Small Girl, Big Ideas: Getting to know Mafalda, with Samanta Schweblin and Frank Wynne

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Aug 21, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Samanta Schweblin, an award-winning Argentinian author, and Frank Wynne, a renowned literary translator, dive into the impactful world of Mafalda, the iconic comic character. They discuss how Mafalda’s clever critiques of society influenced generations, sparking conversations on feminism and politics. Frank shares the intricacies of translating her sharp humor, while Samanta reflects on her childhood inspirations. Their insights reveal why Mafalda remains a vital voice for social awareness, appealing to both new readers and longtime fans.

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ANECDOTE

Childhood Discovery In Argentina

Samanta Schweblin first read Mafalda around age eight and found the strips everywhere in 1980s Argentina.
She felt the comics spoke to adults and children simultaneously, introducing complex ideas early.

INSIGHT

Child's Voice, Adult Questions

Mafalda blends childlike behaviour with adult concerns, exposing kids to politics and philosophy early.
Schweblin credits Mafalda as her first encounter with feminism, political ideas, and big questions.

ANECDOTE

Translator's First Encounter

Frank Wynne discovered Mafalda in France in the 1980s and noted the strips were aimed at adults, not children.
He compared Mafalda's ambitions to Peanuts but emphasised her explicit political voice.

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In this episode Adam speaks with translator Frank Wynne and Argentinian writer Samanta Schweblin about the first-ever English edition of Mafalda, the beloved Argentine comic strip by Quino (Archipelago Books). Together, they explore how this precocious, principled six-year-old girl—who challenged everything from soup to capitalism—shaped generations of readers in Argentina and beyond. Frank discusses the joys and puzzles of translating Mafalda’s quick wit and political edge, while Samanta recalls how the strip introduced her to feminism, philosophy, and satire as a child. The conversation touches on cartooning as subversion, and why Mafalda’s questions still matter today. Whether you're meeting Mafalda for the first time or grew up with her, this episode is a moving celebration of one of the 20th century's most enduring comic heroines.

Buy Mafalda: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/mafalda-3

Samanta Schweblin won the 2022 National Book Award for Translated Literature for her story collection, Seven Empty Houses. Her debut novel, Fever Dream, was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, and her novel Little Eyes and story collection Mouthful of Birds have been longlisted for the same prize. Her books have been translated into more than forty languages, and her stories have appeared in English in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Granta, Harper’s Magazine and elsewhere. Originally from Buenos Aires, Schweblin lives in Berlin. Good and Evil and Other Stories is her third collection.

Frank Wynne is a writer and award-winning literary translator. Born in Ireland he has lived and worked in Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Buenos Aires and currently lives in San José, Costa Rica. He has translated more than a dozen major novels, among them the works of Michel Houellebecq, Frédéric Beigbeder, Pierre Mérot and the Ivorian novelist Ahmadou Kourouma. A journalist and broadcaster, he has written for the Sunday Times, the Independent, the Irish Times, Melody Maker, and Time Out.

Adam Biles is Literary Director at Shakespeare and Company.

Listen to Alex Freiman’s latest EP, In The Beginning: https://open.spotify.com/album/5iZYPMCUnG7xiCtsFCBlVa?si=h5x3FK1URq6SwH9Kb_SO3w

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