I tried reading through the P&V translation of War and Peace at the beginning of 2023. Every page made me gnash my teeth! I gave up in frustration at the end of Book I. I blamed Tolstoy. I blamed me. It never ever ever occurred to me to blame P&V. Now I realize their War and Peace was, yes, a Pevearsion of Tolstoy. I'm going to try again, God willing, in 2024. But with a different translation in hand this time.
Michael Katz also translated "Notes From Underground" in the Norton Anthology Edition -- a mere 272 pages. I don't have it in my heart to read another massive Dostoevsky tome in 2023. I read the P&V translation of Notes a few years ago and didn't enjoy it one bit. I'm looking forward to the Katz translation.
I liked it as a contrast to an older translation, and I was able to follow it OK since I was already familiar with the story. But to quote the early 90s song, "This is ponderous." I struggled with the P&V versions of TBK and Demons and thought my short attention span was to blame. Your review gives me hope that I may enjoy them all For Reals someday. Thanks!
I realized the truth of this when I read the most recent translation of The Odyssey by Emily Wilson. I was riveted. Translating old stories into modern language is a noble undertakings
Thank you for this review. Maybe I’ll finally be able to make it through a Russian novel with this translation. My Russian Orthodox husband will appreciate your attention to the source material informing the theological views of the characters. Well done.
I already love that novel and I'm *so* happy to know about this I am now forwarding this post to my parents in case they're wondering what to get me for Christmas. 😊
I’ll have to check this out. I managed to get through the Garnett translation someone gave me from a used book store. I finished it, but it didn’t move me-I figured Dostoevsky just wasn’t my style.
I've always been a fan of the P&V translation. As an Orthodox Christian, their rendering of Orthodox liturgical and theological is essential for me—when Katz or Garnette uses phrase like "Mass" instead of "Liturgy," I tend to tune out. Then again, I think reading the novel at a quick pace is crucial for getting immerse, so if Katz helps on that front, I think it's worth it. Thanks for the review and the overview of the novel itself. Here's a post I recently did covering BK's chiastic structure which might interest you: https://open.substack.com/pub/armchairnotes/p/dostoevskys-mountain-of-meaning
What a great post! Thank you, John Stamps. I'm a native Russian speaker and I've always found the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation unnecessary literal and sluggish. Can't wait to see what Katz has done with the language!
Over 25 years ago I read TBK for a Russian lit class. We read the Norton Critical Edition with "The Garnett Translation" revised by Ralph Matlaw. I still have the copy underlined with strips of paper and notes strewn throughout. If there were a group interested in reading along, I might attempt it again with this new translation. My major was Russian language and literature. Because I know Russian, the names (informal, formal and patronymics) don't hang me up as much as they might but even so I know I'd appreciate the simplification.
Hey Emily, as a follow-up, I just finished reading Gary Saul Morson's "The God of Onions" from the Norton Critical Edition. Truly powerful reflection about God in TBK. You might be able to find it elsewhere if it's not in your first edition.
I checked out the Norton Critical Edition via Inter-Library-Loan, updated in 2011. Not so much for the translation, but for the critical essays. I particularly wanted to read Gary Saul Morson's essay, "The God of Onions." That essay might not be in your first edition.
Same. I sometimes joke that I’ve started TBK more times than most smokers quit cigarettes. I’ve always tried the P&V translation, but John’s review makes me want to try (yet) again with Katz.
This review sold me! Thanks. This is now in my on deck circle.
John Stamps, do you have a similar dim view of the P and L translations of Tolstoy?
I tried reading through the P&V translation of War and Peace at the beginning of 2023. Every page made me gnash my teeth! I gave up in frustration at the end of Book I. I blamed Tolstoy. I blamed me. It never ever ever occurred to me to blame P&V. Now I realize their War and Peace was, yes, a Pevearsion of Tolstoy. I'm going to try again, God willing, in 2024. But with a different translation in hand this time.
Thanks. That's really helpful to know!
i tried reading that version of War and Peace and gave up.
I read TBK several years ago, but I wanted to give it a reread. This translation by Katz looks terrific.
J.I. Packer read two books every year: The Pilgrim's Progress and TBK. That is a decent recommendation.
I’d say, especially considering their theological commitments varied so much.
Interesting! I just read "Crime and Punishment" for the first time (P&V translation)... I'll have to check out what Katz is doing with Dostoyevsky.
Katz started with C&P. It’s been really well received.
Michael Katz also translated "Notes From Underground" in the Norton Anthology Edition -- a mere 272 pages. I don't have it in my heart to read another massive Dostoevsky tome in 2023. I read the P&V translation of Notes a few years ago and didn't enjoy it one bit. I'm looking forward to the Katz translation.
https://www.amazon.com/Underground-Second-Norton-Critical-Editions/dp/0393976122
I didn't enjoy the P&V translation of Crime and Punishment either.
I liked it as a contrast to an older translation, and I was able to follow it OK since I was already familiar with the story. But to quote the early 90s song, "This is ponderous." I struggled with the P&V versions of TBK and Demons and thought my short attention span was to blame. Your review gives me hope that I may enjoy them all For Reals someday. Thanks!
Adding this to my list!
Excellent!
i had no idea about this book, but i’m certainly reading it this year. Thank you!
Sweet! I’m tempted myself. I’ve tried TBK several times before. I probably just had the wrong translation.
I realized the truth of this when I read the most recent translation of The Odyssey by Emily Wilson. I was riveted. Translating old stories into modern language is a noble undertakings
I just read Emily Wilson's translation of the Iliad. What a delight.
Amen. Translation is one of the great humanist gifts to the world.
Thank you for this review. Maybe I’ll finally be able to make it through a Russian novel with this translation. My Russian Orthodox husband will appreciate your attention to the source material informing the theological views of the characters. Well done.
Ok, you’ve convinced me! Thanks for the great review.
Love hearing that!
I already love that novel and I'm *so* happy to know about this I am now forwarding this post to my parents in case they're wondering what to get me for Christmas. 😊
Perfect! Always happy to help with Christmas booking shopping!
😄
I’ll have to check this out. I managed to get through the Garnett translation someone gave me from a used book store. I finished it, but it didn’t move me-I figured Dostoevsky just wasn’t my style.
It’s amazing how pivotal the translation can be for our ability to enjoy a book. If the translation falls flat it can ruin the experience.
I've always been a fan of the P&V translation. As an Orthodox Christian, their rendering of Orthodox liturgical and theological is essential for me—when Katz or Garnette uses phrase like "Mass" instead of "Liturgy," I tend to tune out. Then again, I think reading the novel at a quick pace is crucial for getting immerse, so if Katz helps on that front, I think it's worth it. Thanks for the review and the overview of the novel itself. Here's a post I recently did covering BK's chiastic structure which might interest you: https://open.substack.com/pub/armchairnotes/p/dostoevskys-mountain-of-meaning
Excited to have this excuse to read it yet again. Well recommended!
What a great post! Thank you, John Stamps. I'm a native Russian speaker and I've always found the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation unnecessary literal and sluggish. Can't wait to see what Katz has done with the language!
Over 25 years ago I read TBK for a Russian lit class. We read the Norton Critical Edition with "The Garnett Translation" revised by Ralph Matlaw. I still have the copy underlined with strips of paper and notes strewn throughout. If there were a group interested in reading along, I might attempt it again with this new translation. My major was Russian language and literature. Because I know Russian, the names (informal, formal and patronymics) don't hang me up as much as they might but even so I know I'd appreciate the simplification.
Hey Emily, as a follow-up, I just finished reading Gary Saul Morson's "The God of Onions" from the Norton Critical Edition. Truly powerful reflection about God in TBK. You might be able to find it elsewhere if it's not in your first edition.
You're right I don't have that essay in my edition... 1976!
I checked out the Norton Critical Edition via Inter-Library-Loan, updated in 2011. Not so much for the translation, but for the critical essays. I particularly wanted to read Gary Saul Morson's essay, "The God of Onions." That essay might not be in your first edition.
Same. I sometimes joke that I’ve started TBK more times than most smokers quit cigarettes. I’ve always tried the P&V translation, but John’s review makes me want to try (yet) again with Katz.