijing are scratching their heads... Full review >

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FICTION

THREE STRONG WOMEN

by Mary NDiaye & translated by John Fletcher

Unrelenting in its anger, pain and sorrow, but hard to put down. Full review >

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FICTION

CHILDREN IN REINDEER WOODS

by Kristín Ómarsdóttir & translated by Lytton Smith

This is the first of Icelandic author Ómarsdóttir’s novels to appear in English, and it shouldn’t be the last. Somewhere in... Full review >

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FICTION

MY FIRST SUICIDE

by Jerzy Pilch & translated by David Frick

It’s hard to do justice to the outré and eccentric but gorgeous quality of Pilch’s prose. Here he manages to pull off some... Full review >

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FICTION

WE'RE FLYING

by Peter Stamm translated by Michael Hofmann

For those who have an affinity for metaphysical fiction written with a surgeon’s precision, this collection will spur... Full review >

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FICTION

HOSTAGE

by Elie Wiesel & translated by Catherine Temerson

Nobel Peace Prize winner Wiesel continues to remind us of the brilliant possibilities of the philosophical and political... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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  • The Kirkus Star

    One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.

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  • The Kirkus Prize

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