On The Radar: A biography on Constance Garnett, a lazy Russian novel, an anthology celebrating Prague’s literary renaissance, and another New York literary anthology

“On the Radar” provides small incidental rundowns on books which I’ve discovered, but haven’t yet purchased. These are titles which I’ve either added to my wishlist, or am keeping a close eye on with a view to adding them. In addition, these are books which I feel may be of some interest to fellow readers, and I welcome feedback as always, on your own opinions and thoughts on the listed titles – especially if you’ve already had the ‘pleasure’ of reading any of them.

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Constance Garnett: A Heroic Life by Richard Garnett (Faber Books) – It was only a couple of weeks ago that I decided once and for all that my favourite translator of all things ‘Russian Classics’ was that early twentieth-century ‘heroine of translation’, Constance Garnett. Her translations may, by today’s standards, often seem a little awkward and unwieldy at times but truth of the matter is that she brings a real sense of the age with her; a feeling that her translated words are perhaps more in tune with the period and closer, in many ways, to the original. So you may well think that I’ve declared Ms. Garnett to be a personal hero of mine, and you’d be right. Imagine my delight then to discover that Constance’s grandson, Richard Garnett, has authored a biography on his grandmother. Published by Faber Books as part of their Faber Finds series, Constance Garnett: A Heroic Life is said to be both meticulously researched and personal and affectionate. And coming from a personal family member, I can’t think of a more delightful way of discovering the woman behind so many great translations. I look forward to picking a copy up.

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Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov. Translated by Marian Schwartz (Yale University Press) – The blame for this book appearing on my radar lies squarely at the feet of fellow blogger Rebecca Reid. Recently tweeting that she loved the cover of this newly published edition from Yale University Press and the premise the main character never wants to get out of bed, my interest in this novel was immediately piqued. I’ve got to admit that I’ve never heard of Ivan Goncharov before, let alone read anything by him, but now that I have I want to make amends. So what better place to start than with Oblomov, a novel described by Tolstoy himself as “a truly great work, the likes of which one has not seen for a long, long time.” If further encouragement were needed, then this newly published edition from Yale University Press also comes with its translation by award winning Marian Schwartz. Irresistible? I should say. It’s on the wishlist!

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The Return of Kral Majales: Prague’s Literary Renaissance 1990-2010 Ed. Louis Armand (Litteraria Pragensia) – If I’m being completely honest then I can’t even remember where I first discovered this upcoming anthology, but I’m glad that I did. Published in May by Litteraria Pragensia, an imprint of the Philosophy Faculty of Charles University, Prague, this 960pp tome celebrates the literary renaissance which is said to have occurred in Prague over the past two decades, looks delicious. Containing over 90 contributions from writers and translators who have been active in Prague over the past twenty years, The Return of Kral Majales looks to be one book that Eastern European Literature fans shouldn’t live without. My savings jar is rattling!

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Writing New York: A Literary Anthology Edited by Phillip Lopate (Library of America) – If proof were ever needed as to why it’s important for book fans to keep a close on Twitter, then the fact that this is the second Twitter-discovered book to be featured in this edition of On The Radar, must speak volumes. This time around the credit goes to good friend Teri Tynes, that dynamic individual behind New York blog, Walking Off the Big Apple. Not surprisingly her recommendation is New York-flavoured, and boy what a recommendation it is. Writing New York: A Literary Anthology contains the writings of over 100 illustrious 20th-century writers. From Washington Irving to Don DeLillo and Edgar Allan Poe to E . L . Doctorow, the contributions work together to offer an ‘unprecedented literary portrait of the city as seen through the eyes of the writer’. It all sounds absolutely exquisite – as it should do to a bibliophile who has an incurable passion for anything ‘Big Apple’. But there’s one last thing that really puts the icing on top of the cake for me. The anthology is edited by none other than Philip Lopate, one of my favourite essayists of all time. Am I beside myself with excitement? You damn well bet I am! Before you rush off and grab yourself a copy though fellow reader, take note! As Teri reminded me at the time, if you’re going to pick up this anthology then make sure it’s the latest 2008, expanded 10th-anniversary edition (ISBN: 1598530216). Got that? Good. Off you toddle .