The World’s Most Translated Books: A Global Literary Journey

In an increasingly interconnected world, the act of reading transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries, bringing diverse perspectives and stories to a global audience. At the heart of this cross-cultural exchange lies the art of translation, a complex process that bridges the gap between languages.

Reading and translation combined open doors to a wealth of knowledge and a vast literary heritage. Through translation, the rich tapestry of global literature —from timeless classics to contemporary works— becomes available to readers across the globe.

So, one can only stop and wonder: which are the books that hold the record for being the most translated? Preply, a global language learning service, carried out a research that assessed over 195 countries to show the titles most translated by a native writer in each country. Let’s take a look!

Classics Without Borders

Works of fiction are at the top of the list in North America. In Canada, we have a coming-of-age story that has been adapted into a streaming show: Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The book is available in over 36 languages. For the USA, the most translated title is coincidently the only self-help book in the research: The Way to Happiness, by L. Ron Hubbard. However, for Mexico, it is a magical realism story: Pedro Páramo, by Juan Rulfo, translated into more than 35 languages.

If we move on to South America, we can find Gabriel García Márquez’ One Hundred Years of Solitude, a novel translated into over 49 languages, and Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, available in more than 80 languages. Continuing down the map, we have Chilean author Roberto Bolaño’s 2666, translated into more than 28 languages; Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges’ The Aleph can be found in over 25 languages. Diverting from fiction, the list of the most translated books also includes Open Veins of Latin America, a historical essay by Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano. And the list could go on and on.

Across the Atlantic, among the most translated European titles, we can find many children stories: A Life in the Woods by Austrian writer Felix Salten is available in more than 33 languages; The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, from Italy, was translated into over 300 languages; and British author Lewis Carrol’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has been adapted to more than 175 languages!

One title that many find surprising is the one coming from Latvia: the very specific My System: A Treatise on Chess by Aron Nimzowitch. Among European literary gems, one shines brightest in its global reach: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s French novella, The Little Prince. Its remarkable achievement of being translated into over 382 languages underscores its exceptional and universal appeal.

Venturing further south to Africa, we find standout works like Albert Camus’s The Stranger, which has been translated into an impressive 60 languages, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, available in over 59 languages. In Asia, Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood has reached readers in more than 50 languages, while Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient has been translated into over 30 languages. Over in Oceania, Witi Ihimaera’s The Whale Rider has made its mark in more than 15 languages. These translations highlight the remarkable global impact of these literary works.

The Role of Translators

Behind each of these authors is a dedicated publishing house that not only believes in their work but also invests in skilled translators. These professionals are essential in bridging the gap between the author’s unique voice and the diverse cultural contexts of readers around the world. Their expertise ensures that the author’s passion and intent are faithfully conveyed, allowing the book to resonate across languages and regions. This collaborative effort brings the author’s vision to a global stage, making it accessible and impactful to millions.

Reading and translation are deeply intertwined. While reading introduces us to new ideas and perspectives, translation ensures that these insights can be shared across different languages and contexts. Together, they foster global communication, enrich our collective knowledge, and promote empathy among diverse communities. This dynamic interplay underscores the crucial role of language in shaping our human experience and advancing a sense of global community.