‘Writers make national literature, while translators make universal literature,’ said Nobel Laureate José Saramago, when awarded the prize in 1998. If anyone knew, the Portuguese author certainly did - after all, he cut his teeth translating before shifting his pen to create his own prize-winning works. 

Translated fiction holds a unique - though historically overlooked place - in the publishing world, especially in the UK. But the power of translation to transcend borders is now piquing the interest of more and more readers. From Instagram stories to bookshop hauls, translated fiction is becoming increasingly popular among book lovers everywhere. And as sales continue to rise, it’s no surprise that novels translated into English are now making their way into the hands of celebrity readers, as well as ordinary book buyers. And who can blame them? For those looking for a window into other cultures, there’s no comparison.

So, to coincide with the announcement of the International Booker Prize 2023 longlist, which aims to encourage more reading of quality fiction from all over the world, we’ve rounded up seven novels - as recommended by their celebrity fans - to broaden your literary horizons. 

Flights by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Jennifer Croft

Actor Chris Pine became one of Hollywood’s most unexpected book influencers when he was papped rummaging around in indie bookshops a decade ago. Since then, the internet has gone wild for his recommendations, with Tumblr pages dedicated to his book hauls. More recently, Pine picked up a copy of Flights - the winner of the International Prize in 2018 by Olga Tokarczuk and translated by Jennifer Croft - in a London bookstore. Set across an astonishing 116 vignettes, Tokarczuk’s existentially rooted novel connects anatomy and travel, journeying through time while meditating on both life and death. ‘It’s super mosaic-y, and every time you start getting invested in one of these mosaic pieces, she kind of flips the subject’, Pine told Esquire when interviewed about his favourite books recently. 

The Vegetarian by Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith

When The Vegetarian won the International Booker Prize in 2016, it was the first time the award had been presented to a single work of fiction, rather than a body of work. Han’s South Korean set story takes readers to a suffocating community where the most ordinary of women subverts societal expectations by refusing to eat meat, after being plagued with blood-soaked visions of animal slaughter. This shocking rebellion against conformity sends her into a destructive spiral, with tragic consequences. Han’s book is spare yet unfaltering in its approach and leaves the reader with a distinct feeling of unease. Brie Larson - aka Captain Marvel, and a known book lover - recently recommended the novel to Stylist Magazine, where she called The Vegetarian ‘scary and sad, but also deeply tender. It made me question my autonomy, which is exactly what I look for in a book.’

The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldstein

Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2016, The Story of the Lost Child is the fourth volume in Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet that traces the lives of two young girls across the decades. It’s a powerful portrait of female friendship set against Ferrante’s ever-present Italian backdrop, in the charming but at-times cruel Naples. Ferrante’s domestic dramas have brought her international acclaim, selling millions of copies worldwide, while garnering legions of devoted readers. Actor John Turturro, star of recent TV hit Severance and movies such as The Big Lebowski, is such a fan that he’s appeared on bookstore panels celebrating the author’s work. Even Former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has spoken about her love for the novels on her podcast, calling the Quartet ‘just hypnotic’ and describing her reading experience as ‘totally engulfed in the people, the sounds, the sights, the feelings of being in the setting that the author so beautifully described’.

A New Name: Septology VI-V by Jon Fosse, translated by Damion Searls

When Jon Fosse was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2022 for A New Name: Septology VI-V, it was his second appearance on the list, having previously been longlisted two years earlier for the first book in his Septology trilogy. Written in Fosse’s trademark ‘slow prose’ and led by a stream-of-conscious narrative, A New Name: Septology VI-V is a deeply moving portrait of memory set in Fosse’s homeland of Norway that reflects on the meaning of life. Fosse is a prolific writer, with a body of work that spans novels, poetry, essays, plays and even children’s books, to international acclaim that saw Le Monde describe him as ‘the Beckett of the twenty-first century’. New Zealand’s singer-songwriter Lorde has been spotted referencing the author - after reading his most recent interview with The New Yorker article where Fosse spoke about his far-reaching body of work, she posted highlights on her Instagram stories to her 10 million followers.