Megan McDowell: A Dedicated Literary Translator in Chile

McDowell began working on the translation of Carlos Fonseca’s novel Colonel Lágrimas, which tells the story of a mathematician living in the Pyrenees, during a visit to Switzerland in 2012, and it was published in 2016 by Restless Books. Another project from that period was Lina Meruane’s Seeing Red, exploring the experience of near-blindness. McDowell not only translated the work but also collaborated with Meruane to secure an American publisher, eventually leading to its release by Deep Vellum in February 2016.

The other six books she has translated include Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin (Riverhead), Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez (Hogarth), Camanchaca by Diego Zúñiga (Coffee House), Divorce Is in the Air by Gonzalo Torné (Knopf), and both My Documents (McSweeney’s) and Multiple Choice (Penguin) by Alejandro Zambra.

McDowell describes translation as akin to “creative reading,” requiring a deep engagement with the text to authentically recreate it. Her process usually begins with reading the book as a regular reader before drafting a translation, which she revises until she is satisfied. After letting the draft rest, she reviews it from an editorial perspective before submitting it to a publisher.

The challenges of translation vary by project. For instance, Zambra’s Multiple Choice, structured as a standardized test, necessitated a rewrite in Spanish to enable an effective translation. This collaboration involved creating new content to capture the essence of Zambra’s original work.

Her translated books are generally innovative, featuring sharp sentences and concise vignettes that defy traditional narrative styles, often taking readers through surreal landscapes. Fever Dream, nominated for the 2017 Man Booker International Prize, exemplifies this trend, consisting of a brief but intense dialogue between a dying woman and a boy in an Argentine hospital.

As a freelance literary translator, McDowell's work illustrates both her influence and the precarious nature of her profession. Over her last eight publications, each was released by a different publisher, and her name appears on only two of the covers. Compensation for translation work is often minimal; she recently received her first royalty check for $500, which she acknowledges is surprisingly little for such extensive work.

Indie publishers provide some exceptions, though she notes that larger presses tend to downplay the translator’s name because it may not contribute to book sales. “I’m not a translator for the fame or the money,” she reflects, questioning her motivations.

Growing up in Kentucky, McDowell was drawn to literature, particularly learning about translation during her college years at DePaul University in Chicago, where she encountered writers like Julio Cortázar. After a fellowship with Dalkey Archive Press allowed her to discover a wealth of unconventional literature, she sought to improve her Spanish to enhance her translation skills.

A chance conversation led her to a cultural center in Valparaíso, Chile, prompting her to teach English for a year. Her journey back to the U.S. and return to Chile later on was motivated by a desire to work in publishing and engage with local literary communities. McDowell translated Zambra’s Private Lives of Trees, which was eventually published by Open Letter in 2010, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.

Since returning to Chile in 2014, she has experienced a prolific phase, often balancing her translation work with a day job at an investment bank for economic stability. During a recent year, she translated multiple works while managing her banking role, leading to an extensive workload that limited her free time.

Through her tireless efforts, McDowell has provided English-speaking audiences access to some of Latin America's most innovative writers, particularly female authors like Meruane, Schweblin, and Enriquez, who challenge conventional storytelling. She acknowledges the historical disparity in representation between male and female writers in translation and emphasizes the rich literary landscape women are creating.

Currently, McDowell is translating Virginia Vallejo’s tell-all story Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar, which is set to be adapted into a film featuring Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem. She is also working on a semi-autobiographical book by Alejandro Jodorowsky and future projects including a short story collection by Schweblin.

Reflecting on her journey to becoming a translator, McDowell shares that her commitment to translation has become her lifestyle over the past decade. With her unique insight into global literature and dedication to amplifying diverse voices, she continues to make significant contributions to the field.