Translator's Choice 2020 1
25 Translator’s choice Why does this book deserve
to be translated? Three young Muslims are on their way to commit a terrorist attack on a comic book shop in Gothenburg. Their target: the artist Göran Loberg, famous for his controversial caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. Only one of the terrorists survives the attack and two years later she states that she is from the future. A future in which all adults in Sweden are forced to sign a citizen’s contract. Beyond obeying laws, the contract also requires every individual to respect Swedish culture and give up any other cultural values they might hold (Jews and Muslims, for example, are not allowed to eat kosher or halal meat). Any breach of the contract means that you are declared an enemy of Sweden, that you lose your citizenship, and that you’ll be placed in a camp called ‘Kaningården’ (The Rabbit Yard). Trying to leave the camp means signing your own death warrant. This novel transcends genre. Johannes Anyuru paints a picture of a believable dystopia. He tests out different positions in regard to some of Europe’s most burning contemporary social issues. This is a Europe where hatred for Muslims is ever-growing, where right-wing populist ideas are spreading, and where the individual’s freedom of expression is being curtailed. They Will Drown in Their Mothers’ Tears is a piece of social criticism that leaves a powerful impression, gives you a lot to reflect upon and poses three universal questions: where do we come from, who are we, and where are we heading? “Anyuru paints a picture of a believable dystopia” Edin Badic Edin Badic translates into Croatian, lives in Zagreb, Croatia Two other favourites amongst books he has previously translated are: Tove Alsterdal Blindtunnel, novel, 2019 Tunel bez izlaza, Znanje, 2020 Swedish publisher: Lind & Company Rights: Ahlander Agency Stefan Ahnhem Den nionde graven, novel, 2015 Deveti grob, Znanje, 2020 Swedish publisher: Bokförlaget Forum Rights: Salomonsson Agency