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This is a great and detailed summary of these books — it has helped me decide to hold off on The Vegetarian a little bit longer! Convenience Store sounds amazing and very sweet.

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Thanks, Haley! Yes, The V is a bit of a read...very engrossing, but not exactly cheerful! :)

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I have yet to face The Vegetarian, which has been on my shelf for well over a year now and constantly looking at me and asking "so, when?"

I absolutely loved Convenience Store Woman, it's such a peculiar little book that does so much with so little--which is my favorite type of book, to be honest!

I hadn't heard about Helle's, so now it's a new one for me to look for!

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Thanks for reading, Juliana. Yes…The Vegetarian isn’t exactly an easy title, but is definitely worth a read. I agree re Convenience Store Woman! I love it when a tiny book really surprises you like that. Helle Helle’s book is a similarly slim volume, and kind of strange in a whole different way. I hope you give it a try :)

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Thank you for even more great recommendations, Kate 🤎

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You're welcome! 💕 hope you're having a lovely bank holiday weekend 😊

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Thank you, Kate. A beautiful day in the Lakes yesterday. I hope you had a lovely day as well 💕

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Absolutely LOVED The Vegetarian. Thanks for all the other recs, Kate!

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Thanks, Kate! Isn’t it just so wonderfully written?! Thanks for reading :)

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Thank you for all the love on this post Kate - I appreciate it so much! I am so pleased to hear my post prompted your own reflections on your favourite translated reads! I have read both The Vegetarian & Convenience Store Woman (both good I agree) but Helle Helle is a new one for me. So thank you for the recommendation - it sounds really intriguing!

Thank you for sharing, and for recommending my newsletter! :) I look forward to sharing all the women in translated books I’ve read this month this time next week!

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You are welcome Martha! I really loved your post, and I can't believe I almost missed Women in Translation month!

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Good job it comes back every year !! 😉

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Thank you Kate - lovely to be introduced to books I would likely not have encountered - one of the great joys of Substack!

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Absolutely, Laura! My reading list has never been happier 😀

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So interesting that you found a through line in all 3. I am not usually drawn to novels that are quiet narrations of life, but I did order The Wonder Spot based on your article last week. If I like it, I may dip into Helle Helle. Thanks for bringing these authors to light during translation month.

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Thanks, Renee! I really hope you enjoy it- let me know what you think :)

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Aug 25Liked by Kate Jones

What a brilliant, detailed summary of the books. All sound really good and well worth a read.

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I think you might like Convenience Store Woman the most :)

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Thank you! :)

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Loved Convenience Store Woman and Han Kang’s The Vegetarian! Have you read The White Book by Kang? I’ve only read excerpts but the whole novel’s at the top of my list! Haven’t heard of Helle Helle so will absolutely be looking into her and her work —thanks for sharing!

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Thanks, Regan! I’m glad you enjoyed both of those books too : ) I haven’t read The White Book…I have picked it up a couple of times, but shied away from it because I thought it might be too heartbreaking…maybe I shall have to steel myself though and take the plunge, because her writing style is beautiful. I hope you enjoy Helle Helle!

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