The Argentinian writer Gabriela Cabezón Cámara is the author of The Adventures of China Iron (published by Charco Press in 2019 in a brilliant translation by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre), a feminist reimagining of the 1872 epic poem ‘The Gaucho Martín Fierro’ by José Hernández; her new novel, We are Green and Trembling, is a historical retelling of the life of Antonio de Erauso, one of South America’s best-known trans men. Also, at the top of my reading list this summer, is Daniela Catrileo’s Chilco, another book that revisits the history of South America, exploring the brutal legacy of inequality left by colonial repression.
A second novel by Irene Solà is also on my list: her previous book, When I Sing, Mountains Dance, was one of my favourites reads in 2022, and I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness delves into the consequences of making a pact with the devil. I was also a great fan of R. F. Kuang’s Babel, and her new underworld story Katabasis sounds like the perfect read to relax in the sun. A new author for me this year is Juan Marsé, whose forthcoming Last Evenings with Teresa, coming out in August, is about the struggles of the young generation growing up in the shadows of the Spanish Civil War.
And finally, no summer reading list can be complete without the joy of a good horror story: this August my pick is The Midnight Shift by Cheon Seon-Ran, described as ‘a fast-paced vampire murder mystery’ – what more would you hope for?
From the publisher:
Translated by Robin MyersA sumptuous and surreal historical reimagining of one of South America’s best-known trans men, Antonio de ErausoThe new novel from the International Booker-shortlisted author of The Adventures of…
From the publisher:
Translated by Jacob EdelsteinA near-future tale about love, life, and friendship in a world that’s falling apart.Chilco is the name of Pascale’s home island. It is also the Mapudungun word for fuchsia: a word that…
From the publisher:
Translated by Mara Faye LethemAn earthy, bewitching and ferocious new novel by the author of When I Sing, Mountains DanceNestled among rugged mountains, in a remote part of Catalonia frequented by wolf hunters, bandits, deserters,…
From the publisher:
Translated by Nick Caistor‘Spain’s finest contemporary novelist’ Guardian‘Juan Marsé’s contribution to European fiction has been consistently remarkable’ Times Literary…
From the publisher:
Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek. The story of a hero's descent to the underworld.Grad student Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become the brightest mind in the field of analytic magick.But the only person who can make her dream come…
From the publisher:
Translated by Gene PngA bestseller in Korea, a biting, fast-paced vampire murder mystery exploring queer love and the consequences of loneliness.When four isolated elderly people die back-to-back at the same hospital by jumping out of the…
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