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Literary World Cup 2018

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    Literary World Cup 2018

    Of course, the reliance on translations for the most part makes Anglophone assessments problematic, but better to at least make the attempt.

    Group A:

    1. Russia - Between Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Gogol, among others, easy group winners.
    2. Egypt - Naguib Mahfouz is the most celebrated Egyptian author, and Cairo is the publishing centre of the Arab world.
    3. Uruguay - Surely has authors of note, but none appear to have gained global renown.
    4. Saudi Arabia - Little literary tradition due to Wahhabism.

    Group B:

    1. Spain - Cervantes in the past of course, but Cercas and Perez-Reverte are lighting up the present.
    2. Portugal - Eco de Queiroz, Saramago ensure qualification.
    3. Iran - Reliant on old classics, such as Firdusi and Omar Khayyam.
    4. Morocco - Tahar Ben Jelloun won the IMPAC Award, but is outclassed here.

    Group C:

    1. France - Strong tournament contenders, between Hugo, Balzac, Proust and Camus.
    2. Australia - Not a traditional heavyweight, but Carey, White, Kenneally and James demonstrate literary depth.
    3. Peru - Over-reliant on Vargas Llosa.
    4. Denmark - Have rather faded after previous glories with Andersen.

    Group D:

    1. Iceland - Along with sagas and Halldor Laxness, have made a Nordic noir impact with Indridason.
    2. Nigeria - The literary capital of Anglophone Africa.
    3. Argentina - Borges nearly secures qualification but has no support.
    4. Croatia - Like Peru, reliant on Andric for global renown.

    Group E:

    1. Brazil - A rather weak group, this, but Paulo Coelho would be the most read author from any of these countries.
    2. Switzerland - Largely down to Wyss's Swiss Family Robinson
    3. Serbia - The Balkans has a notable literary tradition, but little is available in English.
    4. Costa Rica - Even if one cheats with the Nicaraguan Ruben Dario, it's rather thin gruel.

    Group F:

    1. Germany - A clear winner, between Goethe, Mann, Grass, Tec.
    2. Mexico - Roberto Bolano and Octavio Paz just edge it.
    3. Sweden - Of course we're familiar with Mankell and Larsson in recent times, but quantity appears to dominate over quality.
    4. South Korea - Perhaps more famous for music than literature.

    Group G:

    1. England - A consistent contender for ultimate honours.
    2. Belgium - Little in the way of modern goalscorers, with Herge and Maeterlinck previous legends
    3. Tunisia
    4. Panama - Rank according to your personal preference.

    Group H:

    1. Japan - Murakami, Mishima and Ishiguoro win the group.
    2. Colombia - Garcia Marquez proves the star player.
    3. Poland - Milosz and Prus would be the most translated authors.
    4. Senegal - Senghor was in the Academie Francaise.
    Last edited by Diable Rouge; 21-06-2018, 15:43.

    #2
    Last 16:

    Russia vs Portugal - A comfortable triumph for the home side.
    Spain vs Egypt - Similarly, strength in depth prevails here.
    France vs Nigeria - The favourites show class in their progression.
    Iceland vs Australia - Youth favours the Antipodeans.
    Brazil vs Mexico - Hardly the strongest knockout tie.
    Germany vs Switzerland - Again, prevail without breaking sweat.
    England vs Colombia - No real upset here.
    Japan vs Belgium - Tournament dark horses, perhaps?

    Comment


      #3
      Quarter-finals:

      Russia vs France - Perhaps an upset in the heavyweight clash, but recent form favours the hosts.
      Spain vs Australia - One of the tighter battles, but goes according to history.
      Mexico vs England - Too stiff a contest for the Central Americans.
      Germany v Japan - Another shock, but form upends tradition.

      Comment


        #4
        Semi-finals:

        Spain vs Japan - Again, the Asians' strength is shown in their most recent literary offerings.
        Russia vs England - Would have graced a final, and the home side edge a tight contest.

        Final:

        Russia vs Japan - After defying the odds to reach the decider, the Japanese authors are unable to cope with the juggernaut Russian outfit.

        Comment


          #5
          You can't just decide it yourself. Ypou might as well list your favourite books

          Comment


            #6
            Who tapped up Ishiguro for Japan? Represented England at under-40 level, can't switch now.

            Comment


              #7
              "He's one of our o, o, own - Ishiguro; he's one of our own!"

              Comment


                #8
                What's Sir Kazuo's tat situation?

                Comment


                  #9
                  If Belgium left George Simenon at home no wonder they went out early

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Benjm View Post
                    What's Sir Kazuo's tat situation?
                    He has Malcolm Bradbury on his right bicep.

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