Fiction in Translation and Short Stories

Who says that when you pick up a book, you have to commit to several hundred pages to find out what happens at the end?

With short story books, you can pick them up and enjoy a full tale from start to finish in just one or two sittings. They are ideal for anyone short on time, or who simply enjoys reading a wide variety of narratives in one title.

Also on this page you’ll find translated works. It’s often just the very best novels that get translated into English, so you know they will be top quality.

From translated short story books to collections, Booktopia offers a range of short story works and translated books.

Translated books
Reading translated books can give us insights into other places and cultures, and offer new perspectives and ideas.

One example is We’ll prescribe you a cat, a Japanese bestseller that celebrates the healing power of cats. It explores multiple narratives, each one focusing on someone struggling in life, but helped by a charming, loving cat.

Another hugely popular translated work is The Three-Body Problem trilogy. This mind-bending sci-fi series explores what could happen should a civilisation broadcast its location amongst the universe, offering space exploration and philosophy on a whole new scale.

Short story books
Short story books come in all shapes and sizes, from the funny and light to the spooky or fantastic.

Highways and Byways is one such example. This collection of true stories is from none other than Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes. He covers some of his biggest disasters, dreams come true, and daring escapades, all within one book.

There’s even a collection from legendary crime writer Lee Child. Safe Enough is a selection of 20 pulse-pounding standalone short stories, exploring tales from gangsters, CIA agents, assassins, and more.

For something entirely different, readers can pick up Asa: The Girl Who Turned into a Pair of Chopsticks. This short story book shares a number of dark and unsettling tales, each of which starts off in an entirely innocuous manner, before devolving into something entirely unexpected.

Be it a short story book, a translated book, or even a short story book that has been translated, this page promises a world – and even a galaxy – of possibilities. Discover just how far you can go with short story collections and translated books here with Booktopia.