RIVER OF INK by Paul M. M. Cooper An historical fable, full of rich exoticism, this book uses the tradition of epic saga and brilliant storyteller — like Scherazade. Asanka is the royal poet of a kingdom in Sri Lanka. As the book opens his king is awaiting the arrival of an invading army. He…
Thanks to the fine folks at Penguin Classics, I have one copy of a new translation of Victor Hugo’s classic to giveaway. To enter: 1) Share this giveaway. 2) Leave a comment, with a link to your “share” and please include your email so I can tell you you’ve won. 3) Sing…
Translated from the French by Sam Taylor I don’t believe I’ve ever read 650 pages so quickly. I finished this one over the course of about two and a half days. And regardless of its story or plot, every writer-in-training will love the cryptic Mr. Miyagi-like kernels of advice that begin each chapter. The book…
This is a sweeping epic, its narrative full of tiny stories of great import. While it is technically a fiction, it is an allegory for the Iranian political system — in the eyes of its author. Kader Abdolah is a pen name her created to honor fallen friends and the author has lived in exile…
Translated by Susan Bernofsky This short novel was first published in 1842, but it is still resonant today. Written under a pen name, the author takes up the cause of peasants’ rights against feudal dictatorship. But this is not a treatise. It is instead a carefully woven tale involving a wise grandfather, a bizarre…