Elena Knows, Claudia Piñeiro translated by Frances Riddle, out with Charco Press, discussed at the BookBlast® Translation Book Club, Hatchards, Piccadilly, London, in person with the author and her publisher. Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2022.
Elena Knows explores themes of illness, the influence of the Catholic Church, the mother-daughter relationship, and the oppressive social expectations placed on women.
The narrative unfolds through Elena's internal monologue after her daughter is found hanging in the belfry of the church. She refuses to believe that her daughter committed suicide as she never went near the church. Her interactions with Father Juan, Inspector Avellaneda and Dr Benegas leave her feel unheard and frustrated, exacerbated as her Parkinson's disease progresses.
The discussion also covers some of Piñeiro’s other novels and fiction in Argentina.
With simultaneous translation from the Spanish by Carolina Orloff from Charco Press.
35 minutes #podcast #bookclub