In prep for this issue, I finally picked up The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa, a novel that’s been sitting on my shelf for a while. It’s a powerful piece of translated fiction from Japan that explores a world where memories are slowly erased, and the characters fight to hold on to what’s disappearing. The more I read, the more I realized how much we rely on our memories to shape who we are—and how easily they can fade away.
What struck me most was how Ogawa’s novel captured something so deeply human: the way we hold onto the stories of our lives, even when the world around us changes. It’s a story of loss, yes, but also of resilience—of people trying to preserve the parts of themselves that are most important. And the fact that this novel made its way from Japan to readers across the globe reminded me how stories can cross borders and languages, and still find a place in our hearts.
That’s what makes this issue of Global Voices so special. It’s not just about the books or the authors; it’s about the journey these stories take as they travel from one culture to another, creating new connections with every reader they encounter. As you turn these pages, you’ll find stories from across the world—many of them translated—that offer a glimpse into lives, struggles, and joys that may be different from your own, but are still familiar in the most human way.
I hope these global voices in this issue resonate with you, leaving you with something that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.
Enjoy the issue!
