Catching Fire
A Translation Diary
Published on 5. April 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
207 pages
978-1-913867-25-6 (ISBN)
Description
An energizing real-time journey through the translation of Never Did the Fire and the process of literary translation.
In Catching Fire , the translation of Diamela Eltit's Never Did the Fire unfolds in real time as a conversation between works of art, illuminating both in the process. The problems and pleasures of conveying literature into another language-what happens when you meet a pun? a double entendre?-are met by translator Daniel Hahn's humor, deftness, and deep appreciation for what sets Eltit's work apart, and his evolving understanding of what this particular novel is trying to do.
In Catching Fire , the translation of Diamela Eltit's Never Did the Fire unfolds in real time as a conversation between works of art, illuminating both in the process. The problems and pleasures of conveying literature into another language-what happens when you meet a pun? a double entendre?-are met by translator Daniel Hahn's humor, deftness, and deep appreciation for what sets Eltit's work apart, and his evolving understanding of what this particular novel is trying to do.
Reviews / Votes
"A frank, forensic diary that describes what happens when we set aside metaphors and begin the Sisyphean task of translation." -The Spectator"Hahn is so smart and neurotic and funny." -New York Times
"Warm, witty, intellectual yet down to earth, Hahn has written a unique book." -The Monthly Booking
"A book full of insights into what goes on behind the translation scenes." -Tony's Reading List
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
245 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-913867-25-6 (9781913867256)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Daniel Hahn is a writer, editor and translator with over eighty books to his name. His translations (from Portuguese, Spanish and French) include fiction from Europe, Africa and the Americas and non-fiction by writers ranging from Portuguese Nobel laureate Jose Saramago to Brazilian footballer Pele. Recent books include the new Oxford Companion to Children's Literature and a translation of Julian Fuks' Resistance and Occupation . He is a former chair of the Society of Authors and is presently on the board of a number of organisations that deal with literature, literacy, translation and free expression. In 2021 Daniel was made an OBE for his services to literature.
Interviews/Links
Daniel Hahn on BBC Radio 3 as part of Hay Festival 2019.
Presenting an In The Studio episode on Ann Goldstein for BBC World Service.
Articles written for The Guardian.
Interviews/Links
Daniel Hahn on BBC Radio 3 as part of Hay Festival 2019.
Presenting an In The Studio episode on Ann Goldstein for BBC World Service.
Articles written for The Guardian.