Not Without My Daughter?
This picture freaks me out.

The translation I found for 'Hofmeester' is 'Commissario'

Nice challenge. And scary too, because you may find the suggestions stupid. Maybe "Sashimi"?

Master of Ceremonies is a good title. The story of my baldness is a weird title as well. I must admit that I always have to think about the story before knowing what it's about, and "amour fou" says it quite well.

But then again, you might not want to be too out there with a title. There has to be some level of mystery. Master of Ceremonies is a swell title.

The Benevolent Prince (but then in Italian).

Forza Tirza

Don't know what connotations there are in Italy, but Master of Ceremony makes me think of Hip hop.

I like short titles. My proposals would be: 'Zen'. Or 'Sushi'. 'Sashimi e Cello'.

The sun queen?

In my opinion, Master of Ceremonies feels a little too Fellini-esque for Tirza. I somehow like Sashimi, but it's a world away from Namibia so it also feels off, and Tirza has more 'drama' to it than Sashimi would merit?

Will also her name be changed in the book or only the title? I live in Italy but can not see a raison why the title Tirza should be changed but maybe my Italian is as bad as my English. Are your other novels translated in Italian?And did they change the titles too?

What about "Atta"?

Arnon

What's wrong with sticking to the original title? Of course you have to translate. So Tolstoy's Voyna i Mir in Russian is translated to War and peace in English. Otherhow I don't understand why to many changes have to be made. What's wrong with Tirza in Italian? Does it mean cunt in Napolese slang? What's the point? As long as the title of a novel refers to an expresssion in a certain language, like Blue Mondays did, it's something else, cause than you really have to think of something more familiar to the people to whom the book will be directed too. Otherwise, don't change a thing.

What is wrong with Tirzah in Italian? After all it is a biblical name. What is it in the Italian bible?

"Washabia". Perfect title for all languages...

@Carlos, Tirza, not Tirzah. If I remember well, a line in the novel even says as much. Tirza without h has a different connotation than Tirza with. Therefore, come to think of it Arnon, stick with Tirza.

Peter

As I explained publishers are entitled to change the title of a novel in translation.
If my editor in Italy says that Tirza as a title in the Italian language won't work I take this suggestion seriously.

Strasse

The name of the character will remain Tirza.

Noa

It seems that in English Tirza and Tirzah are alternate spellings of the same (biblical) name.

Il maestro di ceremonie

Will the titel "Il maestro di ceremonie" work?
This is the translation of 'Hofmeester', I know, but there isn't a character at work in the novel who is actually a steward (english translation). How will you translate "Hofmeester"? Otherwise the Italian readers will not be able to make this link and 'Il maestro di ceremonie' will not work as a name.

@Carlos, I can't answer for Arnon but in the back of my mind I remember the one with h had a different connotation than the one without. Was it that with an h the name is distinctily Jewish, Arnon?

Noa

William Blake also wrote a poem called "To Tirzah".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Tirzah

I'm not arguing at all that the Italian publisher is wrong about the title not being suitable. I'm just surprised because the name must appear in the Italian bible.

Sometimes names do need to be changed. For example, the name "Everhard Kok" is no problem at all in Dutch, but in English it is hilarious.

Oh, is Master of Ceremonies a translation of "hofmeester", I thought it had something to do with Hofmeester trying to be in controle, trying to direct his live, and succeeding at a certain level, but failing in the bigger picture.

Dens

That too.

Noa

According to http:/www.name-meanings.com Tirza and Tirzah are both Hebrew names. The first meaning 'Pleasantness', the second ' Delight'.

Mieke

Yes, I read that too. But both Tirza and Tirzah (mainly) are used for the same person and place in the bible. Also , the German version is always Tirza. I don't know if this also applies to Dutch.

But you should ask Arnon. I am sure his choice of Tirza(h) wasn't accidental.

But I don't think "Zelophehad" (Tirzah's biblical father) would make a good book title somehow.

@Carlos, everyone loves wikipeida for some reason. I prefer to just go with what my own brain remembers, even though my brain isn't always to be trusted . But wikipedia apparently is.
First things first: I never said Arnon should or should not change the name/title so preach to someone else on that one (his Italian publisher?)
Secondly: I doubt an author would agree that adding a letter or two to a name that is so predominant a piece of work (and has even become the title) doesn't make a difference at all. If so, why did he not use Tirzah in the first place?
I stick to what I said: I'm convinced that for Arnon there must have been a specific reason to use Tirza and not Tirzah (even if that reason was merely taste, but I'm sure he had a different reason).
@Arnon, as this is your site and this means we have the luxury of asking the author himself: am I right to think that you would not like Tirza being interchanged with Tirzah?

Ceclie Wellington, I like your name. A name like Margot has a robust, earthy feel to it. But Wellington triggers the fantasy, it makes me think of someone small in big boots stomping through puddles of rain.

ps Cecile, as you're new to this blog, please feel free to send me a personal email. Then in our exchange of emails you and I can come up with a funny idea to stage a cat fight on this blog. Then here's how you win the agreed cat-fight: you disappear entirely but behind the scenes complain to others that I am freaking you out and you feel threatened by my jealousy. Leaving me to apologize (both openly and in an email saying 'but I thought we had an understanding') which you then completely ignore. The latter I'd suggest you not do though because if there's one thing that really gets me upset, it's when I apologize to someone yet my apology is ignored.
By then though you have won the cat-fight (which I thought was staged but had through your actions become too real to my liking) because I am the one looking like a jealous maniac. I don't mind though really because I have nothing to hide. And I would then conclude: next tine, please don't ignore a truthful and heartfelt apology.

It's all very complex, females.

Noa

Would you be so kind to look up the meaning of the word "logorrhea"?

@Oscar - sure, glad to be of assistance:
Definition:
Logorrhea literally means excessive use of words - speech that runs on and on.
Anything else I can do for you?

@Oscar, I just realized that the site I found that definition on is a website about bipolar disorder. Are you okay?

Noa

I just intended to warn Cecile that your real name is Aliefka and that the sound of that name makes me think of a fragile, small bird with the most incredible singingcapacity.

@Mieke, I wish I could sing. Anyway, as Oscar pointed out - enough said.

How about Sun Queen?

@David Martino
I hate to point it out, but nevertheless, look at the seventh comment on this post. (brother in thoughts).

Noa

You sing all right.

Bernard

Let's start a petition.

@Mieke, I'll take that as a compliment? If I'm a bird, then more importantly - I'd hope I can fly. But then of course Oscar will think I've gone bonkers for saying that. He'll say, "now please look up grandiosity."

ComPROmize

MASTRO TIRZA, Arnon.

ps: When in Libraries?

How about changing the writer's name?

I happily saw the first comment on the Hebrew version of De Asielzoeker, not anyone I know of, not yet from the literary branja. She fell in love with the text. Anyway I later realised that when Iraelis see the name 'Arnon Grunberg' they think he must be an Israeli writer, which is not likely to be an advantage.
Not that there aren't any worthy Israeli writers.