[ 3 / biz / cgl / ck / diy / fa / ic / jp / lit / sci / vr / vt ] [ index / top / reports ] [ become a patron ] [ status ]
2023-11: Warosu is now out of extended maintenance.

/lit/ - Literature

View post   
File: 98 KB, 353x500, lav.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2923277 No.2923277 [Reply] [Original]

Some time ago, I bought Anna Karenina and War and Peace, Wordsworth classics editions, translated by Aylmer and Louise Maude. Are the translations ok or should I get the Pevear-Volokhonsky version?

>> No.2923284

>not withdrawing to siberian woods for 2 years to learn russian

>trusting people who don't know russian and just parrot others who don't know russian and were themselves just parroting ....

>> No.2923299

>>2923284

Well, that may be true, but I recall some russian guys from a few random threads talking about the translations (they've mostly read both the original and trans), so I thought I might get lucky. Didn't pay much attention then, just skimmed through the threads.

All input is appreciated

>> No.2923304

Tolstoy personally knew and was friends with the Maudes. Aylmer is also quoted as saying "Tolstoy authorized my wife’s translation"

I can't personally attest to the quality of the translations, but i'd read them if I were you, especially if you already own them

>> No.2923412

http://www.amazon.com/quot-Peace-which-translation-best/lm/R2KKCJ3CGIDHSY

This guy read a hell of a lot of different translations and wrote his commentary on them. Might be trustworthy.

>> No.2923420

>>2923412
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R1IK42CKUHYV9V/ref=cm_sylt_byauthor_title_full_
4

And here's his longer guide.

>> No.2923429

>>2923304
To be fair, I think the world of translation has generally improved since then. Thomas Mann's authorized translations, though I haven't read them or the original German, are said to be markedly worse than the John E. Woods translations which go around now.