30.5 - mstan's task: Stranger in a Strange Land

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

30.5 - mstan's task: Stranger in a Strange Land

I have always been fascinated by how writers may write convincingly about places they don't live in or that are not their homeland, or places they have left. Also, why do books need to carry different titles in different countries?

For this task, choose TWO books from options A, B and C. Your two books must be from two different options (i.e. I can choose to read a book from A and C, A and B, or B and C).

A: Reimaginings - Read a book that is predominantly set in a place other than the author's birth-country, or where a place other than the author's birth-country plays a significant role in the story. Examples include:
A Passage to India the setting is India; Forster was born in the U.K.
The Wings of the Dove the setting is Europe; James was born in the U.S.
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet the setting is Japan; Mitchell was born in the U.K.
In a Sunburned Country the setting is Australia; Bryson was born in the U.S.
French Leave the setting is France; Wodehouse was born in the U.K.
A Step from Heaven the setting is the U.S.; An Na was born in Korea
The Book Thief the setting is Germany; Zusak was born in Australia

Required: Please state the option chosen, the setting and the author's birth-country when you post this task.

B: Culture Shock - Read a book which carries more than one title in a single language.

This could mean a translated work that has two or more titles in the language it has been translated into.(e.g. a French work that has been translated into English and has two English titles, e.g. The Stranger/The Outsider, or a title originally written in English that has at least two titles in German... apologies for not providing examples for this... I welcome any suggestions!)

Works such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which is Män som hatar kvinnor (Men who Hate Women) in Swedish, do not work for this option.

or

ii) a work that has been published under different titles in different countries (you do not have to specify the country). Again, the multiple titles must be in the same language.

Examples include:
On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God a.k.a It's OK, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers!
On the Jellicoe Road a.k.a Jellicoe Road
The Golden Compass a.k.a Northern Lights

Required: Please include the option and provide links to both editions carrying the two different titles in the same language when you post this task.

C: Estrangement - Read a book written by a writer who has left a particular country, but has written about it. This country must be a country where he was born or lived in for a substantial period of time. Examples include
My Life in France Julia Child was a U.S. citizen who lived in France
Disgrace J.M. Coetzee writes about South Africa, his birthplace, but now lives in Australia
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood Marjane Satrapi was born in Iran, which this graphic novel is about; she now lives in France
The Unbearable Lightness of Being Milan Kundera was a Czech citizen but lived in exile in France; this novel is set in Prague
The Museum of Innocence Orhan Pamuk was born in Turkey, where this novel is set, but now lives in the U.S.

Required: Please state the following -1) the option, 2) where the author was born or spent a significant amount of time; 3) where he or she later relocated; 4) where the book is set (which should match 2.)

[mstan]

Approved in addition to examples cited above:

A: Reimaginings

- To Timbuktu: Nine Countries, Two People, One True Story
- Murder on the Orient Express
- Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
- Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan
- It Happened One Autumn
- The Windup Girl
- Burmese Lessons: A true love story
- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
- The Satanic Verses
- The Remains of the Day
- Never Let Me Go
- Ascendant
- Lucifer's Tears (author: born in the US/ setting: Finland)
- Burning Bright (author: born in the US/ setting: UK)
- Girl with a Pearl Earring (author: born in the US/ setting: Netherlands)
- Brasyl (author: born in the UK/ setting: Brazil)
- No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (author: born in Zimbabwe/ setting: Botswana)
- 44 Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith (author: born in Zimbabwe/ setting: Scotland)
- Sunday Philosophy Club series by Alexander McCall Smith (author: born in Zimbabwe/ setting: Scotland)
- Milkweed (author: born in the US/ setting: Poland)
- Out of Africa (author: born in Denmark/ setting: Kenya)
- In Pursuit of Miss Eliza Cynster: A Cynster Novel (author: born in Sri Lanka/ setting: Scotland)
- The Zookeeper's Wife (author: born in the US/ setting: Poland)

B: Culture Shock

- Someone Knows My Name/The Book Of Negroes
- I Am the Messenger/The Messenger
- The Stranger/The Outsider
- Night Watch/The Night Watch
- Outlander/Cross Stitch
- Seven Deadly Wonders/ Seven Ancient Wonders
- Little Bee/ The Other Hand
- Eon: Dragoneye Reborn/ The Two Pearls Of Wisdom
- The Lost Conspiracy/ Gullstruck Island
- A Gathering Light/ A Northern Light
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone/ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- Spellbinder/ The Last Ghost: A Belladonna Johnson Adventure
- The Thirteen Problems/ The Tuesday Club Murders: A Miss Marple Mystery
- Love Overboard/ Ivan Takes a Wife
- Let the Right One In/ Let Me In
- The Tennis Party/ 40 Love
- The Keeper of Lost Causes/ Mercy
- Demons/ The Devils
- Midnight Riot/ Rivers of London

C: Estrangement

- Seven Blessings: A Novel (author: lived in Israel for 10 years/ moved to the US/ book set in Jerusalem)
- No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith (author: taught in the University of Botswana/ moved to Scotland/ book set in Botswana)
- Out of Africa (author: lived in Kenya from 1914-1931/ moved back to Denmark/ memoirs of her time in Kenya)
- The Power of One, Tandia, Whitethorn (author: born in S. Africa/ moved to Australia/ books set in S. Africa)
- In Pursuit of Miss Eliza Cynster: A Cynster Novel (author: lived in the UK/ moved to Australia/ book set in Scotland)
- The Shadow of the Wind (author: born in Spain/ moved to L.A./ book set in Spain)
- Reading Lolita in Tehran
- The Tiger's Wife
- Burmese Lessons: A true love story
- Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan

[mstan]

OK for A or C:
- Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan
- Burmese Lessons: A true love story
- My Life in France
- A Year in Provence
- No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
- Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
- In Pursuit of Miss Eliza Cynster: A Cynster Novel

Not approved for Option B (differing titles not in the same language)
- The Periodic Table/ Il Sistema Periodico
- Blaze of Memory/ Ruf der Vergangenheit
- The Shape of Water/ La forma dell'acqua

Clarification:
1) Definitions of what a country is should follow modern territorial/sovereignty agreements.

2) The UK can be defined as one country, and the countries (Northern Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland) within it can also be taken separately.

3) Translated works do not automatically work for option B. They need to carry at least two titles in ONE language (e.g. The Stranger/ The Outsider).

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

This help thread is now open!

[Bea]

I am having difficulty finding the information I need. Are there any helps? I seem to remember a link in the past on GR that showed the country settings. Is there any such link for authors birthplaces or where they live now?

[Bea]

Going through my bedside stack of TBR...would Seven Blessings: A Novel by Ruchama King Feuerman work for C?

My version of the book has the author's maiden name (Ruchama King). The jacket says that she lived in Israel for 10 years and now lives in New Jersey, USA.

The book seems to be set in Jerusalem.

[Jennifer]

For Part B, two that came to mind were Someone Knows My Name (US title)/The Book of Negroes (Canadian title) & I Am the Messenger (US & Canadian title)/The Messenger (Australian title).

[Rachel Lee]

Would In Pursuit of Miss Eliza Cynster: A Cynster Novel by Stephanie Laurens work for A? Stephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, but it was a British Colony and the setting of the book is the UK.


Edit: This book would actually work for C so I will try that. She lived in the UK for a while, and now lives in Australia.

[mstan]

Bea wrote: "Going through my bedside stack of TBR...would Seven Blessings: A Novel by Ruchama King Feuerman work for C?

My version of the book has the author's maiden name (Ruch..."

Hi Bea, Seven Blessings works just fine. I see from here that Feuerman lived in Israel for 10 years and is now in the US, so that would fit C. (I can't tell if she was born in Israel, so it may not fit A.)

As for help, some of these lists may help, but do note that not all of the books listed there will work, so it's best to check:
- Foreign Lands
- Favourite Travel Books
- Have Passport Will Travel

There are significant overlaps for Options A and C sometimes, so some books can work for either.

I am also assuming that the authors you are reading will have a bio somewhere, either on goodreads, or wikipedia or searchable on google, to check against.

For Option B, you may want to try this list - Best Foreign Non-English Book - though some other books can be released under different titles as well, even in their original language, English. You can check for different titles by viewing 'Other Editions' of the book title on the book page.

I'll add some more examples to post #2.

[Dee]

ohhh good task

[Dee]

I found this link on library thing that might help with option 2
http://www.librarything.com/topic/112243

from personal experience
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon was published as Cross-stitch in the UK
Seven Deadly Wonders - Matt Reilly - published as seven ancient wonders in australia
Little Bee - Chris Cleve - had a different name in the US, but i'm blanking on it

[Bea]

So it looks like The Periodic Table was originally printed in Itlaian as Il sistema periodico. Is "sistema" equivalent to the English word "system"? If so, then this book looks like it would have a different title and fit B.

And, thanks for the helps, mstan.

[mstan]

Rachel Lee wrote: "Would In Pursuit of Miss Eliza Cynster: A Cynster Novel by Stephanie Laurens work for A? Stephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, but it was a British Colony and the ..."

Hi Rachel, since Laurens was born in Sri Lanka but writes about Scotland, I'd accept this. For clarification: my definition of different countries = what are currently defined as different countries.

(As an aside, what you mention about Sri Lanka did get me thinking too because I come from Singapore, a former British colony as well :)

[Jennifer]

Alexander McCall Smith is an interesting author for this challenge.

He was born in Zimbabwe (formerly known as Rhodesia), taught at the University of Botswana, and now lives in Scotland.

His Ladies' Detective Agency series (set in Botswana), 44 Scotland Street series (set in Scotland), and Sunday Philosophy series (set in Scotland) all work for Part A.

The Ladies Detective Agency series also works for Part C.

[mstan]

Bea wrote: "So it looks like The Periodic Table was originally printed in Itlaian as Il sistema periodico. Is "sistema" equivalent to the English word "system"? If so, then thi..."

Hi Bea, no problem!

For Option B, the translated work needs to "carry several different titles in the translated language". That means 'Il sistema periodico' would need to have at least two different titles in English. Because it doesn't, it would not fit the task.

[mstan]

Dee wrote: "I found this link on library thing that might help with option 2

from personal experience
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon was published as Cross-stitch in the UK
Seven Deadly Wonders - Matt Reilly - pu..."

Thanks Dee!! I'll add these to the list.

[Dee]

I also just found Allison Goodman - her book The Two Pearls of Wisdom (australia), was published as Eon: Dragoneye Reborn and Rise of the Dragoneye according to http://rhondda.wordpress.com/2009/05/...

this link has a few as well - http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Bryce Courtenay writes about South Africa (The Power of One; Tandia; Whitethorn) - but now lives in the US

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Little Bee was the US title. It was also published as The Other Hand.

[Bea]

For A: Brasyl by Ian McDonald

The book is set in Brazil, and the author is from Manchester, UK.

[mstan]

Oh yes, historical fiction works well for A (and sometimes also C) too:

- Historical Fiction 2011
- Best Historical Fiction

*Disclaimer: Again, please check with me if the book you pick from these lists can be used as not all of them are suitable.

[kiki]

Dee wrote: Little Bee - Chris Cleve - had a different name in the US, but i'm blanking on it


it's Little Bee in the u.s., and it was called The Other Hand in the u.k.

[Jennifer]

For Part A & C...Out of Africa by Karen Blixen (pen name Isak Dineson)

Born in Denmark, the book is about her years in Kenya and she wrote it after she returned to Denmark.

[Riona]

so many good options for this one! i love it.

[Dee]

I started reading out of africa, and only got like 30 pages in, maybe i'll restart it again

[Dee]

that's what I meant ;)

kiki wrote: "Dee wrote: Little Bee - Chris Cleve - had a different name in the US, but i'm blanking on it


it's Little Bee in the u.s., and it was called The Other Hand in the u.k."

[Sheila]

I was wondering about Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier for A. She is US and story is in England

AND The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri for B. The Italian title is La forma dell'acqua

[kiki]

are you accepting non-fiction for part A?? i was thinking of reading The Zookeeper's Wife which is set in Poland, the author is from the U.S. thanks for your help! :)

[mstan]

Sheila - Burning Bright will work for A. For B, works that are translated do not automatically work UNLESS they have at least two titles in the translated language. Although The Shape of Water is also listed as 'Shape of Water' on goodreads, all the cover images I see in English still do carry the definite article 'The', so it will not work for the task.

Judy - The Tuesday Club Murders: A Miss Marple Mystery/ The Thirteen Problems works just fine for B.

kiki - Yup, The Zookeeper's Wife will work for A.

[Sheila]

OK mstan I'm still trying to figure out a book for B. How about this oneIvan Takes a Wife which was also published as Love Overboard

[mstan]

Sheila wrote: "OK mstan I'm still trying to figure out a book for B. How about this oneIvan Takes a Wife which was also published as Love Overboard"

Sheila - that one works!

[Sheila]

Thank you so much

[kiki]

great, thanks! :)

[Dee]

mstan - just wanted to check on Lucifer's Tears for A - he grew up in the US, and moved to Finland 11 years - the books are set in Finalnd - if I read it right, it works...

[mstan]

Dee wrote: "mstan - just wanted to check on Lucifer's Tears for A - he grew up in the US, and moved to Finland 11 years - the books are set in Finalnd - if I read it right, it works..."

Hi Dee - you're right!

[Aleksandra]

Would Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro work for A? born in Japan and book is set up in UK

[mstan]

Aleksandra wrote: "Would Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro work for A? born in Japan and book is set up in UK"

Yup Aleksandra - and I think this is such an interesting choice! I have always been amazed that
The Remains of the Day was written by this Japan-born Britishman!

[Dee]

thanks mstan! I picked it up at a library sale and been trying to find a way to fit it in

[Hettie]

mstan this is a great idea for a task.

I hope that I have got it right and these books will fit.

I thought Salmon Fishing in the Yemen for A. Author is British and book is set in Yemen and middle east.

And for c Reading Lolita in Tehran. Author born in Iran but now lives in the US.

[mstan]

Hello Hettie, both work, and both sound really interesting!

Thanks for your comment; I came up with the task because I sometimes have trouble fitting certain books within my 'by country' shelves.

[Jody]

The Tiger's Wife
I think this works for c? The author was born in Yugoslavia, now lives in the US. The book is set in the Balkans region.

[JennRenee, Moderator]

will work for option a

[mstan]

Jenn Renee - it sounds like most of the book takes place in France while the author was born in the US so I'll take it for A.

Jody - go for it!

[Laurie]

Laurie ME

Would The Satanic Verses work for A? Much of the book takes place in England and Salman Rushdie is from India. A very small part does take place in India.

[mstan]

Hi Laurie, since England plays a pivotal role in the novel and Rushdie was born in India, I'll take it :)

[Laurie]

mstan wrote: "Hi Laurie, since England plays a pivotal role in the novel and Rushdie was born in India, I'll take it :)"

Thank you!

[★Meghan★]

I don't know if this will work...40 Love but is also known as The Tennis Party???? I got it as a giveaway and want to fit it in somewhere.

[Usako]

I need to laugh because I finished most of my books that fit this challenge from my unread pile. Luckily, I did manage to find one by investigating the web.

FOR OPTION C:
Burmese Lessons: A true love story - the author lived in Burma for a year and wrote about her time there.

I would recommend My Life in France and Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan.

And then for OPTION B:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (original title in Swedish: Män som hatar kvinnor – "Men Who Hate Women") So those who want to start on this trilogy can.

[Amy W]

Would science fiction work for Part A? I'm thinking of The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi. It's set in a future Thailand and the author is from the U.S.

[mstan]

Meghan - go for it!

Usako - Burmese Lessons is fine and Learning to Bow sounds really interesting! But for Option B, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo will not work unless it has another English title (which currently I can't find from looking at the list of different editions).

Amy W - yup, sci-fi is okay if the setting is clearly identified as what is currently defined as a country.

[Sassafrass]

ok, I am trying this challenge for the first time, but I have some questions.

For part A: does time period matter? I am thinking of doing It Happened One Autumn which is set in England but it's historical. The author is American though.

For part B: Is it ok if the book title is in another language but the translation is different than the US title.

for example. Nalini Singh's Blaze of Memory is the US title but Ruf der Vergangenheit in Germany which translates to "Blast from the Past".


Thanks for your help!