How to Read a Book Before Translating It: A Practical 3-Read Method for Literary Translators

Hello, my fellow literary translators!

Welcome back to my Literary Translation Diary, where I share the real process, challenges, and behind-the-scenes details of book translation.

I know how difficult it can be to find proper guidance in this field. I’ve been there myself. That’s exactly why I started this series: to help new literary translators understand what really happens between the first read and the final translated sentence.

In my last blog post, I shared about the tone and style in literary translation — read it here: How to identify and recreate different tones in literature.
Today, let’s talk about something equally essential: how to read a book that you’re going to translate.

Starting a book translation is often the hardest part. A novel carries not just words, but emotions, rhythm, and voice.

When I translated my first book, I felt overwhelmed. I didn’t know where to start, how to capture the author’s tone, or how to even find the right words. Then, I discovered what I now call the 3-Read Technique, a simple but powerful method that completely changed the way I approach literary translation.

This method involves reading the book three times before you begin translating.
Yes, it might sound intimidating, reading a 300-page novel three times — but once you try it, you’ll see how much deeper your understanding becomes.
Each reading has a unique purpose and perspective.

Let’s dive in.

Read the book as a reader, not as a translator.
Your goal is to understand the story, plot, and emotional journey.

• The pacing — where the story speeds up or slows down
• The emotional tone — is it romantic, tragic, mysterious, humorous?
• Any confusing or ambiguous parts

Take notes on:

This first reading helps you feel the book and sense the author’s world before you begin dissecting it.

Now read more attentively. This is your analytical reading phase.
Here, your goal is to study the author’s craft and voice.

Focus on:

• The author’s tone: are the sentences short and sharp, or long and lyrical?
• Character voices: do they speak formally, casually, or with dialects?
• Literary devices: metaphors, similes, rhythm, alliteration, symbolism
• Cultural elements: idioms, puns, historical references, or wordplay

This step allows you to understand the writer’s unique style — something that must be preserved, not copied, in translation.

Now it’s time to prepare for the real work.
At this stage, focus on the micro-level challenges every literary translator faces.

Do this:

• Create a glossary for recurring words, names, terms, or phrases — consistency matters!
• Identify puns or wordplay and start brainstorming creative equivalents in your target language
• Observe sentence structure — how can you make it sound natural in the target language?
• Spot typos or inconsistencies in the source text and mark them for discussion with the editor

This read bridges understanding and execution — you’re now ready to bring the story to life in another language.

Reading is only the first step. The real work begins after it.
Translating a book means saving so many things at once: the author’s voice, the emotional atmosphere, the cultural context.

Books have two layers — one visible and one hidden. Every paragraph carries a heartbeat, and as translators, our task is to recreate that same rhythm in a new language.

Even though some things are inevitably “lost in translation,” what we gain is just as powerful: connection. Because of translators, we can experience the beauty of Japanese literature, the brilliance of Russian novels, and the mystery of Gothic fiction — all across languages and cultures.

That’s what makes our craft magical.

Right now, I’m translating one of my favorite works of literature, a story I can’t wait for Spanish readers to experience.
It’s hard work, yes, but every page reminds me why I love this profession.

 Read deeply. Feel fully. Translate faithfully.

Thank you for reading!
If you have questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out — I’d love to help you on your translation journey.

If you’re just starting out as a literary translator, remember: