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Willow Heath

Will predominantly writes about the books of Books and Bao, examining the literature of a place and how the authors have used the art of storytelling to reflect the world and the culture around them.

Daphne du Maurier was known as a legend of atmospheric, unsettling gothic horror. Her magnum opus, Rebecca, is a perfect evolution of Bronte-esque gothic, and her short stories were often chilling nightmare fuel. But, for fans of Rebecca who are wanting more, what classic and modern books like Rebecca are out there to enjoy? Fans …

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Translated from the Kannada by Tejaswini Niranjana I love big, sprawling, bustling cities. I love the way they constantly shift and change, never staying the same from one year to the next. I love the electric energy, the speed of life, and the background hum that never quietens down. One thing that makes cities so …

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The Rhine is a fascinating river. Beginning in the Swiss Alps, it flows north through Germany and The Netherlands, creating natural borders for France and Liechtenstein, before flowing free into the North Sea. There are six cities on the Rhine river for you to explore. Its name is of Celtic origin and translates to ‘raging …

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The anime adaptation of The Promised Neverland manga released its first season in 2019 to critical praise. The show finally offered answers to anime fans wondering why manga readers were so obsessed with the series. But, for fans won over by the anime, is The Promised Neverland manga worth reading? Yes. Here’s why. What is …

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Translated from the Spanish by Annie McDermott In 2019, the English translation of Selva Almada’s The Wind That Lays Waste (translated by Chris Andrews) was Books and Bao’s favourite translated novel of the year. Twelve months later, we’re already gifted another sharp and cutting Almada book, once again published by Charco Press: Dead Girls, translated …

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Language and translation are inescapably tied together. Studying one or both can lead wide-eyed and curious linguists deep down historical, cultural, and even philosophical rabbit holes. When we study language and translation, we study anthropology, geography, history, tradition, and more. Books about language in translation can open doors to new ways of thinking and seeing …

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The publishing world, wherever in the world you are, is still dominated by men: male writers, editors, and publishers. This is despite the fact that the majority of readers around the world are women, and that so much of the best writing has always come from women authors. Today, the best Japanese novels are all …

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There are few books that have had as much of a broad inspiration on the modern artistic and cultural zeitgeist as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Lewis Carroll’s children’s book, its sequel, and his poem The Jabberwocky have inspired artists, filmmakers, and writers in a way that is immeasurable. One particular brand of artist that has …

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Translated from the Japanese by Sam Bett & David Boyd Mieko Kawakami is already a superstar author in her native Japan. A philosophical and feminist powerhouse of beautiful prose, interwoven with discussions on death, birth, womanhood, growth, and change. She is now a rising star in the English language, too, thanks to translations of works …

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There are few fandoms as enthusiastic and impassioned as the anime fan community. For this reason, it can be quite intimidating to figure out where to start when looking to get into anime. Hopping on Reddit and asking for the best anime for beginners will undoubtedly spark a heated debate that will leave you feeling …

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