The Paris Review
“The Uncanny Double: An Interview with Megan McDowell”
Translation is a creative practice, it’s subjective. It can be done to varying degrees of success, sure, but I reject the idea that a translation is inherently inferior to its original. After all, any book is a translation of its writer’s thoughts—things are added or forgotten in the process of transfer from brain to page. But you have to take the final piece as it is rather than as a reflection of some kind of hallowed platonic ideal.
“The Uncanny Double: An Interview with Megan McDowell”
Translation is a creative practice, it’s subjective. It can be done to varying degrees of success, sure, but I reject the idea that a translation is inherently inferior to its original. After all, any book is a translation of its writer’s thoughts—things are added or forgotten in the process of transfer from brain to page. But you have to take the final piece as it is rather than as a reflection of some kind of hallowed platonic ideal.
LitHub, “The Making of a Tireless Literary Translator” by Nate McNamara.
McDowell is the most selfless sort of artist there is. She’s a brilliant writer who has dedicated her mind, time, and creativity—her entire life—to lifting up the work of other people. Fortunately for English readers, it sounds like she’s about to have another exhausting year.
McDowell is the most selfless sort of artist there is. She’s a brilliant writer who has dedicated her mind, time, and creativity—her entire life—to lifting up the work of other people. Fortunately for English readers, it sounds like she’s about to have another exhausting year.
Paula, “Megan McDowell, la traductora,” entrevista con Marcela Fuentealba.
La versión inglesa del libro Distancia de rescate de la argentina Samanta Schweblin se llama Fever Dream y está nominado al premio Booker. La responsable de traducirlo es una estadounidense que vive en Chile y que también ha trabajado con Alejandro Zambra y Lina Meruane, entre otros. Aquí, habla de la nueva literatura latinoamericana.
La versión inglesa del libro Distancia de rescate de la argentina Samanta Schweblin se llama Fever Dream y está nominado al premio Booker. La responsable de traducirlo es una estadounidense que vive en Chile y que también ha trabajado con Alejandro Zambra y Lina Meruane, entre otros. Aquí, habla de la nueva literatura latinoamericana.
BBC Weekend: Man Booker International Shortlist 2017. Interview Samanta Schweblin and Megan McDowell
The winner of the Man Booker International Prize is announced in June 2017. Significantly, the $64,000 prize money is divided equally between the author and the translator. In a series of interviews leading up the announcement, BBC Weekend is speaking to the authors and translators of all six shortlisted books.
In this interview Paul Henley talks to the Argentinian author Samanta Schweblin, who wrote 'Fever Dream', and the English translator of the novel, Megan McDowell.
The winner of the Man Booker International Prize is announced in June 2017. Significantly, the $64,000 prize money is divided equally between the author and the translator. In a series of interviews leading up the announcement, BBC Weekend is speaking to the authors and translators of all six shortlisted books.
In this interview Paul Henley talks to the Argentinian author Samanta Schweblin, who wrote 'Fever Dream', and the English translator of the novel, Megan McDowell.
WWB Daily,
“2017 Man Booker International Prize Q&A”
Fever Dream is not like any book I’ve ever read before. I’d say it’s the best kind of psychological horror in its way of delving into the soft and vulnerable parts of our anxieties. In the process of a sincere examination of things most of us would rather not look at head on, it leaves us raw.
“2017 Man Booker International Prize Q&A”
Fever Dream is not like any book I’ve ever read before. I’d say it’s the best kind of psychological horror in its way of delving into the soft and vulnerable parts of our anxieties. In the process of a sincere examination of things most of us would rather not look at head on, it leaves us raw.
Financial Times, “Why Readers are Embracing Translation,” by Deborah Smith.
Every translator named here has earned their stripes through equal parts talent and graft, and imposter syndrome cannot be unique to latecomers like myself and McDowell, who admits to doubting her own qualifications: “What business does a hick from Kentucky have sticking her nose into Latin American literature?
Every translator named here has earned their stripes through equal parts talent and graft, and imposter syndrome cannot be unique to latecomers like myself and McDowell, who admits to doubting her own qualifications: “What business does a hick from Kentucky have sticking her nose into Latin American literature?
La Segunda, "Traductora de Zambra cuenta el embrollo de versionar el "hueon" en EE.UU."
En el último tiempo en EE.UU. los traductores se están volviendo tan importantes como los autores. Al punto que su nombre aparece destacado en el libro. Eso le pasa a Megan McDowell (37) y su trabajo con Alejandro Zambra.
En el último tiempo en EE.UU. los traductores se están volviendo tan importantes como los autores. Al punto que su nombre aparece destacado en el libro. Eso le pasa a Megan McDowell (37) y su trabajo con Alejandro Zambra.
The Literary Tourist interviews Megan McDowell about Fever Dream
"There are all kinds of questions like that without simple answers; the answers seem just out of reach, and our search for them makes the book feel urgent and creepy and disorienting."
"There are all kinds of questions like that without simple answers; the answers seem just out of reach, and our search for them makes the book feel urgent and creepy and disorienting."
Foreward Reviews Interview: "Reading Globally with Megan McDowell"
"McDowell’s work is regularly pointed out by our reviewers, for its skill and its particular magic, so we thought we’d ask her what brought her to translation work, and what challenges and rewards it yields."
"McDowell’s work is regularly pointed out by our reviewers, for its skill and its particular magic, so we thought we’d ask her what brought her to translation work, and what challenges and rewards it yields."
"Genuine, intimate, provocative:" A word from the translator with Megan McDowell. Interview on English PEN about Ways of Going Home.
An excerpt from the novel Dead Stars, by Álvaro Bisama, from Ox And Pigeon Press, on B O D Y.
World Literature Today's list of 75 Notable Translations of 2013 includes Ways of Going Home and La Vida Doble: A Novel.
Translation Notes: Under This Terrible Sun
Our Translation Notes series invites literary translators to describe the process of bringing a recent book of fiction into English. In this installment, Megan McDowell writes about translating Under This Terrible Sun by Carlos Busqued (Frisch & Co.).
Our Translation Notes series invites literary translators to describe the process of bringing a recent book of fiction into English. In this installment, Megan McDowell writes about translating Under This Terrible Sun by Carlos Busqued (Frisch & Co.).
An Interview with Arturo Fontaine by translator Megan McDowell.
"My challenge was to find a language that could transmit the experience of horror with the immediacy of the real."
"My challenge was to find a language that could transmit the experience of horror with the immediacy of the real."
Ways of Going Home wins English Pen Award for Writing in Translation.
The Award uniquely recognises translated works of fiction, non-fiction or poetry which contribute to inter-cultural understanding and promote freedom of expression
The Award uniquely recognises translated works of fiction, non-fiction or poetry which contribute to inter-cultural understanding and promote freedom of expression
Culture Trip, “20 Translators Under 40”
Maybe it’s obvious, but I look for books that will be fun to read over and over again, because that’s what translation entails; if they don’t hold up under that kind of scrutiny, the translation can get onerous.
Maybe it’s obvious, but I look for books that will be fun to read over and over again, because that’s what translation entails; if they don’t hold up under that kind of scrutiny, the translation can get onerous.