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Contributor

Allison M. Charette

Portrait of Allison M. Charette

Contributor

Allison M. Charette

United States

Allison M. Charette translates mostly fiction by Malagasy authors Michèle Rakotoson, Johary Ravaloson, Naivo, and others. She founded ELTNA.org, a networking and support group for early-career translators, and has received both an NEA Literary Translation Fellowship and a PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grant. Her other translations include graphic novels and children’s books....

Find her online at charettetranslations.com.

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Articles by Allison M. Charette

First Read—From “Return to the Enchanted Island”

By Johary Ravaloson

In Johary Ravaloson’s Return to the Enchanted Island, translated by Allison M. Charette and out tomorrow with Amazon Crossing, Ietsy Razak comes of age amidst the enchanted origin myths of Madagascar.…

Translated by Allison M. Charette

Water in the Rice Fields up to My Knees!

By Johary Ravaloson

Since when do dead people care about rice?

Translated from French by Allison M. Charette

Quipapá Gold

By Hubert Tézenas

He recruits men and trains them and organizes all sorts of crime from his cell.

Translated from French by Allison M. Charette

Knowing the Unknowable: Writing from Madagascar

By Allison M. Charette

Not a single novel from Madagascar, whether written in French or Malagasy, has ever appeared in English.

Abandoning Myself

By Magali Nirina Marson

Besides, poverty’s not interesting, and I don’t want them to pity me

Translated from French by Allison M. Charette

Multilingual

The Conspiracists

First and foremost, what proves to me that you are what you say you are?

Translated from French by Allison M. Charette

from “The Lamenting Land”

By Andry Andraina

We made God wait his turn, because we wanted to eat meat.

Translated from Malagasy by Mialy Andriamananjara & Allison M. Charette

Nenitou

By David Jaomanoro

Story, story. If there is a falsehood in my tale, it is not I who has lied to you.

Translated from French by Allison M. Charette

Blastomycosis

The adults didn’t risk wandering about in broad daylight . . .

Translated from French by Allison M. Charette

Auntie’s Eggs

By Iharilanto Patrick Andriamangatiana

It’s a well-known fact that rhyming jingles attract customers.

Translated from French by Allison M. Charette

One Times Two

By Cyprienne Toazara

In the house on the hill, a bright, spacious room was waiting for a cradle.

Translated from French by Allison M. Charette