Poll: Which Novel Should I Translate? (Closed)

October 16, 2013 by peanuts 23 Comments

The poll is closed and Silent Separation had been chosen as the next translation project.

Since there is only about a quarter of Shan Shan left to be translated, I’ve been thinking which book should I translate next or should I just retire and concentrate on reading my ever increasing pile of novels? Hence, I decide to let my readers exercise their preferences through voting in a poll. See, I am so nice, lol. Most of the books listed are written by Gu Man since I am a fan and you can find further information in the book bar. If you want to vote for other books, leave me a comment but no ancient, sad or long novels. In view that I will be translating a book written in a communist country, I do not necessary translate the book with the most votes. Nonetheless, it’ll form a big part of my consideration.

Thank you to everyone who voted. This is getting interesting. After two days of voting, it seems Silent Separation is going neck to neck with You Dare Marry Me, I Dare Marry You. Hey, don’t mix this book up with the K-drama Marry Him if You Dare ! I am surprised that this book has so many votes. Is it because there is no Viet translation? I wish to inform you that if this book does get translated, it will not be a word for word translation and some parts will be summarised. Anyway, I hope the result will reflect the preference of the majority. Bear in mind, the book with the most votes will not automatically be chosen:P

Silent Separation by Gu Man

This is such a classic that I am kind of afraid of stuffing it up with my translation. Many people love this novel but my feeling is just average only. The storyline is not that great but Gu Man’s warm language and writing elevate this book to a higher level. Lidge is obssessed with lawyer He and she said it is the only book she will help me to translate. However, can I trust her as she takes a long long time to keep her promises:P? I don’t mind translating this novel with Lidge’s help since the novel is short but I wonder if many of my readers will like it as the English speaking readers tend to have different reading taste from the Chinese ones.

Just One Smile is Very Alluring by Gu Man

This is another classic novel by Gu Man. It can be considered a new genre, the online game kind. At the beginning when I started reading it, it took me some time to understand all the online gaming terminologies. Those who do not play online game find it difficult to read this book. Nonetheless, this is still a sweet and nice novel. Eeeeeee, I am a bit worried that I cannot do the book justice with my translation considering I do not play online game. Also, I am not sure if my readers who do not play online game will be able to accept or like this new genre.

Blazing Sunlight by Gu Man

I have not read this book yet because only book one has been published. I am not sure when book two will be released taking into consideration Gu Man’s slowness like a turtle. Thus, I don’t know who is the OTP as there are two equally swoon worthy guys in the novel as per Lidge. Maybe, by the time I finish translating book 1, book 2 will be released but I cannot promise you. I am quite keen on this book because while translating it, I can also read it at the same time. However, the length of the book and the uncertainty of the male lead make me think twice.

KAO, I’ve been Submerged ! by Diamond Barbie

I think Xinn Xinn voted for this book but can you trust her taste, lol? Actually this is a very funny book but the female lead is rather annoying and silly whereas the male lead is a bit too cool for my liking. I cannot guarantee the funny parts will not get lost in translation. Also, I am not sure if my readers will find it funny even though Lidge, Xinn & I think it is hilarious. The story is short so it is a plus. However, I still think the female lead is too stupid so some people like Phong may find her irritating.

You Dare Marry Me, I Dare Marry You by Flourishing

This is a little known internet novel which I think is not even published. I have not read it yet but it seems to have many fans. Seoul and Hui3r like the book so much that they ended up reading other books written by this author. According to Lidge, there is no Viet translation. Nutella requested me to translate it because she likes it very much but cannot understand it completely. I am not sure if my Chinese is any better than her. But, no worries because I manage to get my landlord who has been hibernating to help out, lol. She says the book is quite fun. Unfortunately I found the book boring and did not even manage to finish reading it.

I am Pickled Vegetable, You are Fish by Guan Jiu

Remember I did a pilot chapter of this book to test the water? The response is moderate as I have got about 4 favourable responses. I did not finish reading the novel so translating it will enable me to finish it. I just found out that my landlord hui3r turned to the dark side all because of this book, lol. Before reading this book, she will only listen to audio book but will not read ebook with the help of the robot. This book is the breaking point because since reading it she has become addicted to ebook. Hence, she will help me with the translation and this novel is quite short, so yippee hooray…..