Here, translation unlocks stories from languages afar, people unknown yet familiar in voices that stun you and resonate with you. Here is your book of world stories

 

FICTION

Day Care Centre for the Elderly— Sreekrishnapuram Krishnankutty

TRANSLATED FROM THE MALAYALAM BY K.M. AJIR KUTTY   When he heard about the Day Care Centre for the Elderly, the Pakalveedu, father’s expression made it clear that he didn’t like it. His naturally…...
Bohni, The First Earning

Bohni, The First Earning— Chitra Mudgal

TRANSLATED FROM THE HINDI BY ANURADHA DOSAD   Crossing that bridge had become something of a habit. Whatever smallest coin I got out of the change, I would toss it onto the checkered towel…...
The Only Way Out

The Only Way Out— U. K. Kumaran

TRANSLATED FROM THE MALAYALAM BY K. M. AJIR KUTTY   It happened at the beginning of another dream. Somebody shook me violently to wake me up. I felt someone’s hands fall heavily on my neck…...
The Doe

The Doe— Chandrakiran Saunriksa

TRANSLATED FROM THE HINDI BY AYUSHEE ARORA   She was wearing a fine red churidar pyjama with a black border and a long pink kurta with green flowers. The edges of her red-bordered safflower-colored dupatta…...
One handed Alexander

One handed Alexander— Parthajit Chanda

TRANSLATED FROM THE BENGALI BY SUKTI SARKAR   Alexander stood at the four-point crossing. It was his job to keep standing. From morning till noon-late-afternoon-evening, he roamed about to return to this place. The whole day…...

Can I have Some Milk?— Chitra Mudgal

TRANSLATED FROM THE HINDI BY ANURADHA DOSAD   The men of the house drink milk. Because they are men. Her job is to carefully deliver the lukewarm glass of milk to them. She smells…...
THE FORT AND THE SEA

The Fort and The Sea— Mavji Maheshwari

TRANSLATED FROM THE GUJARATI BY HELI VORA AND MANOJ CHHAYA   The sun was setting behind the towering walls of the fort as Roshan looked back sluggishly. The shadow of her house with red roof…...

Minimal Stories— Ferit Edgü

 TRANSLATED FROM THE TURKISH BY NEIL P. DOHERTY Dedicated to Spencer Burke   Language You are the first person to whom I have revealed that I am a foreigner and that I have written…...

The White Dog’s Fable— Yasser Abdel-latif

TRANSLATED FROM THE ARABIC BY OSAMA HAMMAD   Lucy was an infertile dog living in Maadi, the quiet Cairo suburb. For Lucy, infertility probably played a role in her psychology as a stray dog. She…...