Jana Beňová: "A Revolution Against Normality!"
We are thrilled to announce that we have signed a two-book deal with Slovak writer, Jana Beňová! Despite having her work translated extensively throughout Europe, her two novels with Two Dollar Radio will mark her English-language debut. It will also mark the first time that we will have ever published a work in translation.
The Austrian Broadcasting Corporation states that Beňová's novels are "a revolution against normality." We agree. There is a liveliness and effervescence to Beňová’s prose that is magnetic and utterly singular. Whether addressing the loneliness of relationships or the effectiveness of rat poison, her voice and observations call to mind the verve and sophistication of Renata Adler or Rosalyn Drexler, while remaining utterly singular.
We will publish Beňová's novel, Seeing People Off, which won the European Union Prize for Literature, in March 2017.
Seeing People Off follows Elza and Ian, a young couple living in a humongous apartment complex outside Bratislava where the walls play music and talk, and time is immaterial.
Drawing on her memories, everyday interactions, observations of post-socialist realities, and Elza’s attraction to actor, Kalisto Tanzi, Seeing People Off is a kaleidoscopic, poetic, and deeply funny portrait of a relationship.
Believe me: you're going to dig it.
The second novel of Beňová's that we will publish is Honeymoon, which was just released in Slovakia late last year. In Beňová's signature prose style, Honeymoon tells the story of a newly-married couple that honeymoons separately.
Here is a video interview with Beňová produced after she won the EU Prize for Literature:
Here, also, is the book formula we cooked up for Seeing People Off:
If you are a bookseller or critic interested in receiving an Advance Review Copy of Seeing People Off, you can request one.
You can also pre-order the book now ensuring you'll be the first cool kid on your block with a copy.
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Janet Livingstone - September 16, 2016
nice promo! :-) So excited to be working with you and Jana B.
Janet