Caroline Croskery finds delight in translation of Iranian books

TEHRAN – The American translator of the Persian literature, Caroline Croskery, says she has enjoyed her job in its real meaning. 

 

She made the remarks during a session at Iran’s booth at the Frankfurt Book Fair on Thursday.

 

“Democracy or DemoCrazy” by Mehdi Shojaei, “The Big Clay Jar” by Hushang Moradi Kermani and “Redfish” by Katayun Riahi, which were all translated into English by Croskery, were introduced at the session.

 

“I encountered stories written in a satirical atmosphere and bearing social roots that the authors were trying to convey to the readers,” Croskery said at Iran’s pavilion at Frankfurt Book Fair on Thursday.

 

Croskery also mentioned that stories are funny, even in their English versions, and that they try to show values.

 

The session was arranged by Candle and Fog, the London-based Iranian publisher of the books, to promote their English versions at the fair.

 

Expressing his thanks to Croskery, Shojaei said, “Translations do not always come out well, but the model I chose with Ms. Croskery, was based on her conception of the original text, and then we tried to substitute the spirit of the concept in the translated text.”

 

“We do not need to be far away from our real selves and forget our culture and civilization in order to offer an international work,” Moradi Kermani next said, adding, “We need to share our culture with the world and to teach them things about Iran.”

 

“Redfish” author Riahi also made a brief speech saying the book was written thirty years ago. “The book tells the story of the little fish who know that beside the little pond they are living in, there should be a new way to reach the sea.”

 

The Frankfurt Book Fair will run until October 12.

 

 

 

RM/YAW

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