You like free books, don't you?

Of course you do.

And what kind of literary blog would this be if I didn't have a book giveaway? (Go ahead and say it: Not a great one.) But let's get down to business: I have two books--a hardcover, like-new copy of Umberto Eco's Baudolino and a paperback, like-new copy of Donna Tartt's The Secret History--that are yours for the taking. So do your homework. Decide which one you want. Then put on your thinking caps. If you want Baudolino, leave a comment or write a blog post about your favorite translated novel. If you're interested in The Secret History, leave a comment or write a blog post about your favorite Greek god or goddess. Then I'll draw names out of a hat--one name for Baudolino and another name for The Secret History--and announce the winners next Sunday.

It should be noted that if one person chooses both books, he or she will be automatically disqualified.

You have a week and a day. Go!

Comments

[J.S. Peyton]

Hummm, very tempting indeed. But before I make my choice, can I be nosy and ask why you're getting rid of them? I've been thinking about getting The Secret History but I read Tartt's The Little Friend a couple of years back and didn't care for the ending at all (or, should I say the fact that there was no ending). Is The Secret History worth giving Tartt another chance?

[Imani]

Hooray! Free books. I think I'll make a go at the Eco -- never tried any of his works before.

[Dorothy W.]

Oooh, fun. The Secret History sounds interesting. But I don't have a favorite Greek god or goddess! Um, how about Dionysus?

[Brandon]

J.S.: There's no unerlying reason for me giving them away, other than I'm not going to read them again. The only other person I know who reads is my mom, and they're not really to her taste. That said, I absolutely love "The Secret History." It's one of my all-time favorites. The characterization is great, and one of those books that you don't want to end. I've never read "The Little Friend," and I can't say that I've ever wanted to. But "The Secret History" is a hard book to top, so I'm not surprised that "The Little Friend" isn't up to par.

[rachel]

You only know one other person who reads?

I tried a book giveaway at fade theory once for a brand new, autographed hardcover... no takers, so I haven't repeated the experiment.

I'm torn between If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. They're both favorites, but since the former has been a favorite for longer, I'll have to go with that one. My brother passed it on to me when I was 12 or 13 and I've re-read it many times over the years. It's also one of only three previously-read books that I brought with me to Estonia (the other two being One Hundred Years and Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury).

P.S. Should I be picked for Baudolino, I won't ask you to mail it to Estonia. I have a US address, too.

[Stefanie]

Fun! I already own both books, have read and enjoyed Secret History but haven't gotten to the Eco yet. So don't enter my name, but my favorite book in translation is Blindess by Jose Saramago, with If On a Winter's Night a Traveler coming in a close second. And I'd never pick a favorite Greek god/dess. Bad things happen to people who do that ;)

[maggie]

Ew, I would love to have a copy of The Secret History!

[David]

I'd like a copy of The Secret History as it sounds really interesting especially in conjunction with my love of Greek mythology. Although a classic, my favorite Greek god[dess] would have to be Athena. The value she represents - wisdom - has lead her to be a cult icon for philosophers and many others throughout history. Athena is one of the only Gods that really enjoys humans, helping them from the destructive power of other gods at times (Odysseus!). She protects Athens and is represented by the olive tree.

I DO NOT want to enter the contest for the other book, but a great translated novel is The Alchemist, for those looking for a great book.