Moroccan novel 'Hot Maroc' shortlisted for Italy's Pisa Book Translation Award

The Italian translation of Moroccan writer Yassin Adnan's novel 'Hot Maroc' has achieved a significant literary milestone, being shortlisted for the prestigious Pisa Book Translation Awards. This recognition places the novel among the top contenders for the sixth edition of the award, which honors the best literary translations published in Italian.

Adnan's novel is competing against two other prominent works: 'City of Ghosts' by Taiwanese author Kevin Chen and 'The Impossible Return' by Belgian writer Amélie Nothomb. The Italian translation of 'Hot Maroc' was undertaken by Antonino De Sposito, while Silvia Pozzi translated Chen's work and Isabella Mattesi translated Nothomb's novel.

The Pisa Book Translation Awards ceremony, celebrating literary translations, is scheduled to take place on October 3rd as part of the Pisa Book Festival. The shortlisting of 'Hot Maroc' highlights its international appeal and the growing importance of translated literature in the Italian cultural landscape. This marks the first time an Arabic novel has appeared on the Pisa Book Translation Awards' shortlists.

'Hot Maroc' delves into the complexities of societal shifts in the digital era, following the journey of a shy young man who transforms into an aggressive online persona. The novel critically examines the influence of social media, the spread of fake news, and the impact of digital technologies on society, blending social satire with cultural critique. The novel has previously garnered attention, reaching the longlist for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (Booker) in 2017 and securing shortlistings for its French and English translations in other international literary awards.