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View submission: Best Translated Novel of 2024 - Voting Thread
My Favourite Scar - Nicolas Ferraro, Mallory Craig-Kuhn (translator)
I was really impressed by “My Favourite Scar” by Nicolas Ferraro. It offers a fresh perspective on the coming-of-age genre, unfolding against the backdrop of the Argentina-Paraguay border.
The story delves into the gritty life of fifteen-year-old Ambar and her father, Victor, who is deeply entangled in criminal activities. It’s a raw narrative that captures the struggles of Ambar as she constantly moves to evade the consequences of her father’s actions, leading to a palpable tension between them.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the morally ambiguous characters. No one is purely “bad” or “good,” adding layers of complexity to the story. Ambar’s internal conflict, torn between loyalty to her family and her desire for stability and openness with her peers, felt incredibly real.
The book doesn’t shy away from tough themes like violence and trauma, but I found that these elements added depth and authenticity to the narrative, making it all the more impactful.
What stood out to me was the author’s ability to handle emotional and surprising themes with ease. The writing is engaging without being overly embellished, allowing the story to flow naturally. It was a captivating read that I’ve recommended to others.
I enjoyed the audiobook version, narrated by Stacy Gonzalez, whose exceptional voice acting brought the characters to life with sincerity and conviction.
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