Roundup of Recent Translated Fiction: Minihorror, Paradise Burns, Hafni Says, and Googling for Soul

This collection of very short stories brings an eccentric and fantastical perspective to life. The protagonists, Mini and Miki, navigate their relationship in Austria as they visit their families. In one instance, Mini is compelled to climb down into a pit, leading to a misunderstanding when Miki assumes her comment about being “dragged down” is metaphorical. Another story features a drawing of a dog that magically comes to life and attacks Mini. The narrative oscillates between light-hearted moments, such as the couple enjoying themselves like an advertisement, and darker themes, like a hair dye mishap that leaves Mini looking disheveled. "Minihorror" fuses comic gloom with spirited energy, questioning the nature of life’s goodness and badness.

"Paradise Burns" by Pol Guasch, translated by Mara Faye Lethem (Peninsula, £12.99)

In this novel, Catalan author Guasch explores the complexity of storytelling within a climate-changed world, highlighting the fluidity between past and present as well as various narrators. The story centers on Rita and her deceased friend Líton, exploring memories and relationships against a backdrop of men joining a firefighting service in a bleak setting where winter is only marked by shorter days. The jumpy narrative structure incorporates Rita’s childhood diary and neighborhood dynamics, ultimately paying homage to the importance of friendship amidst life’s uncertainties.

"Hafni Says" by Helle Helle, translated by Martin Aitken (Akoya, £12.99)

At age 48, Hafni embarks on a road trip through Denmark to leave her husband, a decision that allows her to reflect on her past obligations and the liberation of being independent. She details her journey, from mundane realities like laundry to encounters with new people, including a terminally ill woman striving to maintain optimism. Hafni’s exploration of her identity captures the internal struggle of wanting to change while grappling with fear and hope.

"Googling for Soul" by Hamid Ismailov, translated by Shelley Fairweather-Vega, Dani Ismailov, Irina Buss-Zolotareva, and Andrew Bromfield (Glagoslav, £17.99)

This collection focuses on the experiences of Uzbeks, many of whom face exile in Russia. The title story reflects a man's belief that his life mirrors an Andrey Platonov narrative, intertwined with his concerns about the author's past, having fled Uzbekistan in 1992 due to political persecution. Other tales feature characters in absurd and challenging situations, depicting dark humor and action, culminating in the insightful interplay of seriousness and levity that characterizes Ismailov’s writing.