Kolkata, Dec 5 (IBNS): Calcutta University professor Malabika Bhattacharya released the English translations of two Spanish books by author Susana Gertopan, in the presence of Ambassador of Paraguay to India Genaro V. Pappalardo and Consul of Paraguay of Kolkata Yash Poddar here on Tuesday.
The two books are El Equilibrista, ('The Tight Rope' in English) and El Callejon Oscuro (The Dark Alley).
El Equilibrista has been translated into English by Roshni Chakraborty, Shinjini Bhattacharyya and Soumi Chatterjee, while El Callejon Oscuro has been translated by Subrata Guha and Sonali Datta.
In her books, Gertopan explores the topics of immigration, exile, memory, separation of families due to Nazi persecution and the Holocaust as well as the shock of generations and the continuation of Jewish traditions, customs and rites among the new generation.
The first novel, published in 2009, narrates the story of three live entangled in a web of love and anguish, set in the background of Paris during war.
The other book El Callejon Oscuro, published in 2010, describes the journey of self-discovery of a Jewish immigrant boy in Paraguayan society.
The Paraguayan writer is not only a famous literary personality in the country but her works are also published in literature text books for secondary schools in Paraguay.
Malabika Bhattacharya, a teacher in Spanish studies, who has read the original work of the author, said, "Susana's books have opened up a new world to me. She writes in a documentary manner yet captivating."
"Her novel is a novel of solitude, melancholy that could be relevant anywhere in the world and the writings has political as well as psychological aspect, which creates a bonding between India and Paraguay," she said.
"I am determined to introduce them to my students at Ramakrishna Mission and University of Calcutta," she said.
The consul of Paraguay in Kolkata Yash Poddar also apprised that the books will be very soon translated into Bengali.
