10 of the Most Translated Books in the World
Reading books from other countries can give us a look into cultures and ways of life very different from our own. This time, we’ll introduce some of the most translated books in the world based on their country of origin.
Because of their popularity, it is possible you have read one or more of them before. If not, here is a great chance to open your mind to new stories and ways of looking at the world!
The Little Prince - France (382+ languages)
Number one on the list is The Little Prince, which was originally published in English and French in 1943.
Written by the French author, poet and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, it tells the story of a young prince from a small planet who visits many other worlds and meets the people who live there. It deals with themes such as love, friendship and human nature. The book's charming illustrations were even drawn by the author himself.
The French newspaper Le Monde named The Little Prince one of the most important and memorable books written in the 20th century regardless of language. There is even an award in Iran for writers under 15 called The Little Prince Award!
The Adventures of Pinocchio - Italy (300+ languages)
You may be more familiar with film versions of Pinocchio's story, but they are all based on an Italian novel by Carlo Collodi published in 1883.
The Adventures of Pinocchio is the story of Geppetto, a woodcarver who makes a marionette, a type of puppet that can be controlled with strings. This marionette, which he names Pinocchio, dreams of becoming a real boy and goes on many dangerous and exciting adventures. His most famous feature is his nose, which grows longer whenever he tells a lie.
The novel has become a classic of children’s literature and has been made into films many times, with perhaps the most famous being Disney’s animated movie from 1940. More recently, it was made into a film for Netflix in 2022.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - England (175+ languages)
The book from England with the most translations is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll and published in 1865. Just like Pinocchio, it has been made into film versions many times, which may be more familiar to modern audiences.
Alice is a young girl who accidentally travels to a fantasy world filled with talking animals and other unusual characters.
The story went on to become a major influence in literature, film and other creative arts. It even inspired a song by The Beatles. Additionally, Alice remains an inspiration for fashion trends and classic Halloween costumes you can see easily today.
Andersen’s Fairy Tales - Denmark (160+ languages)
Rather than one novel, this is a collection of stories all written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.
Andersen is responsible for some of the most recognizable stories and characters in the world. Many of these stories have been made into films, cartoons and theatrical plays. Some of the most famous of his stories include The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Match Girl and The Ugly Duckling.
Testament - Ukraine (150+ languages)
The most-translated work from the Ukraine is not a novel but a poem. It was written by Taras Shevchenko, a writer, artist and political figure in the 19th century.
The poem is a strong expression of the writer’s love of his country and his wish to be buried surrounded by its natural beauty. It's about faith, freedom and wanting to be closer to God.
The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha - Spain (140+ languages)
Don Quixote is a name that is famous in the English-speaking world, even among people who have never read this novel from 1605. It was written by novelist, poet and playwright Miguel de Cervantes.
It tells the story of a man who has a low rank in high-class society. He goes on a journey and attempts to become a heroic and legendary adventurer. However, his grand ideas do not match his actual life. The story is both tragic and comedic since it deals with ideals and fantasies that become bigger and more powerful than reality.
This story is responsible for the term “quixotic,” an adjective describing something that is very unrealistic and impractical.
The Way to Happiness - L. Ron Hubbard - The United States (112+ languages)
The next on our list is very different from the others. Rather than a poem or a story for children, The Way to Happiness is a book written to help adults achieve a better life. It was written by L. Ron Hubbard, who was both an author and the founder of the controversial organization called Scientology.
The Way to Happiness is actually a booklet, and it contains a list of precepts, or rules for behavior or thought. Included in these precepts are rules such as “Seek to Live with the Truth,” “Do Not Harm a Person of Good Will” and ”Try to Treat Others as You Would Want Them to Treat You.”
People everywhere in the world are searching for ways to improve their lives, so perhaps it is no surprise that a book like this has been translated into so many languages.
The Adventures of Tintin - Belgium (93+ languages)
This entry on our list is actually a series of comics that was first published in French in the late 1920s. It was created by Georges Prosper Remi, who is popularly known as Hergé.
Tintin is a reporter who goes on a variety of adventures around the world with his pet dog Snowy. These works feature an iconic and influential art style, and stories that mix action, mystery and comedy with references to social issues. However, they have also been criticized for including negative stereotypes of certain ethnic groups.
The Tragedy of Man - Hungary (93+ languages)
This is another entry on the list that isn't exactly a book. The Tragedy of Man is a theatrical play written by Imre Madách that was first published in 1861. It tells the story of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman created by God.
Adam dreams that he is traveling through time and seeing the future of humanity. As you might guess from the "tragedy" in the title, Adam does not always like what he sees.
It’s a story about pride, temptation and the meaning of life. These are themes that people can relate to no matter where they live or what language they speak.
The Alchemist - Brazil (80+ languages)
The Alchemist is a world-famous story written in Portuguese by Paulo Cohelo and first published in 1988. “Alchemy” is a fantastical type of science and philosophy with very ambitious goals such as making gold from simple metals, creating a medicine that cures all diseases, and discovering a way for people to live forever.
The story is about a boy who has dreams of a treasure hidden somewhere near the pyramids of Egypt. On his journey to find it, he meets characters who change his life and teach him very valuable lessons.
Like others on this list, The Alchemist inspired other works such as comics, films, theatrical plays and even a symphony. The book itself is quite short compared to most novels, so English learners shouldn’t feel intimidated to read it!
Read the world!
Art that can entertain and inspire people around the world is a very special thing. Each of the items on this list started in one country and language before it gained popularity in places very far away and with very different cultures.
If you’d like to learn more about the world while also practicing your English, you have many options to choose from! Pick the story that is the most interesting to you and challenge yourself to read it in English.
