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"The Four Hundred Pleats" by Greek author Amanda Michalopoulou

"The Wig Maker" by Welsh author Vanessa Gebbie

The Women of Nordic Crime: A Dozen Mavens of Murder

Welcome readers to our latest issue, filled, as always, with great writing by women from around the world. We are delighted to present two short stories for your reading pleasure. Additionally, we've put together an overview of twelve Nordic crime writers, and feature an intriguing discussion of Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto's short novel, Kitchen. Seventeen reviews by our global readers grace this issue, as do over sixty New & Notable books (we've given Canada their own New & Notable section). We are pleased to note that thirteen of the twenty 2011 Orange Prize longlisted books were featured on these pages during the course of the last year! We always aim to provide excellent reading and find interesting books for all of our devoted readers!

Reviews
Click on 'Reviews' to see the full list of this issue's reviews...
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THE CALLIGRAPHER'S NIGHT
Yasmine Ghata
Translated from the French by Andrew Brown

In language at times reminiscent of the intricacy of calligraphic script, The Calligrapher's Night tells the story of Rikkat Kunt, the author's grandmother. Beginning with her death in 1986 and going back to the years of her youth, Rikkat narrates her life through much of Turkey's eventful 20th century history.
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Reviewed by Paola Sergi
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FAREWELLS TO PLASMA
Natasza Goerke
Translated from the Polish by W. Martin

Twisted Spoon is an English language publisher of Eastern European literature, based in Prague. Their mission, according to their website, includes the translation of 'eclectic and unique' works previously denied to English readers. Enter Natasza Goerke.
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Reviewed by Andy Barnes
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THE CHARACTER OF RAIN
Amélie Nothomb
Translated from the the French by Timothy Bent

In the beginning was nothing, and this nothing had neither form nor substance—it was nothing other than what it was. So begins this autobiographical novel of the author's first three years of life, which was originally published as "Métaphysique des Tubes" ("The Metaphysics of Tubes") in 2000, and released in English translation with a far less apt title two years later.
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Reviewed by Darryl Morris
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FROM THE LAND OF THE MOON
Milena Agus
Translated from the Italian by Ann Goldstein

Every once in a while you come across a small gem of a novel, a novella really, that just captivates you: Rebecca West's The Return of the Soldier comes to mind or Chingiz Aïtmatov's Jamilia. They draw you in, mesmerize you a little and, before you realize it, you're on the last page. Milena Agus' From the Land of the Moon is just such a book.
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Reviewed by Tad Deffler
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A RIOT OF GOLDFISH
Kanoko Okamoto
Translated from the Japanese by J. Keith Vincent

The story "A Riot of Goldfish," traces Mataichi, the son of a goldfish breeder, through his lifelong struggles with his unrequited love for the daughter of the family's patron. He loves Masako, but she loves goldfish.
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Reviewed by Joyce Nickel


CONVERSATIONS:
Book Cover: Kitchen
Three readers discuss Banana Yoshimoto's Kitchen
If Written By a Woman
Visit our new Belletrista blog!
The Caine Prize for African Writing 2011 – shortlist announced

The shortlist for this year’s Caine Prize has just been announced and three women are in the running for the prestigious award. This is always an exciting time of year – the Prize is a great way to discover short stories by excellent writers. Lucky for us, the Prize’s website links to a copy of …Read the Rest