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
The Beauty Parlor – Arupa Patangia Kalita
Translated from the Assamese by Ranjita Biswas Eva. Short, rather meaningless, a name given without much thought. The person who bears this name does not have anything to set her apart from the milieu. She…...
Unfortunately, I can’t dance the tango – Adrián N. Bravi
Translated from the Italain by Pina Piccolo I know a couple who two or three nights a week go to dance the tango in a suburban theater used as a dance hall. The…...
Parentheticals V: Nothing About Nothing – Tim Tomlinson
Don’t ask me nothin’ about nothin’—I just might tell you the truth. – Bob Dylan1. The Boy Who Is Habitually LateIn class we’re discussing Freud. His idea that…...
Samaresh’s Life Force – Indrani Datta
Translated from the Bengali by Rituparna Mukherjee On a wintry Saturday afternoon at the beginning of 2013, in the month of January-February, commonly called Magh, Samaresh found himself acutely worried. The place where the events…...
This is Not a Tapir, it’s an Anteater – Giuseppe A. Samonà
Translated from the Italian by Brenda Porster It’s an anteater. It’s an anteater. It’s an anteater. But: no use. They show me, often enough, an anteater; even more often they ask me questions…...
The Red Horse – Sourav Hossain
Translated from the Bengali by Shamita Das Dasgupta.One The instant the elder owner flicked his whip on my back and barked out the command, “Let’s go, Shahzada,” I’d neigh and…...
Sky – Julio Monteiro Martins
Translated from the Italian by Donald Stang and Helen Wickes“In a European landscape, you find clearly defined shapes bathed in diffused light. Here what we consider as the traditional roles of the…...
Under the Old Banyan Tree, We Meet – Marzia Rahman
Leaning against the two motorcycles, we chat for hours. Just like the old days. The masks are a sad reminder though. That life is uncertain, and a strange virus looms nearby.This is where we usually…...
The Floral Coronets – Dr. Gourahari Das
Translated from the Odia by Dr. Snehaprava Das“Are you there, bhauja?”Nilamber called from outside, craning his neck as he tried to look through the door. Sukanti gave a start. “This man will…...