Trafika Europe 2 - Polish Nocturne

Echoing the idea of sonnets from Eastern Europe, another highlight here is a "wreath" of 15 sonnets by Hungarian- Roma poet László Sárközi. Mentored by the now deceased enfant terrible of Hungarian literature, György Faludy, Sárközi explores the strained relation between his Roma and Hungarian identity, in this candid, hard, beautiful sequence. As with the sonnets by Tomasz Różycki, the translator here de-emphasised the traditional rhyme scheme from the originals, to best capture the rhythm and flavour of these startling sonnets in English. Speaking of translators, this issue features some of the finest around, including works translated by Bill Johnston, Mira Rosenthal – and Michael Hofmann, in a chapter here from acclaimed Swiss-German novelist Peter Stamm's brand new work in English, All Days are Night . Finally, to get you in that seasonal mood, we're offering an entire noir short story, Kiss of Santa , by Finland's top crime writer, Leena Lehtolainen. These are long, generous selections from some of Europe's finest novelists and poets today. Some readers tell us our new digest format is the first time they've really been able to read quality literature online. So we hope you may approach in this spirit! Slow down, make a tea, settle in and experience these works as they so richly deserve, in our reading room online. Go "full screen" (with that little icon below the book if on a PC) for best reading. . . and enjoy!

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