10 Outstanding Translated Books by Women Writers to Read Now
Discover 10 outstanding translated books by women writers that will transport you across cultures and continents. Perfect for readers looking to explore diverse voices in literature.
10 Translated Books by Women Writers You’ll Never Forget
If you’ve ever finished a book and thought, I wish I could experience a whole new way of seeing the world, translated books is the perfect place to start. It’s a passport into other cultures, perspectives, and storytelling traditions—all without leaving your reading chair.
Over the years, I’ve made it a point to read more books in translation, especially by women writers. These stories feel fresh and urgent, often tackling themes in ways I wouldn’t have encountered in English-language publishing. Some are lyrical and quiet, others gripping and unsettling, but all of them stayed with me long after the last page.
Here are ten translated books by women writers that I think every reader should experience at least once.
10 Translated Books by Women Writers
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones
In a remote Polish village, Janina, a reclusive woman obsessed with astrology and fiercely protective of animals, notices a pattern in a series of mysterious deaths. As she tries to convince others of her theory, she’s dismissed as eccentric—yet her conviction never wavers. I picked this up for its dark, wintry atmosphere and ended up staying for its sharp social commentary. Perfect for readers who love unconventional heroines, literary mysteries, and moral questions that linger. It made me rethink the line between justice and vengeance.
You can get a copy of Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead on Amazon or Bookshop.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori
Keiko Furukura has worked in the same Tokyo convenience store for eighteen years, finding quiet fulfillment in its routines. But when family and society pressure her to follow a more “normal” path, she’s forced to examine what truly makes a life meaningful. I love this book for its deadpan humor and gentle defiance—it’s for readers who’ve ever felt out of step with the world. It left me feeling oddly comforted and more protective of my own quirks.
You can get a copy of Convenience Store Woman on Amazon or Bookshop.
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell
Amanda lies dying in a rural clinic, speaking urgently to a young boy named David. Their conversation unfurls a disturbing tale of environmental damage, parental love, and invisible danger. This slim novel is surreal, eerie, and impossible to put down. I chose it for its unique structure and the way it blurs reality and nightmare. If you like psychological tension with a hint of the supernatural, you’ll race through this one.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldstein
In a working-class Naples neighborhood of the 1950s, two girls—Lila, brilliant and unpredictable, and Elena, the quiet narrator—forge a friendship that will shape their entire lives. This first book in Ferrante’s Neapolitan series captures the raw intensity of growing up, chasing ambition, and loving someone even when the relationship is complicated. I read it slowly, savoring the details, and I still think about Lila and Elena years later. Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven sagas and richly drawn settings. My Brilliant Friend is book one in the Neapolitan Novels.
You can get a copy of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante on Amazon or Bookshop.
Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez, translated by Megan McDowell
Set in contemporary Argentina, these short stories blend horror with biting social commentary. Enriquez writes about poverty, inequality, and violence with a voice that’s both fearless and mesmerizing. I picked this up expecting to be unsettled—and I was—but I also found it hauntingly beautiful. Ideal for readers who like literary fiction with a dark edge.
You can get a copy of Things We Lost in the Fire on Amazon or Bookshop.
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The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated by Susan Bernofsky
What if one small twist of fate changed everything? This novel imagines five different versions of the same woman’s life, each ending in a different death. Erpenbeck’s writing is elegant and thought-provoking, asking how history and personal choice shape who we become. I loved how it made me think about the fragility of life and the weight of tiny decisions. For readers who enjoy ambitious narrative structures.
You can get a copy of The End of Days on Amazon or Bookshop.
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, translated by Magda Bogin
Following three generations of the Trueba family, this sweeping novel combines magical realism with Chilean history. It’s lush, dramatic, and unforgettable. I first read it years ago, and every time I revisit it, I discover new layers. If you love multigenerational family sagas with a touch of the mystical, this is for you.
You can get a copy of The House of the Spirits on Amazon.
Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa by Stephen Snyder
When a teenage girl working at her mother’s seaside hotel becomes involved with an older man, her world is transformed in unsettling ways. Ogawa’s prose is spare but charged with emotion. I picked it up for its brevity and stayed for its exploration of intimacy, power, and control. It’s for readers who appreciate quiet, intense psychological fiction.
You can get a copy of on Amazon.
Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi, translated by Marilyn Booth
In a small Omani village, three sisters make very different choices about love, marriage, and freedom. Through their stories, the novel explores family, tradition, and the shifting roles of women in modern Oman. I loved how it expanded my understanding of a culture I knew little about. Perfect for fans of multigenerational narratives and global perspectives.
You can get a copy of on Amazon.
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, translated by Simon Pare
Bookseller Jean Perdu runs a floating bookstore on the Seine, prescribing the perfect book to heal each customer’s heartache—but struggles to mend his own. This story is warm, hopeful, and a reminder of the power of stories to transform us. I included it because it’s a love letter to both books and life’s second chances. Perfect for readers who want something cozy yet profound.
You can get a copy of on Amazon.
Have you read any of these translated books by women?
What are some of your favorite translated books written by women? Let me know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions about books by women in translation in the comments below!
