You might see Lualhati Bautista’s ‘Dekada ’70’ under Penguin Classics soon

Many creative individuals translated fact-based studies about the country’s Martial Law era through their work. One of them is Lualhati Bautista, who penned the award-winning book Dekada ’70. Almost four decades after it was released, Penguin Classics apparently offered to publish her Filipino classic’s English translation under their imprint.

On Thursday, January 20, Bautista shared on Facebook an excerpt of an e-mail she received from Penguin Classics publisher Elda Rotor. The writer-activist said, ‘Bakit ba ngayon ko lang ito naisipang ipagyabang–este, i-post. January 5 pa ito, a. E- mail from New York.’

In the email, Rotor expressed her thoughts on Dekada ’70 and said that she was “intrigued by the work and its impact and study in Philippine classrooms.” She also explained that she read the English translation, which has the potential to reach a wider audience, especially students, outside the Philippines.

Rotor proceeded to ask Bautista if she was interested in discussing the novel’s publication as a Penguin Classics edition. The writer didn’t disclose her decision yet as of writing.

Originally written in Tagalog, Dekada ’70 follows the story of a middle-class family living during Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship in 1970s Philippines. It focuses on the experience of housewife and mother Amanda Bartolome, who watches her sons grow up under Martial Law. The book won a Palanca Award in 1983, the same year it was published.

The novel’s English edition was translated by Clarisse B. De Jesus and is currently self-published by Bautista. You can order online by sending her a private message.

Penguin Classics is an imprint of British publishing house Penguin Books that publishes classic titles from around the world, including Wuthering Heights, Little Women, and Les Miserables.

The post <b>You might see Lualhati Bautista’s ‘Dekada ’70’ under Penguin Classics soon </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.

Source: we the pvblic