Yes, that vexing, troubling subject that exercises my brain so much has reared its head again! This time, it’s come to the fore owing to my plan to read the Russian “Ulysses” – Andrei Bely’s “Petersburg”!
I must confess that, despite my love of Russian literature, this one has only recently hit my radar, and I’m probably not the only one in that situation as it does seem to have been somewhat neglected over the years. Not much of Bely’s work is available in English and my first encounter with “Petersburg” was when I stumbled across a hardback edition entitled “St. Petersburg” in the local Oxfam Book Shop. I had a quick look, but left it there for a week or two; then, having looked it up online, picked it up and brought it home with me. Turns out it’s a hardback first edition with dust jacket – not bad for the princely sum of £2.49!
However, when the subject of translations starting bothering me so much recently, I did a little more digging and discovered that thing were a bit more complicated with this book. For a start, there are two versions of “Petersburg” – one longer one published in 1916, and a shorter version, heavily edited by Bely, which came out in 1922. To make things worse, there are four translations and I wasn’t clear which one was of which book, and which was considered better/more accurate/more accessible etc etc….. Not a straightforward choice, then.
Having just read the David McDuff translation of “The Brothers Karamazov” and got on very well with the writing style, I thought it would be good to try his version of Bely. So I ordered a bargain price copy of the Penguin version online, thinking this would be what I would get – however, when it arrived it turned out to be the translation by Maguire and Malmstad, since republished by Indiana University Press and reckoned to be a good one! So although that wasn’t quite what I was expecting, it was a pleasant surprise as I had been putting off getting the IUP version as it is quite pricey! Then there is the Pushkin Press version, a recent translation by John Elsworth and much-lauded, which I managed to find online, again for a reasonable cost. So I have these three lovelies to choose from:
I sat down last night to have a look at them – after all, I’ve often advocated reading several translations and have tried comparing various versions of books in the past to see which one appeals most. This led to some further discoveries – the Penguin Maguire and Malmstad is based on the later, edited version; the 1st edition hardback translated by Cournos appears to be the same one; and the Pushkin Press is based on the longer, earlier version. So it gets even more complex, especially when you realise that the Maguire and Malmstad has copious notes and the other two versions none at all…. which is a little odd in the Pushkin Press edition. The Penguin notes may even be slightly over the top, but I’d rather have too many than not enough!
At a quick glance, there *are* differences in the translation styles, and oddly enough it was the Maguire and Malmstad which grabbed me most to begin with. But I think I may well splash out on the McDuff so I can compare them all and decide which one I will take the plunge into – truly it’s a difficult business reading translated literature!!!
gaskella
Oct 18, 2013 @ 14:10:17
I would always read the translation that initially appeals the most, then the notes in the other editions. But then I don’t read many books that have multiple translations available. Good luck!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 18, 2013 @ 17:47:22
Yes, that *is* good advice. So I think that, knowing there is a McDuff translation out, I will have to shell out a few pounds on it just so I can do a fair comparison – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!! 😉
Lee-Anne
Oct 18, 2013 @ 18:10:35
What a fun time you are going to have diving into this book! I look forward to your thoughts on all the different translations and how you enjoy the story.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 18, 2013 @ 18:41:39
I *am* looking forward to it – but I simply will *have* to get the McDuff translation first!!
Fleur in her World
Oct 18, 2013 @ 22:55:00
If the Maguire and Malmstad is your preferred translation and it has notes I’d be inclined to say go for it. The author must have had his reasons for revising his work (hopefully the notes have something to say on the subject) and you’d have the option of going back for a second read of a different translation to see if the unrevised work has more to offer or if the changes were for the best.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 19, 2013 @ 15:29:27
Wise advice Jane – thank you! I think I will start with the Penguin and as you say, I can always then go to the other versions if I feel the need of the longer book!
Alex in Leeds
Oct 19, 2013 @ 10:30:37
Half the fun is picking a translation. I’d be interested to know why the later edition was so revised but I’d be tempted to go with a translation of that, if after several years the author wanted to pare back his work and did it himself it suggests he’d developed his skill and learnt to edit himself better!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 19, 2013 @ 15:31:45
Good point – and if the 1922 version was his final reckoning with it, that’s the one I’ll start with I think – I shall read up on all the notes and introductions to see if I can fiind out why he edited so much!
Kat
Oct 20, 2013 @ 18:44:56
Karen, such confusion! And I have to laugh about the wrong edition coming from Amazon, even if it is a good one. This kind of thing happens all the time, and sometimes i have to pack it back and send it back. It’s hardly worth it, because I think I still have to pay the postage.
But it sounds as though this will turn out well, with so many translations. I did read War and Peace in different editions, and ended up loving both the Maude (which I always have) and Anthony Briggs (new).
I have vaguely heard of Bely, which must mean my husband has a copy.
I am reading a huge book this month, which means I can’t start anything new for a while, but will try to remember at least to read something Russian soon if not Petersburg. (I got out The Brothers K)!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 20, 2013 @ 19:19:38
Yes, it’s always a bit of a gamble with Amazon used books – but has all turned out ok in the end. I have read the Maude AK and I loved this translation very much.
Well done on getting out Karamazov – good luck!!
Where my current reading is at: A Little Update! | Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
Mar 02, 2014 @ 12:19:36