I am so grateful that translated works of literature exist! If not we would not have access to so many great books written in a language that we don't speak or read!
Here are my top 5 translated literary fiction books of 2022:
The Korean Wave has brought us great music, TV and film content over the past couple of years. I love that now we also have access to some South Korean books that have been translated into English!
Three of my top 5 translated works are South Korea-related.
Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin is originally written in French but is based in the South Korean beach resort town of Sokcho in the non-touristy and bleak winter season. A brilliant little novella that delves into themes of belonging, loneliness and love, Winter in Sokcho is truly bleak and beautiful.
The Hundred Choices Department Store by Ginger Park tells the story of a small town in Korea, the department store and the family that owns it as well as what happens when Russia marches in to "liberate" Korea from the Japanese at the end of World War II right up until the formation of North Korea. Heartbreaking and beautiful, this is an absolutely wonderful book!
Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn is a wonderful, brilliant book! Full review can be found here.
Chronicles of the Lost Daughters by Debarati Mukhopadhyay follows the journey of a family, especially, of their daughters as they make a hellish journey to Guayana to work as indentured labour. Beautifully written and very moving, this is a slice of our history that is seldom talked about. A good one to read.
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami is a powerful, triggering book about bullying in Japanese high schools. A difficult-to-read book but a very, very powerful one and one that deserves to be read.
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