Books combine different mindsets, knowledge, advice, and ideas, all in the form of words wrapped together in a collection of papers. You can find books about any topic, and almost every piece of information you’re searching for is somewhere in a book.
Even if you’re searching for a new no deposit casino in a new city, you will find it in a brochure somewhere. And yes, brochures are classified as books in this context too. Reading gives you a glimpse of the writer’s mind, and many books can give you a better understanding, reasoning, critical thinking, as well as teaching you other disciplines.
However, since books are from all over the world, many of them may not have been written in a language people in other countries can understand. To combat this language barrier, some books have been translated to most spoken languages so others can read them. Check out our countdown of the most translated books:
- El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha – 145 translations
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales – 160 translations
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – 174 translations
- Le Avventure di Pinocchio – Over 260 translations
- Le Petit Prince – 300 translations
El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha – 145 translations
This is a popular novel, especially if you’re interested in literature. Originally written in Spanish by Miguel Cervantes, its title is roughly translated as Don Quixote in English. Don Quixote was published in two parts, with the first one coming out in 1605 and the second in 1615, making it one of the oldest books on this list. Even today, Don Quixote is a relevant and important piece of work that is given respect in every part of the world.
Its first English translation came out in 1612, three years before part two of the novel was out. Don Quixote is credited for creating the modern novel and has since broken through several countries because of its literacy relevancy. You’d be hard-pressed to find a literature aficionado that hasn’t read this book regardless of the language they speak.
Andersen’s Fairy Tales – 160 translations
Hans Christian Anderson wrote the classic fairy tale book that has been adapted into several movies, TV series, ballets, and stage plays. It has had a global impact on the world at large and the stories told are recognized today by almost everyone. Andersen’s Fairy Tales were originally written in Danish and published in 1837, but today its impact is far-reaching.
The stories in the books were fairytales which were typically meant for children teaching them key important morals and life lessons. Today, even adults can gain knowledge from the book in the form of movies and shows with popular titles like The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, etc. Over 160 translations of the book exist today, crossing several countries and continents, allowing children all over the world to read the books.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – 174 translations
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was written by Lewis Caroll in English and published in 1865. It has readers across all age groups and has captivated them with interesting stories and adventures, though the premise seems simple – about a girl that gets lost and falls into a magical world. There is far more to the story with complex wordplay and math problems that still captivates readers nowadays.
There are many spinoffs and adaptations of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and some popular characters today are based on the book. You can even find many Alice in Wonderland-themed casinos and slots where you can get 100 free spins without deposit. Some iconic creatures have emerged from the lore that is now recognizable in today’s world, such as the March Hare, Chesire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and perhaps the most popular of them all – the Queen of Hearts. It has over 174 translations today and is one of the most iconic Children’s fairytales.
Le Avventure di Pinocchio – Over 260 translations
Everyone knows the story of Pinocchio – the little boy with a growing nose every time he lied. More people have probably seen the many movie adaptations of Pinnochio before even reading the book that laid the basis for the story. Le Avventure di Pinocchio is an Italian story that was originally written by Carlo Collodi and published in 1883.
It tells the story of a marionette that becomes a real boy through a series of adventures and particularly giving a lesson in lying. This book is for kids as well as adults alike, and there have been multiple adaptations and retellings of the story depending on the adaptation. It has more than 260 translations, with a new film adaption coming out in 2021 on Netflix.
Le Petit Prince – 300 translations
As you could maybe already tell from the name, Le Petit Prince is a French story written by Antoine de Saint Exupéry and published in 1883. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a French writer, aviator, and aristocrat, which shows in his works. It is a famous story known for its poetic tale and also the watercolour illustrations that the book has. Antoine de Saint combined the tantalizing tale with art to bring the story to life.
It tells the tale of a pilot that gets lost in the Sahara Desert and finds a blonde boy that asks him to draw a sheep. The tale goes on to reiterate the importance of life and instills certain key values. It has been translated into over 300 languages. Today, it is one of the most popular books, with over 140 million copies sold as of 2014, with 2 million sold annually worldwide.
Other notable books that are one of the most translated include:
- Astérix le Gaulois By René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo and Jean-Yves Ferri – 116 translations
- Les Aventures de Tintin By Hergé – 115 translations
- Harry Potter By J.K. Rowling – more than 80 translations
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – more than 80 translations
- Kon-Tiki Ekspedisjonen By Thor Heyerdahl – more than 70 translations
Conclusion
It’s not surprising to see that fairy tales and children’s books take a huge percentage on the list. You might have seen your favourite book on this list as a lot of books are a lot of people’s favourites hence their popularity.
If you haven’t come across any of the books listed above, check them out and see why they’re one of the most translated books.
