I enjoy challenging myself sometimes to try and read or follow other media in other languages besides English, and although I could skim over bestselling or top/best of lists in other languages, if those are anything like their English contemporaries, I imagine odds are they don’t catch some of the lesser known yet still enjoyable works.
So, what are some works in your native language that haven’t been translated to English that you’d recommend? Also if it’s not clear by the title, could you mention the language it’s in?
I don’t know if it has been translated but I would recommend “Die Känguru Chroniken”.
It’s a humourous book about a communist kangaroo moving in with a comedian. Many great jokes have established themselves in left leaning german meme culture as a result.
The book mostly has standalone chapters, but the sequels have more of a narrative throuline.
I see a book about a kangaroo, I feel obligated to like, thanks!
So I’m English, but I know German. The book “Der Buchspazierer” is really good book that I’ve discovered recently. It literally means “the book-walker,” but the official English translation is “The door to door bookstore.”
They’re also making it into a movie in Germany, so you could wait til the movie comes out if you want.
Bookwalker is a wicked literal translation, but the perhaps more correct form also sounds pretty interesting, so thanks!
To be honest, I got the book because I thought it was about a person who could walk into books, based on the title. It’s still pretty good without that aspect, though.
Anything by Gabriel García Márquez. Creepy haunting tales, dramatic epics, magical settings. Also, read Jorge Luis Borges, some of the most creative and mind twisting short tales and narratives. “Casas muertas” by Miguel Otero Silva beautifully narrates the curse of oil in Venezuelan society and the mar left by imperialism in Latin American societies. Isabel Allende takes your breath away. And of course any short tale by Julio Cortázar.
Ah, I think I’d heard of (and may have one of the works of) the first author you mention, and the second sounds kinda familiar. Last few I don’t think I knew of, so appreciate the range of suggestions!
A great series is the german “Tatortreiniger” which translates to something like “crime scene cleaner”. I’d describe it as a small scale theatre like series, each episode playing inside a house or a few rooms, with a few characters. The main character usually has to clean up a crime scene and is confronted with the other residents of the building. It has a special kind of humor, mostly transported by really strange everyday situations.
I am American, but my favorite author is Argentinian: Samanta Schweblin. Four out of five of her works have been translated to English but you can easily find the original Spanish texts. Distancia de rescate (Fever Dream), Kentukis (Little Eyes), Siete casas vacías (Seven Empty Houses), and Pájaros en la boca y otros cuentos (Mouthful of Birds) are the ones I’ve read (in English) and can strongly recommend. Her books are often disturbing in some way, with stream of consciousness/hallucinatory narration. She dives into little moments in people’s lives and explores their humanity.
Thanks, girl
Tropa de elite, bacurau and Bingo: o rei das manhãs comes to mind. If you get away from comedy, our most common genre, you get pretty much a good movie from Brazil.
Also, a lot of poetry/music. Unfortunately the spirit gets a bit lot in translation. I’m of the popular opinion that romance languages are the best for them, but the unpopular one that french sucks to hear and brazilian portuguese-spanish-italian are so much better.
As for books, Senhora. It’s about a rich woman who “buys” a man in a marriage contract and makes him jump loops as her whims. Written in 1875, 50+ years before women could even vote.
I’m an English speaker, but I loved the Metro series of books (which are in Russian). Had a helluva time finding translations, though. The books are way more interesting than the games with a much more crazy twist in the first one. I thought they would just help with context, but the games deviate a lot from the books.
Other Russian books I’ve read include Roadside Picnic and The Wishgranter (because of STALKER). As well as stuff from Tolstoyevski when I was in high school.
I can second Metro 2033. YouTube has got some audiobooks book versions of it in English, but there’s a whole bunch of noncannon fan books that are only in Russian.
I thought the books and games complimented each other nicely. Both were clearly made in a manner to suit their medium best. And having read/played one shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying the other.
(Czech)
Ludvík Vaculík: Morčata/The Guinea Pigs. It’s about a man, who rears and mistreats guinea pigs to compensate for his own bridled life.
Any play by Václav Havel, if you’re into absurd drama.
From newer authors, Anna Cima: Probudím se na Šibuji/I Wake Up in Shibuya, magic-realistic story of czech japanist, who left her soul (literally) in Japan.Oh, I’ve just read you want untranslated works, I cannot find such a book I’d find recomendable enough, but try watching some Cimrmans, you’ll find them at YouTube.
Thanks for the suggestions! I don’t know Czech, but these give me some good goals to aim for should I try to learn it!
I highly recommend “Das Boot” by Lothar-Günther Buchheim
There’s Oorlogswinter (Winter in Wartime) by Jan Terlouw. It tells the story of a teenager’s time during the German occupation. Specifically, how he survives the winter of 44/45, which is commonly known as the “Hunger Winter.” It was written for young teens, so it’s not super challenging, but it’s still an interesting story written by someone who’s lived through it himself.
For movies, there’s the Resistance Banker. It’s loosely based on true events (as it’s somewhat dramatized for the screen). It’s about the brothers Van Hall, who played a major role in financing the Dutch resistance.
Then, for something not WW2 related, there’s a bizarre comedy series called Rundfunk. I think it can be found with subtitles on youtube, but I’m not sure about the quality. It’s about two guys in high school who are, well, kinda losers tbh, and the other bizarre characters in and around the school. If you do end up watching it, I want to say two things: 1) It was broadcasted on national television, and it was less censored there than on youtube, and 2) it was partially made using taxpayer money.
Chinese is not my speaking language but Wuxia novels (ancients Chinese kung-fu novels) by Jin Yong are classics in Asia. They got translated to many languages including English iirc.
The five agreements from Mexican Author. It is a really nice book.
from Mexican Author
bruh
The author is Don Miguel Ruiz
I couldn’t remember his name at that moment , I just remember he was from Mexico.
I didn’t know it either, I googled it
Oof
I recommend El Chavo del Ocho (imdb link), it’s a Mexican show that is very popular here in Brazil
If I’m being honest, there isn’t a single thing I’ve read in my pre-English language. I learned English and then learned how to read and it just stuck. I don’t even know if any notable works exist in the language.
Perhaps it is time for you to explore your native literature then?
