You might have notice a slight thinning out of reviews recently, and I confess that I’ve slightly been in the doldrums with regards to reading. Partly I put this down to busyness at work, the change of seasons, the first cold of the winter (and it was a stinker) and tired eyes! But I did approach a revisit to “Crime and Punishment” via the lovely OWC hardback with great anticipation, and was a bit fed up when it went pear-shaped…
I knew I already had two copies of C&P – the original ancient Penguin I read decades ago, translated by David Magarshack, and a more recent Penguin rendered by David McDuff, of which I’d heard good things. I picked up the latter specifically for a re-read, but I couldn’t resist starting the lovely Oxford version, translated by Nicholas Slater Pasternak, and I did indeed get several chapters in…
However, for some reason I found myself struggling to engage. I’m still not sure why, but I ended up putting this version down and picking up the McDuff, and I’m currently sailing through that and absolutely loving it. It obviously has nothing to do with the physical book, because the Oxford is lovely with clear type and nice big white pages; the McDuff Penguin is a larger format and also quite readable but probably less so than the Oxford.
It’s hard to put my finger exactly on why I wasn’t gelling with the Oxford, but the best I can say is that it read too smoothly. I expect to anticipate a kind of nervous energy in Dostoevsky, and I didn’t feel that here. McDuff also translated the version of Brothers Karamazov I read, and I found that version resonated with me too. So obviously, as I’m continuing with the version that speaks to me I shall keep on reading the Penguin McDuff – though having two sets of notes and supporting material to refer to is quite a bonus!
I confess I’m a little disappointed that the Oxford version didn’t work for me, though it will no doubt be ideal for other readers. And I’m keen to read one of these lovely books, so maybe I should step out of Russia for a read soon, and try to read one of Austen’s great works during the centenary year of her death.
“Sense and Sensibility” is one of her titles I know I haven’t read – so perhaps that should be a near-future read. Onward and upward! :))))
Oct 07, 2017 @ 07:21:13
This is one of the reasons I am always unsure about translated books. Maybe I should go with your solution though and have several versions at the ready for the attempt?
Hopefully you’ll get on better with Austen. I picked up Emma this year for the first time since abandoning it in frustration in my teens and I completely adored it.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 14:08:56
Translated works bring me some of my biggest bookish joys, so I would always say read them! But definitely compare translations if you can – try to get the flavour of how the translator has rendered the work and find one which you can enjoy reading – then you’ll want to finish it!
I’m sure the Austen will be more successful, if I can machete my way through the pile of books I have to read first…
Oct 07, 2017 @ 14:15:51
I try not to think about my to read pile… it would probably keep me up at night. I am very wary of translated works but I do need to get over that, because i’m missing out on so much.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 16:02:51
Me too – there are so many on it…. But do try some translated works – there are such wonders to discover!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 09:28:07
I always find it really interesting how different translations can deliver something different entirely. I have found the recent glut of Pevear and Volokhonsky translations of various Russian writers to be missing something and have, after buying shiny new copies, reverted back to the older translations. I’m not sure why that it. I’m planning on re-reading Crime and Punishment too and whilst tempted to pick up a shiny new copy I think I’ll stick with my old one (the old Penguin Classic, translated by Magarshack).
Oct 07, 2017 @ 14:04:53
I’m no fan of P/V as is probably obvious – I don’t like the way they just churn out new versions of books with perfectly good translations already (plus they nearly killed The Master and Margarita for me). Lots of the translators I admire are bringing us wonderful books never rendered in English before and I think that’s so important. Also I prefer 20th century language to 21st, so I suppose it’s a no brainer than I would prefer older translations…. 🙂
Oct 07, 2017 @ 09:34:27
I never appreciated until seeing your various posts about different versions just how much effect the translator would have. It made get explain why I’ve given up on some of the classics in translation I tried in the past
Oct 07, 2017 @ 14:02:58
I think it depends a *lot* – which I hadn’t appreciated before myself. Definitely I think it’s worth checking out different translations if you aren’t getting on with one. If you can read the first chapter of several versions then you can get a flavour of each (that’s if you have the luxury of access to them and the time to do so!)
Oct 12, 2017 @ 21:41:25
Great advice Karen
Oct 07, 2017 @ 10:12:40
After a good string of books I’ve hit the buffers a bit; my reading is stalling, I’m abandoning books, I spend days not reading anything etc. I think I’m through the worst now though. I keep meaning to re-read some Dostoyevsky, especially C&P.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 14:01:52
It happens, doesn’t it? I’ve felt a lack of focus and despite a strong desire to read, I can’t settle easily. I’m sure it will pass…
Oct 07, 2017 @ 14:23:35
Yes it will pass. You’ll read a book that sparks it off all again.
Strangely I was really in the mood for some RussRev reading so started Bulgakov’s White Guard and a non-fiction book on Russian Revolution. I had to abandon the WG and I’ve paused with the RR book. For some reason I was finding it increasingly difficult to read either despite being eager beforehand.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 16:03:47
I’ve found the same thing – perhaps I should approach books with less anticipation!! But I’m sure I will get over this lull – well, I’ll have to with 1968 looming!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 14:56:32
I don’t know if it’s the same with you, but I often find myself irrationally attached to the translation through which I first got to know the work. So, for Tolstoy, it’s the Risemary Edmonds versions; for Dostoyevsky, it’s David Magarshack; for Madame Bovary, it’s that old translation by Alan Russell; and so on. Irrational, I know.
Similarly, I find, with recordings of classical music. There is no end to different recordings of Beethoven symphonies, Mozart operas, Schubert string quartets, etc., and yes, I do enjoy listening to different interpretations. But on the whole, it’s the interpretations through which I first became acquainted with the work that I keep returning to.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 15:18:34
That’s quite understandable, irrational but nostalgic perhaps. Or we get used to a certain voice which attracted us to that author in the first place. I have a sneaky fondness for Waley’s inaccurate and reductionist translation of Tale of Genji, and my favourite one is Seidensticker’s, because they are the ones I studied first at university, although the latest one has been highly praised by other readers.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 16:06:18
I think there’s bound to be an element of nostalgia, taking us back to our first encounter with the author. But also it can be fact that we liked that style of writing – I know I rebel against modern versions of classic books!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 16:05:16
It is the same with me – I guess there is that connection that you make as a reader the first time you come into contact with an author. I don’t think it’s irrational, particularly if we read them when we were young, when the impression they make can be so much stronger. Having said that, I don’t like it when anyone other than David Bellos translates Perec, and the latter is a recent obsession!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 15:33:47
Ever since a dire translation of Madame Bovary put me off that work forever I have been very careful about translations. Once I’ve found a translator whose work I trust I will read whatever they have been involved with almost regardless of whether I would have chosen to read that novel in the first place.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 16:01:14
I’m the same in many ways – if I trust a translator I’ll always return to them. Robert Chandler never goes wrong; Hugh Aplin’s work has worked for me; Joanne Turnbull does remarkable things with Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky; and David mcDuff is proving very reliable with Dostoevsky. So I stick to those I know I like!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 16:10:06
Add Anthea Bell for anything translated from the German.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 19:17:01
Definitely!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 16:43:17
I really appreciate reviews comparing different translations. I’ve been wanting to reread The Brothers Karamazov and this will help me in choosing which edition — knowing that personal taste is also involved.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 19:16:48
I definitely feel it comes down to personal taste in the end because however acclaimed a translation is, if it doesn’t speak to you there’s no point reading. I personally loved the McDuff Karamazov so I’d recommend giving it a chance!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 17:11:10
I feel your pain my reading has been so slow during September and this first week of October. I’m sure that different translations can make a big difference to a reader’s experience of a book.
Oct 07, 2017 @ 19:15:48
I hate it when my reading gets bogged down. I’m sure I’ll come through it but it’s taking time. And yes – choosing the right translation can be crucial!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 19:32:40
I final read S&S this year, ahead of seeing a stage production, and I loved it. Lots of scandal in this one!
Oct 07, 2017 @ 20:53:25
Oooh, scandal! Good! 🙂
Oct 07, 2017 @ 21:54:55
I really value reading translated fiction but it can be such a minefield. I’ve not read C&P but I’ll remember to opt for the Penguin when I do.
Hope your reading slump is well and truly over & you enjoy the Austen – at least it side-steps the translation problem!
Oct 08, 2017 @ 11:08:03
It *is* a minefield. I don’t quite know when I’ll get to the Austen though, as I’ve just hit another distraction….😱
Oct 08, 2017 @ 13:31:52
This is so interesting; I have trouble with the Icelandic sagas when they’re too smoothed over, esp when the weird tense shifts get lost, and like the 19th century ones best still, so I understand where you’re coming from.
Oct 08, 2017 @ 13:43:44
Exactly – I expect Dostoevsky to have a breathless, almost hyperactive quality as his characters do tend to rush from situation to another. There’s a slightly manic quality to his books and I didn’t feel that here. This version will I’m sure work for some people, but the reaction to translation is so personal that I’m happy to stick with what I prefer.
Oct 10, 2017 @ 15:40:06
Choosing translations is a minefield, and if I could start my reading life over again I would try to learn more languages and more about language. Switching translators made such a difference to my reading of War and Peace and I know I’m going to look at different versions very carefully before I set out to read my next Russian classic.
Oct 10, 2017 @ 15:54:53
Me too – I wish I’d learned lots of languages at a young age. And yes – checking out the versions is definitely essential before embarking on a big Russian read! 🙂
Oct 17, 2017 @ 03:16:33
A good translation can make all the difference, and I do favor the older ones as a rule. I’ve read translations of OTHER Russians by McDuff and Magarshack, so stick with the M’s????
Oct 17, 2017 @ 09:05:47
Yeah, the letter M is working for me at the moment! 🙂
Oct 27, 2017 @ 08:26:16