Adopting and Adapting: U.S. Hits Now Available in Spanish

By Gabriella Salas -- Críticas, 11/15/2005

More and more, the Spanish-language book market in the States is reflecting the selling trends of the English-language publishing industry. The Críticas best seller list, for example, features several translations of such bookstore hits as Dan Brown's Angels and Demons and Rick Warren's A Purpose-Driven Life. Because the English originals have already been promoted heavily, Hispanic bookstore and library patrons are likely to recognize their Spanish translations on the shelves. Among this fall's releases of translations, Críticas notes:

Davis, Kenneth C.
Qué sé yo de la biblia.
(Don't Know Much About the Bible)
tr. by Teresa Arijón. U.S.: Rayo: HarperCollins. 2005. 494p. glossary. index. ISBN 0-06-082079-9. pap. $13.95. RELIGION

In this new addition to his best-selling and critically acclaimed Don't Know Much About series, Davis dissects the Bible. By quoting specific passages of the scriptures (e.g., the falling of the walls of Jericho) and updating them with scientific facts (e.g., the fact that Jericho lies on a tectonic plate), Davis clarifies what he believes are incongruities in the Bible's text. His humorous writing, mostly in a Q&A format, makes this a good starting point for those interested in a critical view of the Good Book. Also available in Spanish this November is the New York Times best seller Qué sé yo de la historia (Don't Know Much About History).

Emoto, Masaru.
Los mensajes ocultos del agua.
(Hidden Messages in Water)
tr. by Rubén Heredia Vásquez. Mexico/U.S.: Alamah: Santillana. 2005. 189p. index. photogs. ISBN 970-770-138-2. pap. $15.95. NEW AGE

Reflecting on the fact that the human body is 70% water, Emoto, a Japanese doctor of alternative medicine, proposes water is deeply connected to people's individual and collective consciousness. Here, he describes the ability of water to absorb, hold, and even retransmit human feelings and emotions. High-speed photographs of crystals formed in frozen water depict the patterns that, according to Emoto form when different thoughts, voice tones, or melodies are directed at the water. More than 600,000 copies have been sold internationally.

Gladwell, Malcom.
Blink.
(Blink. The Power of Thinking Without Thinking)
tr. by Gloria Mengual. U.S.: Santillana. 2005. 293p. index. ISBN 1-59820-087-9. pap. $25.95. PSYCHOLOGY

Journalist and best-selling author Gladwell (The Tipping Point) examines the process of snap decision making, in which most judgments are instantaneous and unconscious. Drawing on scientific research and fascinating case studies, Gladwell concludes that we can make better instant judgments by training our minds and senses to focus on the most relevant facts. Released in English in January 2005 and used by many corporations to inspire workers, Blink has remained on the New York Times best seller list for more than 38 weeks.

Kostova, Elizabeth.
La historiadora.
(The Historian)
tr. by Eduardo G. Murillo. Spain/U.S.: Umbriel: Urano Pub. 2005. 698p. ISBN 84-95618-87-7. pap. $22.95. FICTION

Ten years in the making and well promoted, Kostova's debut novel became an instant best seller in the States and was included in Barnes & Noble's Discover Great New Writers program. Set in Eastern Europe, this is an accomplished retelling of the ancient tale of Dracula. A 16-year-old discovers a manuscript in her father's study, taking readers through a puzzle-like mystery à la Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.