"Fantastic writing in English is kind of disreputable, but fantastic writing in translation is the summit"

This quote by Jonathan Lethem speaks to the idea that writing in English is typically viewed as less prestigious than composing in translation. He suggests that composing in translation is seen as the highest kind of composing, which composing in English is seen as dishonest. This might be because writing in translation needs a greater level of skill and understanding of language, as the author should be able to precisely communicate the meaning of the original text in a different language. It could also be because writing in translation is seen as more exotic and unique, as it is not as common as writing in English. This quote talks to the concept that writing in translation is seen as more valuable than composing in English, and that it is viewed as the highest form of composing.