Episode 61: Stephanie Smee discusses her beautiful translation of Pascal Janovak’s prize-winning novel, “The Rome Zoo”

Photo Credit: Guy Buchheit

Australian translator Stephanie Smee discusses her translation from the French of Pascal Janovjak’s prize-winning novel, The Rome Zoo. Written almost in the style of a fable, it tells the story of the history of the famous Rome Zoo set against the history of Italy in the twentieth century. Stephanie discusses the book’s major themes, including the absurdity (and cruelty) of human attempts to control and conquer nature, as well as the critical importance of translation as an “act of empathy” which emphasises our diversity while at the same time reminding us of our common humanity. It is a stunningly beautiful book and this was a great conversation.

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