Planeta Prize winner tough to find in English translation

Angeles Caso, the author who on October 15 was awarded the second-richest book prize in the world, the Spanish-language Premio Planeta, does not seem to be translated anywhere for English readers.

Most of Caso's works are published by Barcelona-based Planeta, the leading Spanish-language publisher worldwide and home to countless international bestselling authors. In 2006 Planeta began a co-publishing and translation agreement with HarperCollins, one of the world's largest English-language book houses.

But despite Caso's victory a HarperCollins spokesperson told Relaxnews October 16 that they are not aware of any plans to translate the awarded book, Contra el viento (Against the Wind). HarperCollins also confirmed that they do not currently offer any of Caso's works, making it unlikely that she can be found in the English language.

Planeta has not yet announced any plans for translation for Caso's winner. Planeta also published the 2008 Planeta Prize winner, La hermandad de la buna suerte (The Brotherhood of Good Luck) by Fernando Savater, and that work has not yet been translated into English.

Caso has worked under the pseudonym Virginia Evora, a name seemingly absent from the English-speaking world's bookshelves.

There are options available if you want to buy Caso's work from English-based companies, but you'll need to speak Spanish to read them. However, these options do not currently include her Planeta Prize winner.

On Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, the author's Fernando Lara Prize winner, Un largo silencio (A Long Silence) can be found starting at $16.11 (€10.80) new. Her 1994 Premio Planeta runner-up El peso de las sombras (The Weight of Shadows) begins at $11.90 (€8) in paperback form.

But these Spanish imports don't stay cheap for long: A used hardcover version of her novel on Empress Elizabeth of the Austro-Hungarian empire runs a hefty $95.43 (€64.10), while a used paperback version costs $61.78 (€41.50).

At Waterstone's, the UK's largest book chain, El Resto De La Vida (The Rest of Life) is the only Caso title available, at a price of £11.00 (€12.10).