Best Literature in Translation 0f 2008

Early in December, Chad Post announced on the Three Percent website the 2008 Best Translated Book of the Year Fiction Longlist (see link on the left). Kepler's is featuring a selection of those amazing titles, including the Taker and other Stories, by Rubem Fonseca (translated from the Portuguese by Clifford Landers (Open Letter) and 2666, by Roberto Bolano, translated from the Spanish by Natasha Wimmer (Farrar, Straus & Giroux). 

Reading is like thinking, like praying, like talking to a friend, like expressing your ideas, like listening to other people's ideas, like listening to music (oh yes), like looking at the view, like taking a walk on the beach."
      from 2666, by Roberto Bolano

What's up with the donkey?

Indeed, why a donkey? It all began in September 2006 with the movie Au Hasard Balthazar, directed by Robert Bresson, recommended to me by our head-donkey Frank Sanchez, Kepler's frontlist buyer. The story of the donkey Balthazar, in this 1966 film, is the story of human folly and cruelty and the wisdom of the donkeys.  Then, there were two surprise bestsellers at Kepler's, The Wisdom of Donkeys, by Andy Merrifield and Donkey the Mystique  of Equus Asinus, by Michael Tobias & Jane Morrison (the poster above my desk on the donkey photo is the cover of this book). Both books reveal the donkey's noble and humble nature,  "a being who is honest, forthright, compassionate and loving." These qualities reminded me of independent bookstores' noble and humble work, such as Kepler's, and our stubborn hope in sharing the love of books and reading.  Well-Read Donkey's name comes from John Fowles' wonderful introduction for the Book of Ebenezer le Page, by G.B. Edwards, published by one of Kepler's favorite imprints New York Review Books, "He more than once likened his stubbornness to that of a donkey; but this was a wise and well-read donkey..."

Well-Read Donkey's goal is to connect Kepler's Writing Group with other writers, readers, published authors and independent booksellers. Send us your book recommendations, tell us where is your favorite place to read, post the photo of your book shelf or your favorite book with dog-eared pages and post-it notes, tell us your favorite book to give this year, share your thoughts on writing craft,  etc.