Events at the Shop
Faïza Guène and Sarah Ardizzone - World Literature Weekend
Saturday 20 June 2009
Faïza Guène wrote her first novel Kiffe Kiffe demain (published in English as Just Like Tomorrow) when she was 18 years old. It is remarkable for having broken out of the Francophone ghetto, dealing as it does with the banlieues, where disenfranchised young immigrants speak in a mixture of appropriated Arabic and ‘pure’ French that has been skilfully rendered by her translator Sarah Adams (née Ardizonne). As part of World Literature Weekend, Faïza discussed her work with her translator, who also read extracts from Faïza’s second book Dreams from the Endz. Interpreter: Carine Kennedy.
Being in Different Places at the Same Time
Listen now (32:41)
A reading from Dreams from the Endz, attitudes towards the Banlieue, representing inter-generational tensions, and slang in literature and translation.
Stories of People Up Against It
Listen now (32:15)
The Double Penalty, Faïza’s use of humour, France’s ‘bastard’ children, and Faïza’s reception as a writer.
Audience Questions
Listen now (17:48)
Recorded and edited by Adrian Leibowitz
Common Custom:documentary & archive
Faïza Guène was born in France in 1985 to Algerian parents. Her first novel, Just Like Tomorrow, was a huge success in France, selling over 360,000 copies. She lives in Pantin, Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris.
Sarah Ardizzone was highly praised for her translation of Just Like Tomorrow, winning the Scott-Moncrieff Prize 2007. She specialises in translating urban slang, and has spent time living in Marseille to pick up ‘Beur’ backslang.
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this event, you may also be interested in:
Ma Jian and Flora Drew with Boyd Tonkin - World Literature Weekend