Literature across Languages: 9 Authors from 9 Languages that you must read

Language is not merely a medium of communication, a systematic code through which oral and written signals pass between individuals, but a bearer of art, culture and traditions. And what can be a better carrier of the art and traditions of a people than their literature, written in their own language and representative of the indigenous voices. If you are a language enthusiast or an aspiring polyglot, then these authors will help you flex that linguistic muscle and acquaint you with the nuances of your chosen language. Or, if you are a connoisseur of literature, then this is your ticket to a whirlwind journey across world literature. 

While no language or its writing can be solely represented by a single person and there is no doubt about the fact that literature stands on the works of millions of writers who burnt the midnight oil, blackened their fingers and dedicated entire lifetimes to the service of this craft, sadly not all of them can be included. The ones in my subjective list stand as tall stalwarts and flag bearers of their literature. So here are 9(+2) writers from 10 languages that everyone should read.

1. Arabic- Khalil Gibran

The Lebanese author Khalil Gibran is considered one of the most prominent Arabic writers of recent times. He was not only admired as a writer but also a poet, visual artist and philosopher. Known for his signature lucid and poetic prose, his works were embellished with themes of love and spirituality. His views on the latter, especially, were influenced by a conglomeration of various religious ideas like Christianity, Islam and Sufism. Although, ‘The prophet’, a collection in prose-poetry, is said to be his best and most renowned work, ‘The broken Wings’, a tragic love-story, is equally exquisite. 

2. Bangla- Rabindranath Tagore and Sharatchandra Chattopadhyay

While Tagore has become synonymous with Bengali literature across the world, no one even slightly acquainted with this literature will question Chattopadhyay’s relevance and contribution to it. If Rabindranath is the bright sun, then Sharatchandra is the autumn moon. Tagore is known for his ethereal prose and the almost divine and untouchable quality of his stories, while Chattopadhyay boasts of some exemplary character-work, the representation of women, and a keen understanding of the society reflected in his minute observations that can only be found in the works of Dickens perhaps.

3. English- Virginia Woolf

 As a primarily English reader, it is difficult for me to choose one author from among the many who shine brilliantly across the skies of this literature. Difficult is an understatement, this is more of a dilemma. But, after much deliberation, I decided to go with the twentieth century English author, Virginia Woolf, not only for her pioneering work in the stream of consciousness style of writing but also keeping relevance in today's world in mind. I see Woolf as a confluence of the classical and the modern. Someone who is just as relevant to all generations.

4. French- Alexander Dumas

French boasts of a string of renowned writers from Faust to Leroux, but none has impressed me as much as the 19th century novelist and playwrite Alexand Dumas. While he wrote many notable works throughout his career, his tome of a novel, ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’, is, for me, one of the greatest literary pieces of this world.

5. German- Rainer Maria Rilke

The Austrian poet, Rilke, is one of the most significant writers in the German language and a great poet of the 20th century. His reflections on the themes of God, spirituality, love, grief and solitude transcend the confines of religion and elevate his poetry to the realm of universality. A collection of his letters named ‘Letters to a young poet’ has gained wide popularity, but his other poetry collections, like ‘The Dark Interval’ and ‘The Book of Hours’ as well as his only novel, ‘The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge’, showcase equal brilliancy and caliber. 

6. Italian- Italo Calvino

If you are interested in Italian literature, you must read calvino. The twentieth century journalist and writer is one of the stalwarts of the post-modern period. His most popular works include ‘Invisible Cities’, his collection of short stories called the ‘Cosmiconomics’, and ‘If on a winter’s night a traveler’. The last of these, which delves on themes of stories, books, language and language politics and the experience of reading, is one of my absolute favorites.

7. Japanese- Yasunari Kawabata

While Murakami has become the face of Japanese literature on the global stage, and deservedly so, we must not neglect the other writers who have contributed to this rich tradition. One of them being the novelist Yasunari Kawabata who also won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1968. Some of his renowned works include The Old Capital, The dancing girl of Izzu and The Master of Go. But the novel ‘Snow Country’ is my favorite work written by him.

8. Russian- Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dosteovesky

Russian literature would be incomplete without the contribution of either of these two stalwarts.While Tolstoy is known for his complex and layered exploration of deep themes like war, peace, religion and spirituality, family and fidelity, Dostoevsky is admired for his intricate and detailed philosophical discourses. If you are intimidated by the size of their books, I suggest you start with shorter works like, ‘The Death of Ivan Ilyich’ by Tolstoy or ‘White Nights’ by Dostoevsky.

9. Swedish- Frederick Backmann

Given the number of classic authors on this list, it is only right that I should also include some contemporary ones. Frederick Backmann, a Swedish writer, is a beloved of many readers across the globe for his heart-touching literary fiction novels. The exploration of the human condition and of the themes of love, parenting, family and mental health makes his books relatable for people of al ages. His novels ‘A man called Ove’ and ‘Anxious People’ are must reads for fans of literary fiction