I don’t see a work of translated fiction being on this list this year. I can’t think of one that was widely reviewed by the critics that make up the NBCC. I might have a blind spot this morning, but I can’t think of a major translated work that was published by a major publisher, and, sadly, those are the ones that get the attention of this group.

From the general admiration, I can see Wolf Hall being a finalist here, and I can see Let the Great World Spin on the list, though I’ve read neither. I can also see Lark & Termite on the list, which would be a surprise to me (it wasn’t a surprise that it was a National Book Award finalist) because it just doesn’t seem like a NBCC award winner. I would be more surprised to see That Old Cape Magic on the list, just because I get the sense that people read it comparing it to Russo’s other work and not so much to other books written in 2009. I cannot see The Humbling on the list — too weird, and not loved by half the critics in the circle anyway.

Last year I hadn’t heard of Olive Kitteridge or The Battle of Trenchmouth Taggert, and this year I feel even more in the dark.

Thanks for the thoughts, Kevin. Hopefully some others will join in the discussion and give some light.

1. That Old Cape Magic; Richard Russo
2. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders; Daniel Mueenuddin
3. Both Ways Is The Only Way I Want It; Maile Meloy

I’ve reviewed the first two and a review on Meloy will be up within a week.

That means there are some I have read that I don’t think belong on the list — Lorrie Moore most notably, although Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin would be another (and I would not be upset if this one made the list). And I haven’t read Lark and Termite, which I know you liked and which did attract a lot of support.

I think in many ways this award is the most representative of the U.S. based awards (and we should note the broadest based since it has no citizenship restrictions). I do think for readers looking for readable books, it does produce the best list.

So, Trevor, your choices? Since the NBCC often features translated works, I’m definitely looking to see what you have to say. You are my expert on works in translation.

That means that both the 2008 National Book Award and the 2008 NBCC Award went to gigantic, convoluted, quasi-unreadable novels. Definitely awarding ambition this year, both the authors and the readers who want to read the books!

By the way, just started This Republic of Suffering, a nonfiction book that is a finalist for the NBCC and was a finalist for the National Book Award. Looks like a good year for nonfiction if books like this aren’t winning.

At this point, I think I hope Home wins, just on the strength of Robinson’s other two novels. I didn’t like Lazarus and I found 2666 too convoluted. We’ll see tomorrow.

By the way, I notice on here that the last comments were about my interviewing Phillips. Last I heard from her she still said she would, but that’s been a while. Maybe my questions were awful! I’m thinking it’s mostly that she’s busy and using her time for other things. I’m not sure, then, that I’ll get the interview completed to post, though I can say that she is a pleasant person by email!

I’ll do some looking around, though. That those three authors would endorse it has me interested.