Monday 17 January 2011

Latvian book give-away

I have had a name change. I am now Elisa Hokinsa. At least in Latvia. To my great surprise I got a parcel from Panmac on Saturday which turned out to be my three copies of the Latvian edition of Testament, or Testaments as it’s rendered in Latvian. I'd forgotten that there was an edition coming out...
As you can see below it’s a very handsome book – hardback with a laminated cover and no irritating dustjacket. Personally, I think this is how all hardback editions should be produced.

Now, I don’t speak Latvian, neither do I know anybody who does so if you have any Latvian friends who do, I have two copies to give away to good homes. Leave a message in the comments trail if you're interested and I'll get back to you. Otherwise it’ll be ebay...
For other language geeks amonst you, Latvian, it turns out (thanks, Wikipedia) is a proto-Indo-European language closely related to Lithuanian. The other Baltic country, Estonia, has a language which is not related to either of its neighbours and is not even Indo-European, belonging instead to that odd little linguistic group Finno-Ugric which includes Finnish and Hungarian.
There, thought you’d be interested.

7 comments:

C. N. Nevets said...

What an awesomely produced book that is. Wish I spoke Latvian. haha

And thanks for the background on the language. I am, in fact, a language geek.

C. N. Nevets said...

Posted some links around to see if anyone in my circles can read Latvian.

Alis said...

Thanks, Nevets - you're a star!
PS Us language geeks must stick together...

Jane said...

You know, I'd dearly love to have a copy of a novel in Latvian. I have a friend whose family was displaced after WWII. She's been in the US every since, but continues to speak Latvian and has taught her children the language. We have been out of touch for over ten years now, and making a gift of the book would present a lovely reason to reestablish contact.

Frances Garrood said...

Your new name is sooooo cool, Alis!
And I love the cover.

Alis said...

Hi Jane - that sounds like a great idea. If you could email me your address to alishawkins@live.co.uk, I'll ship you a copy.

Hi Frances - quite something being re-Christened in your forties, eh? And yes, the book is very splendid, I think. In fact, if we're discounting sentimental reasons (first edition published was UK one etc) I think it's my favourite edition. Shame I can't understand a single word!

Anonymous said...

Hi Alis,
I'm from Latvia and have read your book in Latvian. The book cover is great and we're lucky to have that. Your book is written very well and I loved the ending. There were times when I was very supprised, about past, and that running contest, especially the end of it. Really one of the thoughtful books I've ever read.
Hope to read other books from you someday,
Monta