Les Misérables
question
goodreads has multiple editions for download - worth it or not?
David
Mar 22, 2014 01:49PM
So goodreads has multiple editions available for free download. Has anyone read one of these editions and if so, are they worth it?
I am fully willing to purchase a copy if the general consensus is that I can find a better edition elsewhere, but prudence dictates that I should check and see if one of these would suffice.
I am fully willing to purchase a copy if the general consensus is that I can find a better edition elsewhere, but prudence dictates that I should check and see if one of these would suffice.
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For anyone interested in deciding between a free ebook and a paid copy of Les Miserables, here's some information!
There have been eight English translations, six of them are still read, five are available as ebooks, and two are available as free ebooks.
The Wilbour (1862) and Hapgood (1887) translations are in the public domain and thus available free online from a variety of sources. They use old-fashioned English which some find pleasant and some find clunky. These translations are also used to produce cheap printed editions, sometimes with extra material, and to produce fancy-looking editions. Some are abridged and some are unabridged. I am planning to read an unabridged Wilbour translation this year.
The Denny (1976) Penguin translation is a bit streamlined and moves some of Hugo's material to appendixes. Notes are included. Personally I wouldn't choose this one because it sounds like Denny was trying to "correct" Hugo, which seems inappropriate. Doesn't seem to be available as an ebook.
The Fahnestock/MacAfee (1987) Signet Classics version is an updated version of the Wilbour translation. It is unabridged and quite popular, but does not contain any helpful notes on the text.
The Rose (2007) translation uses aggressively modernized language and may not be to everyone's taste. I wouldn't read this one.
The Donougher (2013) Penguin translation looks to be modern (but not too modern), and has the advantage of some detailed explanatory notes. I would totally read this one!
For more information on the different English translations of Les Miserables, visit We Love Translations: World Literature in English:
https://welovetranslations.com/2021/0...
There have been eight English translations, six of them are still read, five are available as ebooks, and two are available as free ebooks.
The Wilbour (1862) and Hapgood (1887) translations are in the public domain and thus available free online from a variety of sources. They use old-fashioned English which some find pleasant and some find clunky. These translations are also used to produce cheap printed editions, sometimes with extra material, and to produce fancy-looking editions. Some are abridged and some are unabridged. I am planning to read an unabridged Wilbour translation this year.
The Denny (1976) Penguin translation is a bit streamlined and moves some of Hugo's material to appendixes. Notes are included. Personally I wouldn't choose this one because it sounds like Denny was trying to "correct" Hugo, which seems inappropriate. Doesn't seem to be available as an ebook.
The Fahnestock/MacAfee (1987) Signet Classics version is an updated version of the Wilbour translation. It is unabridged and quite popular, but does not contain any helpful notes on the text.
The Rose (2007) translation uses aggressively modernized language and may not be to everyone's taste. I wouldn't read this one.
The Donougher (2013) Penguin translation looks to be modern (but not too modern), and has the advantage of some detailed explanatory notes. I would totally read this one!
For more information on the different English translations of Les Miserables, visit We Love Translations: World Literature in English:
https://welovetranslations.com/2021/0...
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