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/lit/ - Literature

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17726006 No.17726006 [Reply] [Original]

Planning to read Anna Karenina, I'm thinking of getting The Maudes Translation. I'm thinking of getting The Everyman's version of it, though I'm a bit worried that it may lack some notes. Meanwhile, there's an Oxford version that's only paperback, which no doubt has notes.

So, I'm in a bit of a dilemma between getting The Everyman's, which has a better build quality, and The Oxford's which will contain notes.

So, my /lit/bros, do you need notes to read Anna Karenina or can you just read it fine without any notes at all?

>> No.17726234

>>17726006
Forgot to write there, first time reading it as well.

Bumping.

>> No.17726240

you can just read it

>> No.17726244

>>17726006
You don't need notes ever.

>> No.17726267

>>17726240
I plan to, but I want to get the best version.

>>17726244
Why do I not need notes? From other classics that I've read, I found them to be very useful in explaining references I would otherwise have missed had there been no notes.

Also, I feel like it helps me understand a work more.

>> No.17726298
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17726298

>THOUGH

>> No.17726303

>>17726267
I read the Oxford Edition. The notes are okay, you don't really need them at all. They'll do things like clarify certain social status indicators in 19th century St Petersburg, or what exactly someones role was in the civil service, stuff you could just glean from other context. Maybe useful when Tolstoy starts sperging out about Wagner or Beethoven, or the characters discuss pan-Slavism in Russia, but you could get the gist of what he's saying otherwise.

It sounds like notes are very important to you so you should just get the Oxford edition, or better yet, see if theres a Norton Critical Edition.

>> No.17726338

>>17726006
It's one of the most straightforward stories I can think of. If you find yourself needing notes for Anna, you're a flatskull. Just read it.

>> No.17726339

>>17726303
Ooooohhhhh, The Norton Critical one looks very nice indeed, Anon. I'll have to think about it, but The Norton and Oxford ones seem to be pretty good choices for first time reading. I might get The Everyman's after I've read it, if I liked it. Problem is that, Everyman's can get very expensive at times, so it's often best to buy ASAP.

>> No.17726353

>>17726339
Just be careful with the Norton. It's great for students and people who want to get everything out of a text, but it can get in the way of an enjoyable read. There are a lot of footnotes and they're at the bottom of the page, it can be distracting always having your eyes pulled away from the text. Maybe get that and the Everyman? Two of the more expensive editions, though

>> No.17726388

>>17726353
That's a fair point, if that's the case, then I might just make do with an Oxford first. I think it'd fit my needs more and is well balanced among the other two. Thanks Anon!

>> No.17726851

I recommend getting the marian Schwartz version. It's the best translation by far and a beautiful edition, although the rare French phrases are end notes... but not really necessary to understand these sections of dialogue fully anyway

>> No.17727162

>>17726851
I've heard that The Schwartz translation tends to be very rough, jagged, clunky and poor. One particular criticism that I've heard is that she tends to create words similar to the made-up words that Tolstoy himself made.

>> No.17727176

She dies at the end.
Spoiler warning.

>> No.17727182

>>17727176
We all die in the end Anon. Some earlier than others, some earlier than their right time. You will be the latter.

>> No.17727201

>>17727182
>You will be the latter.
lmao did you just do a tarot reading on me or what makes you say that?

>> No.17727442

>>17727162
Heard from where?

>> No.17727731

You should be banned.

>> No.17728996

Best book of all time

Brothers K is a close one.

>> No.17729006

>>17727162
Every a list Tolstoy academic says it's the best one and a masterpiece. James holquist, Gary saul morson, someone else on the back cover I dont remember

>> No.17729059

I find it hard to understand or empathize with female character unless they are in 2D/animu form (cute). Can I still read this? I'm R1b, by the way.

>> No.17729458

>>17729059
Yeah you can. A good chunk of the book is actually from a male perspective.

>> No.17729842

>>17729006
>academics shilling a peer's new translation
Who would have thought! Making up words to be different and justify a new translation like "shapify" is truly revolutionary instead of just saying "shape-up"
Just read P&V if you want accuracy & faithfulness or read Maude if you want the best English prose.

>> No.17729915

>>17729458
Understood. I will read it. I liked the Death of Ivan Ilic and I'm liking (still reading) the Sonade to Kreutzer.