Robert Bononno

Bononno reframes the art of translation as a bridge between cultures, emphasizing fidelity and clarity in bringing French literature to English-speaking audiences. His career has evolved from photography to translation, revealing a deep engagement with both visual and literary arts. This dual expertise enhances his translations, as seen in works like "Ghost Image" by Hervé Guibert and "The Diaries of Isabelle Eberhardt", where his attention to the original author's voice and cultural context enriches the reader's experience. His approach ensures that nuanced themes, such as North African culture in Eberhardt's writings, remain accessible and engaging to a broader audience.\n\nHis method of translation focuses on preserving the essence of the original text while adapting it to a new linguistic and cultural framework. This technique is evident in his translations of both literary fiction and complex nonfiction, including "Kubrick" by Michel Ciment and "The Enigma of Room 622" by Joël Dicker. Bononno's work highlights the translator's role in maintaining the narrative's integrity, which benefits readers seeking authentic experiences of foreign literature. Furthermore, his experience teaching translation studies at prestigious institutions like New York University showcases his dedication to mentoring the next generation of translators.\n\nBononno's contributions to literature have not gone unnoticed, as he has received grants supporting his translation work, including recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts. His career, which began with a focus on capturing moments through the lens of a camera, now extends to capturing the essence of stories across languages. Readers of his translations gain not only access to diverse narratives but also a deeper understanding of the cultural contexts from which these stories originate, making Bononno's work a vital component of contemporary literary exchange.