Fiction of the Week for July 13: Pieces of Me
I am thrilled to have a chance to have a chat with the translator of the book, Pieces of Me, Susan Ouriou. Susan has done an awesome job translating this emotionally-charged book.
Mirabelle is almost 15 and she is friendless. By chance, she meets Catherine, who is carefree, confident, and also a boy-magnet. With Catherine's encouragement, Mirabelle tries to come out of her shell and to fight against dark thoughts which surround her. But she finds that this new-found confidence is something more than she can handle.
Elsa (E): While you were translating this book, did you relate to some of Mira's sadness (e.g. losing a best friend or dealing with paren't's divorce)?
Susan (S): I actually phoned author Charlotte Gingras (with whom I'd worked before) when I'd finished translating her book to tell her how much it meant she had written Mira's story. It just so happened that my mother has bipolar disorder, which seems to be the same illness that Mira's mother suffers from. However, where my mother had the support of my father, her own strength and wisdom and the help of medical professionals and medication- and so has had her illness under control for most of her life- Mira's mother- and Mira until she meets her best friend and her counsellor- seems to be totally alone in her fight against mental illness. I do believe that Mira's aloneness and her honesty, despair, and courage as well as the poetry of the telling itself are key to striking a chord with all kinds of readers. It takes writers like Charlotte Gingras and publishers like La Courte Echelle and Kids Can Press to bring these stories to the public and I am very proud to have been part of the process.
E: As the saying goes, somtimes, things get "lost in translation." Since Pieces of Me is a translated piece, how do you overcome this obstacle? Especially when mastering the descriptive imagery in the book.
S: I like to think that it's more a case of things being "found in translation." For me, translating is an act of exploring and mapping the country of another writer's making and finding a way of communicating the emotions, the places, the characters, the sights, the sounds, the tastes and the smells that make up that country. This involves getting away from the strange squiggles another language sets down on the page in order to discover the very contours of the story itself and then patiently leading the reader down the same paths to the same country in my own language with all its strange squiggles. I like to think of translation as going from being lost to being found.
As for how to render descriptive imagery in translation, a formula I learned studying translation in Paris has been very helpful. According to the formula, any translation or interpretation can be represented by a triangle shape. In the bottom left corner you have "Comprehension" of the original, from whence you travel to the apex of the triangle, to what's called "Deverbalization," and then return down the other side to "Re-expression," where you express what has been first understood then deverbalized. Deverbalization means erasing the words themselves in order to find the images, knowledge and emotions awakened by the reading.
For more of Susan's thoughts, another posting will be available this week. Don't miss out.
Elsa is a librarian at Toronto Public Library. She reads a lot of Canadian Young Adult fiction.
152 thoughts on “Fiction of the Week for July 13: Pieces of Me”
Wow =)
Thats REally Cool =)
Wow =)
Thats REally Cool =)
Seems really interesting
Looking forward to reading it
Seems really interesting
Looking forward to reading it
Putting a hold on it!
Putting a hold on it!
I am glad that you’re all giving this book a chance. 🙂
This book placed 3rd at the Battle of the Books on July 6. But you may totally feel differently after reading it, eh?
I am glad that you’re all giving this book a chance. 🙂
This book placed 3rd at the Battle of the Books on July 6. But you may totally feel differently after reading it, eh?
Pieces of me is such a great book, you guys should really try it.
Pieces of me is such a great book, you guys should really try it.
I placed a hold on Pieces of Me, and I can’t wait to read it. I heard it’s awesome.
I placed a hold on Pieces of Me, and I can’t wait to read it. I heard it’s awesome.
i was at the battle of the books on july 6th and they were talking about this book. they made me really want to read it and now i have the book on hold. can’t wait to read it!
i was at the battle of the books on july 6th and they were talking about this book. they made me really want to read it and now i have the book on hold. can’t wait to read it!
Wow, it seems so emotional and hard for Mirabelle..
Wow, it seems so emotional and hard for Mirabelle..
Pieces of Me dose sound like the type book I’ld read but it dose sound pretty interesting.I think I’ll try to read it.
Pieces of Me dose sound like the type book I’ld read but it dose sound pretty interesting.I think I’ll try to read it.
This book was really good. It was deep and kind of sad, learning about how life is for Mira and ways you can relate to her. She’s a complicated character, and i like how she learned from her experiences. A must read for all. I certainly enjoyed it. =)
This book was really good. It was deep and kind of sad, learning about how life is for Mira and ways you can relate to her. She’s a complicated character, and i like how she learned from her experiences. A must read for all. I certainly enjoyed it. =)
You’re right, Ayana. The book is really deep considering that it’s a short book. I mean, it’s descriptive and not wordy. Now that takes some skills to master writing succintly. 🙂 It’s a wonder how a few words can say so much at the same time, eh?
You’re right, Ayana. The book is really deep considering that it’s a short book. I mean, it’s descriptive and not wordy. Now that takes some skills to master writing succintly. 🙂 It’s a wonder how a few words can say so much at the same time, eh?
It was a good book i just read it a few days ago. definately something people should check out
It was a good book i just read it a few days ago. definately something people should check out
This book was featured at North York’s Battle of the Books. I’ve placed a hold on it already. I hope I can red it soon, it seems really interesting.
This book was featured at North York’s Battle of the Books. I’ve placed a hold on it already. I hope I can red it soon, it seems really interesting.
I saw the title and description of the book on a bookmark…it seems like a must-read.It also sounds like something that can happen in real life-a shy person turning into someone too overconfident.Putting the book on hold!
I saw the title and description of the book on a bookmark…it seems like a must-read.It also sounds like something that can happen in real life-a shy person turning into someone too overconfident.Putting the book on hold!
hey! finally a book that caught my attention enough to divert me away from the Twilight series..for a while..at least;)
hey! finally a book that caught my attention enough to divert me away from the Twilight series..for a while..at least;)
Woah… you got to talk with the person who translated the book? That’s really cool. 😀
The book itself does seem like an interesting one, if not a little dark.
Woah… you got to talk with the person who translated the book? That’s really cool. 😀
The book itself does seem like an interesting one, if not a little dark.
Yes, Edmee. I did get to talk to Susan Ouriou, the translator for the book. She is really easy-going and I really enjoyed chatting with her. 😀 One of the best things I love about being a librarian is getting to meet authors/translators who are contributing to the world of writing.
The book is a bit dark but it also gives hope.
Yes, Edmee. I did get to talk to Susan Ouriou, the translator for the book. She is really easy-going and I really enjoyed chatting with her. 😀 One of the best things I love about being a librarian is getting to meet authors/translators who are contributing to the world of writing.
The book is a bit dark but it also gives hope.
Hey guys, i just got my Pieces of me book, and I read the first page. It’s so interesting. You guys should try it. I can’t wait to continue reading.
Hey guys, i just got my Pieces of me book, and I read the first page. It’s so interesting. You guys should try it. I can’t wait to continue reading.
The cover reminds me of this awesome book called “Caught it a lie”, you guys should read it too.
The cover reminds me of this awesome book called “Caught it a lie”, you guys should read it too.
Caught in a lie is such a great book…it’s about a girl who wants to become a model..and her paren’ts don’t agree..so she lies to them…and tries to find ways to make money..to apply for modeling…and it turns out that her the modelling agency is fake..and now her paren’ts now..so Kim is stuck.
Caught in a lie is such a great book…it’s about a girl who wants to become a model..and her paren’ts don’t agree..so she lies to them…and tries to find ways to make money..to apply for modeling…and it turns out that her the modelling agency is fake..and now her paren’ts now..so Kim is stuck.
I’m almost done reading Pieces of Me and it’s awesome. You guys should read it. It’s like too good to be true.
I’m almost done reading Pieces of Me and it’s awesome. You guys should read it. It’s like too good to be true.
And I read Caught in a Lie too..it’s great. Try it.
And I read Caught in a Lie too..it’s great. Try it.
I heard about this great book called “Wringer”, my friend recommended it to me. So try that one too.
I heard about this great book called “Wringer”, my friend recommended it to me. So try that one too.
I heard about this great book called “Wringer”, my friend recommended it to me. So try that one too.
I heard about this great book called “Wringer”, my friend recommended it to me. So try that one too.
I’ve often had doubts about translated books – after all, it seems as if someone else is writing over the original ideas of the author. But Susan Ouriou has changed my opionion so now I’m pretty excited about borrowing this book. Kudos to Susan for the translation and Elsa for the interview!
I’ve often had doubts about translated books – after all, it seems as if someone else is writing over the original ideas of the author. But Susan Ouriou has changed my opionion so now I’m pretty excited about borrowing this book. Kudos to Susan for the translation and Elsa for the interview!
i have never read a book that waz translated before…this one though sounds pretty interesting looking forward to read it
i have never read a book that waz translated before…this one though sounds pretty interesting looking forward to read it
The storyline of ‘Caught in a Lie” sounds similiar to this other book I read long ago..it’s just too bad that I can’t remember the name!
The storyline of ‘Caught in a Lie” sounds similiar to this other book I read long ago..it’s just too bad that I can’t remember the name!
This is a great book. It was the first Word Out! book that I read. I love how we get to crawl into the character’s mind and follow her around throughout the day. =)
This is a great book. It was the first Word Out! book that I read. I love how we get to crawl into the character’s mind and follow her around throughout the day. =)
Thanks to Julie and everyone for reading this blog post. 😀
Thanks to Julie and everyone for reading this blog post. 😀
oh wow this book sounds really great ..I can’t wait to read this book.it sounds like something I could pick up without putting it down untill it’s finished.
oh wow this book sounds really great ..I can’t wait to read this book.it sounds like something I could pick up without putting it down untill it’s finished.
I’m really looking forward to reading this book. I hope Susan Ouriou is an amazing author just like all the others and I hope this book may teach me beforehand about things or mistakes or anything else I’ll maybe encounter in my life later.
I’m really looking forward to reading this book. I hope Susan Ouriou is an amazing author just like all the others and I hope this book may teach me beforehand about things or mistakes or anything else I’ll maybe encounter in my life later.
I have placed a hold on this book and am waiting eagerly for it to come. It seems like a very interesting book and I’m thinking of giving it a try.
I have placed a hold on this book and am waiting eagerly for it to come. It seems like a very interesting book and I’m thinking of giving it a try.
This book just by the cover reminds of memories. I hope when I read it many more will come!!! haha
This book just by the cover reminds of memories. I hope when I read it many more will come!!! haha
omg when i read the title of this book i was like whatever but then the blog for this book had sooo many comments so i was like cool, let me go take a look at what people have gotta say abt this book…..and i read the description too just now!
sounds reeeeelllli interesting i just put it on hold and i really can’t wait to read it! 😀
i think its gonna be really good!
but the book has like 20 hold on it 🙁 *sigh* i’ll have to be really patient but i just can’t wait to read this book though, sounds sooo gooood!
omg when i read the title of this book i was like whatever but then the blog for this book had sooo many comments so i was like cool, let me go take a look at what people have gotta say abt this book…..and i read the description too just now!
sounds reeeeelllli interesting i just put it on hold and i really can’t wait to read it! 😀
i think its gonna be really good!
but the book has like 20 hold on it 🙁 *sigh* i’ll have to be really patient but i just can’t wait to read this book though, sounds sooo gooood!
omg and i’ve read another book which has like exactly the same story as the book Caught in a Lie!
i am not sure but i think that book was called goodbye amanda the good. and i read it a long time ago but it was a really good book and i enjoyed it a lot and it actually taught me some lessons…..so I am pretty sure that caught in a lie is an awesome book as well ! 😀
omg and i’ve read another book which has like exactly the same story as the book Caught in a Lie!
i am not sure but i think that book was called goodbye amanda the good. and i read it a long time ago but it was a really good book and i enjoyed it a lot and it actually taught me some lessons…..so I am pretty sure that caught in a lie is an awesome book as well ! 😀
i finished reading a book called H O O T. after reading this book, i learned that people should make every effort to stop pollution and that everyone can help do something to make a big difference. this book is about a group of kids who found a family of owls were living in a construction site, and how they protested against the construction of a restaurant which turned out to make a big difference. ( they also found out that it was illegal to harm these owls ) i recommend this book to anyone who enjoys nature and protecting nature. happy reading!
i finished reading a book called H O O T. after reading this book, i learned that people should make every effort to stop pollution and that everyone can help do something to make a big difference. this book is about a group of kids who found a family of owls were living in a construction site, and how they protested against the construction of a restaurant which turned out to make a big difference. ( they also found out that it was illegal to harm these owls ) i recommend this book to anyone who enjoys nature and protecting nature. happy reading!
I’m so glad everyone is willing to read a book in translation. I love how translations let us get to know characters from other cultures and other countries and learn both how much we have in common with them but also how different our lives can be. Thanks for reading Pieces of Me!
I’m so glad everyone is willing to read a book in translation. I love how translations let us get to know characters from other cultures and other countries and learn both how much we have in common with them but also how different our lives can be. Thanks for reading Pieces of Me!
sounds emotional
i would read it!!
sounds emotional
i would read it!!
i read this book….it is a very good book…i would recommend this book to all who enjoy books wif meanings that can be used in real life…
i read this book….it is a very good book…i would recommend this book to all who enjoy books wif meanings that can be used in real life…
Bob: I remember reading HOOT by Carl Hiaasen a few years back! I’m not sure if I did ever finish it, though.
I’m very interested in reading Pieces of Me and hopefully it’ll come soon from hold. 😉
Bob: I remember reading HOOT by Carl Hiaasen a few years back! I’m not sure if I did ever finish it, though.
I’m very interested in reading Pieces of Me and hopefully it’ll come soon from hold. 😉
Sounds great. Ima think about reading it.
Sounds great. Ima think about reading it.
i’ll try to put that on hold and try to read it
i’ll try to put that on hold and try to read it
I just finished reading “Pieces of Me” and I realized only now what all the hype is about. It such an amazing story! It deserved to be a part of Battle of the Books that happened at North York Library a few days ago! Does anyone have any recommendations that are similar to this novel?
I just finished reading “Pieces of Me” and I realized only now what all the hype is about. It such an amazing story! It deserved to be a part of Battle of the Books that happened at North York Library a few days ago! Does anyone have any recommendations that are similar to this novel?
Pieces of Me sounds really interesting.
Pieces of Me sounds really interesting.
This looks great, I’ll have to put it hold right away!
This looks great, I’ll have to put it hold right away!
Sarah, another book which is translated by Susan Ouriou is called “Carmen” is a bit like “Pieces of Me.” Quite emotionally-charged and tells a great story of a girl who is learning to find some self-confidence and figuring out what it means to be loved. 🙂
Sarah, another book which is translated by Susan Ouriou is called “Carmen” is a bit like “Pieces of Me.” Quite emotionally-charged and tells a great story of a girl who is learning to find some self-confidence and figuring out what it means to be loved. 🙂
There are so many holds on this book. It must be really good. Can’t wait to read it!!! 😀
There are so many holds on this book. It must be really good. Can’t wait to read it!!! 😀
I just finished reading this book and I didn’t like it. I found it confusing the way it jumped around and it didn’t really flow. It took me a while to get through the book and it isn’t a book I would read again.
I just finished reading this book and I didn’t like it. I found it confusing the way it jumped around and it didn’t really flow. It took me a while to get through the book and it isn’t a book I would read again.
WOW! Sounds exciting… looking forwards to read it…(when its my turn. cause i’m gonna wait really long…practically the last one to have it on hold)
WOW! Sounds exciting… looking forwards to read it…(when its my turn. cause i’m gonna wait really long…practically the last one to have it on hold)
Wow, all these books seem really interesting. i think I’m going to put ‘Caught in a Lie’ on hold.
Wow, all these books seem really interesting. i think I’m going to put ‘Caught in a Lie’ on hold.
this sounds pretty good, im gonna go and borrow it 🙂
this sounds pretty good, im gonna go and borrow it 🙂
Well, almost done Azar Nafisi’s “Reading Lolita in Tehran”…so far brilliant. Now I am planning to go on to read Gordon Korman’s “The Juvie Three”, which is on the reading list.
Well, almost done Azar Nafisi’s “Reading Lolita in Tehran”…so far brilliant. Now I am planning to go on to read Gordon Korman’s “The Juvie Three”, which is on the reading list.
Very good book.
Read it in 3 days.
I Loved the ending 🙂
Read it
4.5/5
Very good book.
Read it in 3 days.
I Loved the ending 🙂
Read it
4.5/5
Didn’t Gordon Korman write those Everest books?
Didn’t Gordon Korman write those Everest books?
I just read this book several days ago, and I think it’s absolutely amazing. It’s a bit short though…I hoped that it would be a little longer. I rate it a 4.9/5! It would be great if there was a sequel!
Word Out, this was a great recommendation for everyone!
I just read this book several days ago, and I think it’s absolutely amazing. It’s a bit short though…I hoped that it would be a little longer. I rate it a 4.9/5! It would be great if there was a sequel!
Word Out, this was a great recommendation for everyone!
i just got the book…started to read it today n already it has a good starting, can’t wait till i finish the book n c wat else the author has to give to teen readers…i hope that this book has dept in it cuz the bookz i have read latly are really, really shaloww and i want to read something that has same really good meaningg and a good lesson to all…
i just got the book…started to read it today n already it has a good starting, can’t wait till i finish the book n c wat else the author has to give to teen readers…i hope that this book has dept in it cuz the bookz i have read latly are really, really shaloww and i want to read something that has same really good meaningg and a good lesson to all…
This sounds like a classic to me with a protanganist trying to overcome her struggles in her life. Hopefully i can get my hands on this.
This sounds like a classic to me with a protanganist trying to overcome her struggles in her life. Hopefully i can get my hands on this.
I finished reading Pieces of Me. It was okay, it was just I’ve read a lot of books that are pretty similiar.
I finished reading Pieces of Me. It was okay, it was just I’ve read a lot of books that are pretty similiar.
I loved the passion and the strong friendship of this book!!!
I loved the passion and the strong friendship of this book!!!
I really liked it though it was odd in the beginngin it still was pretty good read it in a day and a hlaf
I really liked it though it was odd in the beginngin it still was pretty good read it in a day and a hlaf
I think the main reason why i liked it so much was because of the story in it. and how sad it seemed and how it just got better. and that if you face anything head on there’s always a chance of succeding
I think the main reason why i liked it so much was because of the story in it. and how sad it seemed and how it just got better. and that if you face anything head on there’s always a chance of succeding
I recently just heard of this book but it seems pretty fantastic and everyone is giving very good responses to it so i’ll for sure try and check it out more before i decided on weather or not to borrow it
I recently just heard of this book but it seems pretty fantastic and everyone is giving very good responses to it so i’ll for sure try and check it out more before i decided on weather or not to borrow it
Ok well i’ve finally convinced myself to put a hold on this book but sadly now i only have a few spaces left before i hit my holding limit. so now i have to be careful on what books i choose to put a hold on
Ok well i’ve finally convinced myself to put a hold on this book but sadly now i only have a few spaces left before i hit my holding limit. so now i have to be careful on what books i choose to put a hold on
lol i had that same problem just a few weeks ago. and i was quite surprised i actually never knew there was a limit until i hit it. now i’m glad i have space and am very ready to start burrowing again
lol i had that same problem just a few weeks ago. and i was quite surprised i actually never knew there was a limit until i hit it. now i’m glad i have space and am very ready to start burrowing again
Ya he did write the everest books. that’s how good he is being able to write child books to teen books to serious earth chattering books
Ya he did write the everest books. that’s how good he is being able to write child books to teen books to serious earth chattering books
hmm i’m tired now. i’ll just give a shout out to pieces of me and once again recommend to all
hmm i’m tired now. i’ll just give a shout out to pieces of me and once again recommend to all
Well pieces of me was a great reader, and it’s a pretty big eye opener
Well pieces of me was a great reader, and it’s a pretty big eye opener
Ya, i jsut recently read the book and it was quite intresting indeed
Ya, i jsut recently read the book and it was quite intresting indeed
The thing i liked most about it was that it was quite unexpected what went on in the book
The thing i liked most about it was that it was quite unexpected what went on in the book
So i wonder what other types of book are out there that are like this
So i wonder what other types of book are out there that are like this
’cause i actually did kinda liked this book, though there were some rough spots here and there
’cause i actually did kinda liked this book, though there were some rough spots here and there
Ya that’s so true, through the story it was kinda rough to read becuase it didn’t flow when i read the story
Ya that’s so true, through the story it was kinda rough to read becuase it didn’t flow when i read the story
But i still think the book was good, just the author has to work on writing that flows in the book smoothly or else it won’t be worth the read for a reader
But i still think the book was good, just the author has to work on writing that flows in the book smoothly or else it won’t be worth the read for a reader
So hoepfully she get’s better, ’cause her storys arn’t bad and she could become a very good author
So hoepfully she get’s better, ’cause her storys arn’t bad and she could become a very good author
And it does deserve this award of the week, but i think it could be better as well
And it does deserve this award of the week, but i think it could be better as well
i need to start reading this book it sound great well i think it sounds great i need to start reading it to find out plus i need to look for the book in the libary if they have it if they don’t i’lll hate the libary for ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol hahahahahahahahahahhaha
i need to start reading this book it sound great well i think it sounds great i need to start reading it to find out plus i need to look for the book in the libary if they have it if they don’t i’lll hate the libary for ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol hahahahahahahahahahhaha