So happy to announce that Pamplemousses Éditions is publishing the French translation of The Coral Heart in Mauritius and the book launch will be on May 16, 2019 at Hennessy Park Hotel in Mauritius. Looking forward to seeing many of you there.
I would like to thank Robert Furlong, a writer, actor and a kind friend based in Mauritius. He wanted this historical fiction about Chinese immigration in Mauritius to reach the larger French audience there, and surprised me by sending me his first draft of the translation. It propelled me to immerse myself in French and edit the translation.
I've always felt the duality in my personality when I switch back and forth in both languages, as in this article I wrote a while ago for The Globe and Mail. For a year, I went back and forth from English to French to bring the essence of the story in the translation. The manuscript was then sent to several publishers.
I'm thrilled that Alain Gordon-Gentil of Pamplemousses Éditions chose to publish my book. He is one of the best French writers in Mauritius. I have read all his books and I respect his writing immensely. And I love his final edit of the translation. Hope you will enjoy it too.
2 comments:
Hi to whom it may concern. I am currently reading this book. The french version. I could have finished the book in one sitting. So, in a way you can say it is a page turner.
I was puzzled when I read that the main character in the book (a Chinese) fell for somebody of a different race and culture. Totally unheard of, especially during those days. But now I read on this webpage that it is a historical fiction. This explains it somewhat i.e. the literary license.
Someone in Mauritius bought my family the book last year. The Pamplemousses edition. FYIP, for the copy of the book which we got, the page numbers do not run in numerical sequence. Good to rectify that if there are plans for reprints. Good thing, the previous reader of the book did all the "sorting" out of the pages.
Nonetheless, overall, I am enjoying the book thoroughly. Well done. Good job.
Thanks for your feedback. Glad you enjoyed my book. Yes, it's a historical fiction. However, it is not impossible for a Chinese in that era to fall in love with a different race. The heart knows no barriers. But society and cultural expectations impose rules that become a struggle for many as expressed in the story.
The publisher is aware of the page error in printing and they were reprinted with the correct pages within a few weeks after the first print, and were given to the stores to replace the misprinted copies. Sorry to hear that the one you read was not replaced.
Wishing you well.
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