By Nadia Shah, Yumna Iqbal and Michelle Ye
In recent years, diversity and inclusion have become a focal point of discussion amongst readers, writers, and the wider publishing industry. At the forefront of this movement is Tilted Axis Press, an independent publisher devoted to bringing contemporary translated literature by the Global Majority (a collective term used to refer to all ethnic groups with the exception of white groups/ white minorities) to readers everywhere.
Tilted Axis Press was founded in 2015 by Deborah Smith, Translator of the South Korean novel, The Vegetarian by Han Kang, to address the absence of translated books on British bookshelves. In an interview with the National Centre for Writing, Smith declared that “translation into a language and a literature is the lifeblood of English and English needs to be constantly renewed by giving not only readers but writers access to these other traditions and these other possibilities”. In line with this notion of perpetual evolution, Tilted Axis Press is home to innovation at every level. Beyond the act of translating one language into another, Tilted Axis Press views this process of transformation as an opportunity to deconstruct existing hierarchies of language and promote critical considerations regarding the primacy of some languages over others. Books are chosen not just because of their geographic origin but also according to their experimental nature, an approach that promotes diversity in both cultural and narrative construction. In addition to its international perspective, Tilted Axis Press has also acknowledged the importance of intersectionality since its inception; its catalogue has consistently included books written by women that engage with conceptions of gender from around the world. Today, after publishing award-winning works of fiction, poetry and non-fiction, Tilted Axis Press continues to sail towards greater representation with its 2024 editorial vision: Translating Waters.
Notable Books Published
One of Tilted Axis' recent publications, released on 8 August 2024, is Elevator in Sài Gòn by Thuân, translated from Vietnamese by Nguyễn An Lý. This novel intricately blends elements of mystery, historical romance and postcolonial reflection, providing a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of life in a communist state. The story follows a Vietnamese woman who returns to Sài Gòn for her estranged mother’s funeral, only to find herself delving deep into her family's history after her mother’s mysterious death in a newly installed elevator.
Thuận’s writing is a vivid exploration of personal and political histories, seen through the eyes of a protagonist caught between her past in Vietnam and her present in Paris. The narrative’s rich, atmospheric style has been praised for its ability to linger in the reader's mind long after the last page. Critics such as Sheung-King and Thúy Đinh have lauded the novel for its haunting prose and insightful commentary on the postcolonial experience.
The book is currently on tour, with exciting events lined up. Head over to the Tilted Axis Press website for more details. A highlight to look forward to is the "Elevator in Sài Gòn/ Thuận Tour in UK" at the East and South East Asian Literary Festival (ESEA Lit Fest) 2024 on 21 September. If you are in the area, don’t miss the chance to join Thuận and Trà My at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, for a creative translation workshop, where they will delve into translation, decolonising language and poetry from Southeast Asia.
Tilted Axis Press has also published poetry such as I Belong To Nowhere: Poems of Hope and Resistance by Kalyani Thakur Charal, translated from Bengali by Mrinmoy Pramanick and Sipra Mukherjee. First published in 2023, this collection astonishingly tackles and challenges upper-class socialists with patriarchal attitudes. Taking from personal experience, having grown up in India, Charal condemns the societal values of superiority that have fuelled the caste system for generations in South Asia while portraying the striking parallels to other types of prejudice faced by communities across the world.
Releasing on 12 September is Delicious Hunger by Hai Fan, translated from Chinese by Jeremy Tiang, Winner of the PEN Translates 2024 Award. Fan’s short stories recall his past as a soldier in the guerilla forces for the Malayan Communist Party. He tells stories inspired by his thirteen years in the rainforest, portraying times during warfare, but also the human moments outside of it, as this group of people seek to build a better future. Fan’s book tells stories of affection, camaraderie and desire in a place filled with death and destruction and how these ideas all become intertwined in the midst of war.
Upcoming and Past Events
Tilted Axis Press regularly holds events to celebrate its authors and their works, as well as attending notable bookish events and fairs. Past events have included Writers for Palestine (13 June) and Feminist Book Club Glasgow (9 July).
Some upcoming events include:
TAP at the Multicultural Book Fair, 14 September 2024.
Elevator in Sài Gòn / Thuận Tour in UK: Roundtable Books, running from 18 September to 22 September 2024 across various locations.
Comments