When her second novel became a surprise bestseller in Germany, author Sally Koslow realized it really was a small world, after all. Read on to discover why The Late, Lamented Molly Marx (out in paperback this month) became such a hit with German readers—and for a chance to win a copy of the novel yourself!
It’s a small world after all
Guest post by Sally Koslow
If you’re American, you don’t have to be Jewish to know a bagel. You’ll find one in the same supermarket that sells hallah and rugelah. You’ve also probably said klutz or chutzpah, words as familiar to you as schmuck. Hollywood, in fact, has deemed the latter Yiddish epithet so widely understood that soon Dinner for Schmucks will hit theaters, starring Steve Carell. Borscht Belt quips have become as American as Disney World, where even 20 years ago a guide casually dropped schlep into a conversation.
When my second novel, The Late, Lamented Molly Marx, was published last summer in Germany, however, my editor felt the need to add a glossary defining these words along with names of Jewish holidays. (Purim is Freudenfest zur Erinnerung an die Errentung der Juden durch Konnigen Esther: no one ever accused German of brevity.) Yet quicker than you can say “oy,” Ich, Molly Marx, Kurzlich Verstorben became a bestseller.
Why would a novel so American that Target made it a Club Pick become the season’s hot weiner schnitzel?
Was it because the story is “a comic romp through the afterlife” (More), “funny and poignant” (Life & Style Weekly) or “has a fabulous first line: ‘When I imagined your funeral, this wasn’t what I had in mind.’”(Real Simple.) As the author, I’d like to think these factors contributed to strong sales, though I’m guessing there’s an additional reason: Molly is Jewish. We’re not talking a be-wigged Chassidic mama with eight kids under the age of nine. Molly is a garden variety, go-to-Temple-on-the-High-Holidays Jew with processed blond hair.
Recently, a friend described a scene in Berlin, where people—predominantly young—stood in line to see A Serious Man, Ethan and Joel Coen’s cinematic tribute to the Jewish life of their upper Midwest childhood. (Mine, too!) German audience are apparently hungry for accessible cultural experiences that reveal how Jews—a number that in Germany is a fraction of the pre-Holocaust headcount—live, laugh and love. This, I’m sure, is one big reason why The Late, Lamented Molly Marx has been a German success. Woven into its heartfelt narrative about motherhood, marriage and adultery is a vivid picture of a typical American woman who happens to be Jewish, a woman most likely very much like female German readers.
In all of my novels—including With Friends like These, out in August—I try to create portraits of women who remind you of your sister, your friend and yourself. That German audiences have embraced Molly Marx is a fine reason to say danke. It’s a small world after all, and what better way to understand it than through books?
Sally Koslow is the author of The Late, Lamented Molly Marx, a Target Club Pick, and With Friends like These, out August 10. You can read excerpts of her novels at sallykoslow.com.
Now it’s your turn: To enter to win a copy of The Late, Lamented Molly Marx (read our review here), leave a comment telling us about your favorite novel-in-translation. Was it The Elegance of the Hedgehog? or a classic like Madame Bovary or Anna Karenina?
Right now, I’d have to stick with the Stieg Larsson books as translations that don’t skip a beat.
My favorite is the Stieg Larsson books, but I am looking forward to reading the Sally Koslow books.
Sarah’s Key
When asked to pick a novel in translation I would definitely choose Anna Karenina. It is a fabulous classic novel. Experience the story and the writing style and you will understand why they call it a classic.
My ultimate choice for a novel in translation would be The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
Although I haven’t read it yet, I’ve heard that Sarah’s Key is very good. It’s on my TBR list!
I would have to choose “Anna Karenia” as my favorite. It was one of the best that our Classic Book Club has read. I loved it!
Anna Karenina is my all time favourite novel. I have read it in many languages and find myself returning to it time and time again.
“100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Anna Karenina is a favorite. More recently, The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
Hi Sally – we met at W Bloomfield, MI JCC Book Fair! I very much enjoyed The Elegance of the Hedgehog!
Yes, we met in West Bloomfield. That was a great event for Little Pink Slips. Hope you’ll read The Late, Lamented Molly Marx!
All best, Sally
I couldn’t finish “100 Years of Solitude” but I loved “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Also love the Stieg Larsson books.
Steig Larsson is my favorite right now. Can’t wait for the third book! Looking forward to reading Sally Koslow’s new books…………
I fell in love with Benjamin Alire Saenz’ Carry Me Like Water because of the richness and clarity of emotion expressed in the book. There was also a quality of magic about the book that wound its way through the sadness and ended up making you feel at peace with the novel when you were done reading it.
sarah’s key
Sarah’s Key
The millenium trilogy are my favorite translated books.
I did looooooove The Elegance of the Hedgehog, but I think my favorite is Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky.
I’VE NEVER READ A BOOK BY THIS AUTHOR, BUT IT SOUNDS INTERESTING. ALITTLE DRAMA MIXED WITH COMIC RELIEF. I LOOK FORWARD TO READING IT.
Tranquility by Attila Bartis. It’s a dark story about a writer and his strange relationship with his mother. It’s totally different than anything else I’ve ever read. After that, I’d say The Brothers Karamazov, because I feel it was a love story that stretches across time to keep us wanting Dmitri to be loved.
I’ve read and liked Sarah’s Key, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and Anna Karenina, but it will be tough to surpass The Count of Monte Cristo as the best translated book.
I am a huge fan of Isabelle Allende. Daughter of Fortune is my favorite, although I love House of the Spirits, too.
Shadow of the Wind, definitely one of my favorites, but now I’m into the Stieg Larsson books. I’m just now starting The Elegance of the Hedgehog, so I’ll throw that in as something I know I’m going to enjoy!
Sarah’s Key by Taitiana de Rosnay absolutely!
I adore the Diary/Tagebuch of Anne Frank…my favorite Buch auf Deutsch ist Wir Kinder von Bahnhof Zoo!
Sarah’s Key – unforgettable!
I just read The Solitude of Prime Numbers and while I didn’t particularly love it, it sure has stuck with me. That probably says something about the writing in general.
Steig Larsson’s is on my shelf just waiting to be read.
Like Water for Chocolate has to be one of my favorites although the Stieg Larsson books are on my summer reading list. So glad I stopped by this page, have so many new ideas for books now.
I loved Kafka on the Shore and am looking forward to expanding my reading horizons.
Thanks for the giveaway!
stieg larrson is my favorite author right now…and this one of my favorite contests.thank you!
Carlos Ruiz Zafon: Shadow of the Wind
(Sarah’s Key was also excellent)