Peter Graves (translator)

“It deals with a tiny village in Sweden which has about 40 inhabitants left. The writer has basically interviewed all of them and, using those interviews, told the story of a particular place over time. So you get the minutiae of the life of a village, against the backdrop of the 20th and 21st century and changes that are taking place. It reads like poetry, but she’s simply taken the words of the local inhabitants and presented them in a different form…It’s a completely original insight into the life of a tiny place which, again, throws up universal themes. Once I got into it, it’s rather an exciting book to read, because it’s so original, but so resonant because it deals with our lives too. So much of it speaks to what anyone in any community goes through and observes: frustrations and anxieties and emotions and passions and loves and hates. It’s an amazing book.” Read more...

The British Academy Book Prize: 2022 Shortlist

Philippe Sands, Lawyer

“In the Congo rainforest, an infant gorilla is taken by Belgian explorers on an illegal hunting expedition… It’s great. It’s got very nice art… It’s an adventure, and it’s about animal welfare and perseverance. I like it a lot.” Read more...

The Best Graphic Novels for 10-12 Year Olds

Harald, Children

“To me, it’s just an incredibly original book. It’s emotional, it’s educational, it’s got illustrations. It’s got everything going for it.” Read more...

The Best Kids’ Books in Translation

Adam Freudenheim, Publisher