The Sunday Times
Crime and punishment it ain't. But the Russians have got a taste for a new genre of literature: Irish chick-lit. Marian Keyes, the bestselling romantic fiction author, is to have her books translated into Russian.
Traditionally it has been an honour reserved for the giants of Irish literature such as Joyce, Beckett and Yeats. Now Russian publishers are seeking popular titles to print, especially those which appeal to young women.
Keyes does it best, according to Eskmo, which is publishing her debut novel Watermelon next month, followed by two other titles by the Limerick-born author. The publishers chose Keyes for her humour and because she deals with universal themes such as relationships, depression and addiction.
"We had been looking for contemporary western authors to translate for female readers," said Nadezhda Kasyanova, head of editorial as Eksmo. "We chose Marian for the quality of her work - she is the best writer in this genre. She is the first Irish author we have published and the first such Irish author in Russia of this genre." "I don't think a Russian audience will have any trouble understanding the peculiarities of British or Irish culture. There has been no problem translating Irish slang into Russian. We totally relate to the type of humour in her books. People will read them because they are fun," said Kasyanova.Keyes's books, which have been translated into 19 languages, have sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. The novelist has spent the past week touring several of Russia's major cities taking in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nishni Novgorod and Samara, where she has given readings and creative writing workshops.
"The readings have gone very well," said Tony Baines, Keyes's husband and assistant. "The Russians seem to have much the same sense of humour as us - they laugh about dark things."The audience at Keyes's readings was made up mostly of young women - in the main, university students, English language teachers and young professionals.
While the Russians are voracious bookworms, the field of contemporary literature is underdeveloped. The promotional tour was organised by the British Council in Russia, partly to spur young writers into filling this gap.
"There doesn't seem to be anything that is humorous, accessible and contemporary but not extremely literary," said Baines. "They are fascinated to find this area of literature; well-written commercial fiction." "We would have had our doubts about Russia because it is such a different country, but it has been extremely pleasant."James C. O'Shea, second secretary in the Irish Embassy in Moscow, said:
"There is a big appetite for Irish literature. The Russians are extremely knowledgeable about the work of Joyce and Yeats, for example. The Russians are amazingly prolific readers."Jonathan Lloyd, Keyes's British agent, said "Part of the interest the Russian people have is what life is like in Dublin or London, but the setting in Marian's books is just background."
"It is the relationships and dialogue, although foreign, that touch a chord."Watermelon tells the story of Claire whose husband leaves her for another woman after she gives birth to their first baby and ends up moving home to her family in Ireland.
Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married has also been translated into Russian and is due to come out later in the year. Sushi for Beginners, currently being translated, will follow.
Although the books are likely to appeal mostly to thirtysomething women, the lives of Russian readers will differ greatly to those of the characters. Women tend to get married and have children at a younger age in Russia. Other popular Irish authors are set to follow Keyes onto Russian bookshelves. Maeve Binchy is due to have two titles, Echoes and Evening Class, published there later this year.