It's time to get your Euro fiction on
In today’s news, discover short stories by European writers, an alternative to the “best of 2009″ book lists, and the concerns parents have about how the “Twilight” series portrays relationships.
- Each year we can read a new anthology of best American short stories, but what about stories from other continents? Aleksander Hemon has teamed up with Dalkey Archive Press (an Illinois-based publisher that specializes in translation) to present Best European Fiction 2010. The anthology is modeled on the “Best American” series and features short stories translated from across Europe. Hemon spoke with Paper Cuts about the project and the benefits he sees in translating such a large body of European work.
- “Best Books of 2009″ lists are beginning to crop up everywhere, but the Millions blog is doing something different. With its “A Year in Reading” features, the blog doesn’t make broad claims about the absolute best books of the year, it merely offers friendly, entertaining opinions from authors about books they read this year, noting that “few readers, if any, read exclusively newly published books.” Julie Klam enjoyed The Wordy Shipmates, The Embers, and everything by Kate Christensen, while author Hari Kunzru chose the 1980 novel Wonderful Wonderful Times as his personal best read of the year.
- Tina Jordan of Shelf Life raises some interesting questions about the “Twilight” series in her post, “Are Edward and Bella in an Abusive Relationship?” Jordan concisely voices many concerns that have been raised about the series’ portrayal of women and relationships. In particular, Bella’s passivity, reliance on male characters for salvation, and unhealthy relationship with Edward have raised red flags for parents and feminists alike.
*************
Want to know more about us? Check out “What is Books & Authors and Why Should You Care?
