Translated Books 2021: Must-Read Women in Translation from Around the World
Translated books allow us to be more inclusive of writers from different backgrounds. Let’s celebrate the power of storytelling to expand our understanding of humanity.
2021 Women in Translation Books That Belong on Your Reading List
For me, reading translated books is like opening a window into another world—without ever leaving my couch. These stories expand my understanding of humanity, challenge my perspectives, and introduce me to writing styles I might never encounter otherwise. And 2021 was a fantastic year for translated books by women, with titles that span continents, genres, and emotional registers.
Whether you love gripping thrillers, moving memoirs, or lyrical literary fiction, this list is packed with gems that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
10 Translated Books
My Brilliant Life by Ae-ran Kim, Translated by Chi-Young Kim
In this tender South Korean novel, sixteen-year-old Areum, who was born with a rare aging disease, reflects on his life as his health declines. His parents, who had him when they were just teenagers, share a bond built on humor, resilience, and unconditional love. I picked this one because it’s a heartbreaker that still manages to be life-affirming—perfect for readers who love family-centered stories like A Man Called Ove. It left me feeling grateful for every small, beautiful moment.
You can get a copy of My Brilliant Life by Ae-ran Kim, Translated by Chi-Young Kim on Amazon or Bookshop.
Childhood by Tove Ditlevsen, Translated by Tiina Nunnally
The first book in Danish poet Tove Ditlevsen’s Copenhagen Trilogy, Childhood is a raw and lyrical memoir about growing up in a working-class neighborhood and dreaming of a life in literature. Ditlevsen’s honesty about her early ambitions, limitations, and family dynamics drew me in immediately. I recommend it to readers who appreciate introspective memoirs like Educated—it made me reflect on my own earliest creative dreams.
You can get a copy of Childhood by Tove Ditlevsen, Translated by Tiina Nunnally on Amazon or Bookshop.
Consent by Vanessa Springora, Translated by Natasha Lehrer
In this powerful memoir, French publisher Vanessa Springora tells her story of being groomed at fourteen by a celebrated older writer—and the culture that enabled it. Her account is both deeply personal and culturally significant, making it a cornerstone in the global #MeToo conversation. I included it because it’s a book that demands to be read and discussed, especially for readers who seek narratives of resilience and systemic reckoning. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a necessary one.
You can get a copy of Consent by Vanessa Springora, Translated by Natasha Lehrer on Amazon or Bookshop.
American Delirium by Betina González, Translated by Heather Cleary
Set in a small Midwestern town overtaken by hallucinogenic plants and wild deer, this Argentine novel follows three unlikely characters whose lives collide in strange and unexpected ways. I loved how it blends magical realism with social commentary—it’s for readers who like their fiction weird, vivid, and politically sharp, like Fever Dream or The Left Hand of Darkness. It made me think about the delicate balance between human life and nature.
You can get a copy of American Delirium by Betina González, Translated by Heather Cleary on Amazon or Bookshop.
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten, Translated by Alexandra Fleming
This Swedish thriller follows a documentary filmmaker investigating the mysterious disappearance of an entire village in 1959—including her grandmother’s family. Creepy, atmospheric, and impossible to put down, it’s a must for readers who love slow-burn horror and locked-room mysteries. I read it in one weekend and kept glancing over my shoulder the whole time.
You can get a copy of The Lost Village by Camilla Sten, Translated by Alexandra Fleming on Amazon or Bookshop.
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Painting Time by Maylis de Kerangal, Translated by Jessica Moore
In this French coming-of-age novel, Paula Karst attends a decorative painting school in Brussels, where she learns to replicate marble, wood, and stone. It’s a novel about devotion to craft and finding meaning in art’s details. I chose it because it’s meditative and lush—ideal for readers who loved The Goldfinch. It left me wanting to create something with my own hands.
You can get a copy of Painting Time by Maylis de Kerangal, Translated by Jessica Moore on Amazon or Bookshop.
Shoko’s Smile by Choi Eunyoung, Translated by Sung Ryu
This Korean short story collection explores love, loss, and friendship with unflinching honesty. The title story, about a complicated bond between two women, stayed with me for days. I recommend it for fans of Sally Rooney and Banana Yoshimoto. The emotional precision here is stunning—it’s like reading a perfectly cut gem.
You can get a copy of Shoko’s Smile by Choi Eunyoung, Translated by Sung Ryu on Amazon or Bookshop.
The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura, Translated by Lucy North
Taut, unsettling, and oddly funny, this Japanese novella follows a narrator obsessed with a mysterious woman in a purple skirt. It’s about loneliness, envy, and the desperate desire to be noticed. I picked it because it’s short, sharp, and unforgettable—perfect for readers who liked Convenience Store Woman. It made me question how well we ever really know the people around us.
You can get a copy of The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura, Translated by Lucy North on Amazon or Bookshop.
What You Can See from Here by Mariana Leky, Translated by Tess Lewis
In this German bestseller, Selma’s dreams of an okapi always signal that someone will die. Against this backdrop, her granddaughter navigates love, loss, and the eccentricities of her small village. This book is for anyone who loves whimsical, heartwarming stories like The Little Paris Bookshop. It made me want to linger in its quirky world forever.
You can get a copy of What You Can See from Here by Mariana Leky, Translated by Tess Lewis on Amazon or Bookshop.
I Was Never the First Lady by Wendy Guerra, Translated by Alicia Achy Obejas
This Cuban novel follows Nadia Guerra, a radio host whose life in Havana shifts when she wins a scholarship in Russia and begins searching for her long-lost parents. Woven into her journey is the story of Celia Sánchez, a revolutionary figure, blurring the lines between personal and political history. I recommend it to readers who enjoy layered narratives like In the Time of the Butterflies. It left me thinking about how history shapes identity.
You can get a copy of I Was Never the First Lady by Wendy Guerra, Translated by Alicia Achy Obejas on Amazon or Bookshop.
What do you think of these 2021 translated books by women writers?
If you’ve been meaning to read more translated books, 2021 offered an incredible range of voices and styles to explore. Whether you gravitate toward intimate memoirs, spine-tingling mysteries, or lyrical literary fiction, these women in translation bring fresh perspectives that can change how you see the world.
So—have you read any of these? Which one will you pick up next?
From this list I recently read American Delirium and What You Can See from Here. I also enjoyed Love in Case of Emergency!
Hi Tiffany, Thank you so much for sharing!!!