Open Letter Press introduces an imaginative retelling of Herman Melville’s life through the lens of Rodrigo Fresán’s latest literary work

Rochester, New York – The University of Rochester’s Open Letter Press has once again made waves in the literary world. This time, the nonprofit translation press has earned the prestigious 2024 Republic of Consciousness Prize (United States and Canada) for its publication of Melvill, an imaginative and unconventional biography of Herman Melville written by Argentine author Rodrigo Fresán. The novel, which offers a fictionalized account of the famed Moby-Dick author, was masterfully translated into English by Will Vanderhyden, an alumnus of the University’s master of arts in literary translation program.

The Republic of Consciousness Prize, which has been awarded annually in North America since 2022, recognizes the dedication of independent publishers to bringing literary excellence to English-speaking audiences. This year’s judges were particularly taken with Melvill’s unique approach to biography, blending gothic elements with a deeply personal exploration of Melville’s life.

“Readers will know from the array of footnotes on the first few pages that this book is for the head,” remarked Dorian Stuber, a prize judge and English professor at Hendrix College. “But the further they get into its gorgeous prose, so dizzyingly translated by Will Vanderhyden, the more they will see that it’s also for the heart.”

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For Open Letter, this recognition is not only a triumph for the press but also a testament to the extraordinary work of Vanderhyden, who has dedicated years to translating Fresán’s intricate and richly layered prose. Vanderhyden, who completed his MA in literary translation at the University of Rochester in 2013, has now translated six of Fresán’s works. His deep familiarity with the author’s style and extensive references has made him an essential bridge between Fresán’s Spanish-language texts and their English-speaking audience.

“It’s a great honor,” said Chad Post, director of Open Letter. “What makes this especially satisfying is that it upends the usual dynamic of literary exchange. Typically, American authors write about Spanish-speaking figures—think of a book about Cervantes written by an American author. But a Spanish-language writer tackling Melville? That’s something unusual, and the fact that it has been executed so brilliantly and recognized in this way means a great deal.”

Post’s connection to this project is more than professional—it’s personal. Years ago, he taught Vanderhyden in two of his graduate courses at Rochester, nurturing the early stages of what would become an impressive career in translation. And while Post had encountered Fresán in the past, it was Vanderhyden’s enthusiasm for the Argentinian writer that led Open Letter to take a closer look at his work.

That deep engagement is essential when working with an author as stylistically complex as Fresán. “Tracking down his incessant literary and pop culture references and recreating his ludic sensibility—his sense of humor, his tireless wordplay—in English are and will always be particularly challenging aspects of translating his work,” Vanderhyden acknowledged.

Melvill itself is a novel that resists categorization. Open Letter describes it as “an evocation of a filial love,” shaped by the themes of history, memory, and ghostly presences. The title, notably, plays on the fact that Melville’s mother altered the family’s surname after the death of her husband, dropping the final “e.” The book delves into the psyche of the great American novelist, exploring his life and legacy in a way that is both richly imaginative and deeply researched.

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Beyond the literary recognition, the Republic of Consciousness Prize also provides practical benefits. Many of the judges involved in the selection process are booksellers, which, according to Post, will help Melvill find a wider audience. “It’ll help sell the book in their stores,” he explained, reinforcing the significance of the prize for small independent presses like Open Letter.

In addition to this recent win, Melvill is also a finalist for the 2024 Barrios Book in Translation Prize, awarded annually by the National Book Critics Circle. The winner of that competition is expected to be announced later this month, making Melvill a title to watch in the literary world.

Open Letter may be a small press, but it has a remarkable track record when it comes to championing outstanding international literature. Among its previous successes are publications from Nobel Prize winner Jon Fosse (2023) and National Book Award–winning translator Elisa Shua Dusapin (2021). With Melvill and its recognition, the press continues its mission of bringing some of the world’s most compelling literary voices to English-speaking readers.

As the book continues to receive acclaim, it highlights the importance of literary translation—not just as an act of linguistic conversion, but as a form of cultural dialogue. And for Vanderhyden, Fresán, and Open Letter, the journey of Melvill is far from over.