True North: Literary Translation in the Nordic Countries is the first book to focus solely on literary translation from, to, and between the Nordic tongues. The book is divided into three main sections. These are novels, children's literature, and other genres - encompassing drama, crime fiction, sagas, cookbooks, and music - although, naturally, there are connections and overlapping themes between the sections. Halldor Laxness, Virginia Woolf, Selma Lagerlof, Astrid Lindgren, Mark Twain, Henrik Ibsen, Henning Mankell, Janis Joplin, and Jamie Oliver are just some of the authors analysed. Topics examined include particular translatorial challenges; translating for specific audiences or influencing audiences through translation; re-translation; the functions of translated texts; the ways in which translation can change a genre; the creation of identity through translation; and more. As is clear from this list, many of the theories proposed and findings discussed here are also relevant to the wider field of translation studies, as well as to literary studies more generally.
It is time for the world's growing Nordicmania to influence the field of translation studies, and for translation to take its place as a relevant and essential issue in our understanding of the Northern countries. The varied chapters in this book will contribute to these stimulating and critical conversations.