On the international detective front

The Christian Science Monitor wonders what's happening outside the confines of the US and UK when it comes to mystery fiction -- and to their surprise (though not mine) there's lots going on:

Why the interest in worldly detectives? Some observers say readers are tired of poor products by assembly-line American writers. The Botswana novels and 9/11 also get credit for boosting interest in international detectives. Otto Penzler, owner of New York City's Mysterious Bookshop, has another theory: "If I had to pick a reason, I would say that the writers from foreign countries have simply gotten better."

No longer are Japanese and Swedish authors, for example, simply copying the style of Raymond Chandler or Agatha Christie, Mr. Penzler says. "Rather than trying to sound like Americans or Brits, they're trying to sound like who they are."

Reflecting the issues facing the nations in which they take place, many international detective novels are more than simple whodunits. Scandinavian authors tend to be on the dark side and bemoan the decline of the welfare state, while Italians often examine their country's pervading corruption. The Japanese, meanwhile, frequently explore their country's changing social mores.

So what's the next hot region for internationally set novels? The going rate seems to be Asia and Africa, though I take issue with this:

It's hard to predict the next hot region for mystery novels, but some observers expect to see more detectives from Asia and Africa. And booksellers are still waiting for South America and Germany to produce mystery fiction.

If they do, they'll tap into a deep human fascination with crime and justice, says Huang of the Indiana bookstore. "That's the main thing about mysteries: You want questions answered and the bad guys brought to justice. That's something that any mystery reader can relate to, regardless of where the book is set."

South America? Luis Alfredo Garcia-Roza (Brazil) comes to mind. Germany? Fredrich Glauser from the old days, as published by Bitter Lemon Press. Bernard Schlink's 1980s mysteries are starting to be available in trade paperback from Vintage. And I'm sure there are a ton of fabulous authors just waiting to be translated..

Comments

[Natsuo]

It's funny...I have been thinking about this topic.

I love Japanese mysteries. I became a mystery addict because of those great works. I've been wondering why there is so few international mystereis being translated and promoted in US market?

[Ingrid (I.J.Parker)]

Just a guess, based on comments I've heard: readers hate those weird names they can't pronounce! Also, of course, this is a very isolationist nation.
As for myself, naturally I applaud and welcome a new interest in Japanese detectives. :)

[Rebecca]

"And booksellers are still waiting for South America and Germany to produce mystery fiction."

WHAT??? South America produces TONS of mystery fiction (and has going back to Borges' short stories). Booksellers may be waiting for TRANSLATIONS of South American (and for that matter Central American and Caribbean) fiction, but it definitely exists.

[Jason Starr]

Yeah, waiting for Germany to "produce" crime fiction doesn't make any sense at all. Crime and mystery fiction has been huge in Germany for years. Some writers have had their work translated into English, such as Jacob Arjouni (No Exit Press) and Jorg Fauser (Bitter Lemmon Press). But many many haven't. One obstacle is that English-language publishers don't have enough German readers (or readers of other languages for that matter).

[Cara]

Talking about Japanese crime fiction I just read Out by Natsuo Kirino...chilling. I couldn't put it down. The first book from Japan nominated for an Edgar, I think. She paints contemporary Japanese society very noir with four housewives working in a bento lunch box factory - ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and what they do that dooms them.

Discovered Massimo Carlotto via Sparkle Hayter. He was part of the Red Brigade in Italy on the run in Europe and now lives in France. He's written nine books but only the Columbian Mule has been translated. A big bestseller in Europe and I ask why not here?

[Natsuo]

Natsuo Krirno is one of my favorite Japanese mystery writers. Her characters are always so sentimental and vivid.

[Jeanne Ketterer]

Can anyone tell me the name of the male Japanese crime/mystery writer who's supposed be big in Japan who was recently in the US? For the life of me I can't remember where I read about him and tried googling, but came up empty. I was sure I read about him in the NYTimes, but can't find anything. It was one of those I'll get to later articles that slipped away -- all I remember is that he's in his 40s, noir crime, supposed to be big in Japan, well-known, not so well-known here and I believe it was his first US visit. Anyone recall? It was in the last couple of months. I've asked around and no one seems to remember. I hate this.

I've recently begun reading Japanese crime/mysteries, beginning with Ingrid's eleventh century Akitada Sugawara. The Heian period is very interesting (I want to do more reading on this period) and she's done a good job of balancing and not overwhelming with detail getting in the way of the story. Out is next up after I finish Takagi's The Tattoo Murder Case.

Jeanne

[Rebecca]

Jeanne -
If you're interested in Japanese mysteries, I'd suggest checking out Seicho Matsumoto's "Inspector Imanishi Investigates" but read it AFTER Takagi. It's a fascinating midway point between "The Tattoo Murder Case" (1945, postwar devastated Tokyo), and prosperous the present of Natsuo Kirino and Haruki Murakami (don't think he's the author you're mentioning, because I don't think of him as a mystery writer, but he's good). Inspector Imanishi was written and set in the sixties, just as Japan's economy was beginning to take off, but when the memory of the war was still very vivid. Also, even though it's not really mystery, if you're into Heian stuff, track down Kamo no Chomei's "An Account of My Hut" which might be described as "Kamakura noir."

[Fiona]

Are you thinking fo Ryu Murakami?

[Naomi Hirahara]

Jeanne:

I believe that you're thinking of Koji Suzuki, the author of "The Ring" and "Dark Water." There was a New York Times article back in December of last year.

Check the website of Vertical, www.vertical-inc.com. It's a very interesting publishing house that's producing a lot of cutting edge Japanese stuff in the English language.

[Jeanne Ketterer]

Okay, it's Koji Suzuki. I'll be back tomorrow am with more comment.
Thanks!

Jeanne

[Natsuo]

I am wondering where I can find more translated Japanese mysteries. Any tips? Thanks.

[Naomi Hirahara]

One comment on why there have been few Japanese books in translation (aside from all the usual reasons)--apparently the publishing system in Japan is radically different than the U.S. Writers have an extremely close relationship with their editors; many don't have agents, although I'm sure that will change over time. As a result, editors don't care if their writers have international exposure; they are more concerned with the domestic market their respective companies specialize in. As movies based on Japanese works gain popularity here, I'm sure U.S. agents will hire more scouts to bring Japanese authors to them.

[Jeanne Ketterer]

Thank you, all, for the author recommendations -- I'll add to my list. And I'll go back and try to find the article on Suzuki. Amazing that I'm drowning in articles and bits and pieces and trying to find one ... Also, thanks for the heads up re Vertical.

Jeanne

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