Suzanne by Anas Barbeau-Lavalette, trans. by Rhonda Mullins, makes Best Translated Book Award shortlist

Suzanneby Quebec actress and writer Anas Barbeau-Lavalette, translated from French to English by Rhonda Mullins, has been shortlisted for the Best Translated Book Award.

• Anas Barbeau-Lavalette on the question she's tired of answering

The annual prize celebrates the best translated books of fiction and poetry from around the world. The winning writerand translator willeach receive $5,000 U.S. (approx. $6,388.00 Cdn).

Suzanneis inspired by Barbeau-Lavalette's grandmother, a French Canadian poet associated with the dissident group LesAutomatistes. Suzanneabandoned her husband and their young family and, as a result,Barbaeau-Lavalettegrew up not knowing her grandmother. The novel Suzanne a story that spans oceans, lovers and political movements was created based on the findings of aprivate investigator.

• Catherine Leroux's favourite books in translation

Ten books have been chosen as finalists from a longlist of 25. The other books on the shortlist are:

• Tmas Jnsson, Bestseller by Gubergur Bergsson (Iceland), translated by Lytton Smith
• Compassby Mathias nard(France), translated by Charlotte Mandell
• The Invented Part by Rodrigo Fresn (Argentina), translated by Will Vanderhyden
• Return to the Dark Valley by Santiago Gamboa (Colombia), translated by Howard Curtis
• Old Rendering Plant by Wolfgang Hilbig (Germany), translated by Isabel Fargo Cole
• I Am the Brother of XX by Fleur Jaeggy (Switzerland), translated by Gini Alhadeff
• My Heart Hemmed In by Marie NDiaye (France), translated by Jordan Stump
• August by Romina Paula (Argentina), translated by Jennifer Croft
• Remains of Life by Wu He (Taiwan), translated by Michael Berry

The winners will be announced on May 31, 2018, in New York.

This year's fiction jury is comprised of Caitlin Baker, KasiaBartoszyska, Tara Cheesman-Olmsted, Lori Feathers, Mark Haber, Adam Hetherington, Jeremy Keng, Bradley Schmidt and P.T. Smith.

Read about the poetry finalists here.