I’m always intrigued these days when a foreign writer gets his work translated into English and breaks into my local bookstore. This was not always the case. After all, I have enough books written by English speakers to fill two rooms in cities of zig-zagging piles. Why would I want to burden my hardwood floor with more books from other countries?
I do love books, but come on!
Then a few years ago, I had my eyes opened in a big way. Since the story involved a love of books, I picked up the English translation to the Spanish release Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
It is still my favorite book of the last decade.
If you think about it, a translated work should intrigue everyone. Why, you ask? There are thousands and thousands of hopeful English writers hoping to break into the publishing industry but with a foreign novel an editor doesn’t only take a chance on an uncertain book then must pay extra money to have the book translated. For an editor to feel that strongly about a book means it must be quality.
Well, in a few weeks, I will start reading one such book, another foreign release translated here in the United States—The Stranger by Max Frei.
- “If Harry Potter smoked cigarettes and took a certain matter-of-fact pleasure in administering tough justice, he might like Max Frei, the protagonist of this fantasy novel… Well-written, well-paced grown-up fantasy with a strong dose of reality.” —Kirkus
Following the jump, I have posted the press release for The Stranger as well as an exclusive excerpt from The Stranger!
The book is in bookstores now! Enjoy!
