21st Century Literature discussion

I learned recently new translations of The Metamorphosis (Kafka's due next January--translated by Susan Bernofsky; Ovid's already released November of last year--translated by Stephanie McCarter), which got me thinking about multiple translations of a single work...

Of works that have already been translated at least once, have there been re- or newer translations that have impressed you?

They're not new but two translations of many-times-translated works that are phenomenal in my opinion:

Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A New Verse Translation translated by Simon Armitage

I also recently read a translation of Sophocles' Electra by Canadian poet Anne Carson that I liked.

I've head a lot of praise for the Heaney translation, Greg. Sounds like nary a disappointment in the bunch!

Marc wrote: "I've head a lot of praise for the Heaney translation, Greg. Sounds like nary a disappointment in the bunch!"

I've read it a few times over the years and loved it every time!

Partly because of that, my expectations for his translation of Aeneid Book VI were very high. But that one I was a little disappointed in. The meaning was very clear and still quite readable but nowhere near as beautifully done.

With the Aeneid, I actually preferred older translations like the one by Robert Fitzgerald. Of course, Heaney was working on his translation while he was suffering his final illness, and I believe his widow organized the papers after his death. But book VI of the Aeneid with the trip to the underworld is fascinating and lovely; I had so been looking forward to reading his translation of it after his superb translation of Beowulf!

Interesting. I just finished reading We the Parasites, which made a couple references to the Aeneid and it occurred to me I hadn't yet read it---sounds like the Fitzgerald translation might be the way to go.

I'm always fascinated by the different translations of non-English novels. Sometimes there's a consensus as to which translation is best, other times there are different merits to various translations. It can get confusing.

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "I'm always fascinated by the different translations of non-English novels. Sometimes there's a consensus as to which translation is best, other times there are different merits to various translati..."

I don't think I've read multiple translations of any one book. I hear a new translation of Pedro Páramo is due out later this year, so I may give that a go.

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "I'm always fascinated by the different translations of non-English novels. Sometimes there's a consensus as to which translation is best, other times there are different merits to various translati..."

That's for sure true RJ. I read the Fitzgerald translation for books 1-5, then I read both translations of book 6, then the rest of the Fitzgerald. Both translations had different strengths - the Heaney translation was a much easier read for instance with fewer old terms for ancient tribes. Fitzgerald sent me to dictionaries or internet searches more often. But I definitely found the Fitzgerald more satisfying overall.

What translation is "best" depends also on your purpose. A dry translation that is scrupulously accurate and terribly boring and unimaginative in language might be best for scholarship.

As a reader seeking enjoyment, I prefer translations of poetry by translators who are poets in their own right because they are trying to preserve not the pure mechanics of the meaning but the experience, the wonder where appropriate. If I was writing papers or pursuing scholarship, I might read them alongside other translations done by critics.

But with many translated works, I have read multiple translations and none of them were a waste. I recently read The Inferno of Dante translated by the American poet Robert Pinsky and it was a great companion to more established translations. With translations of poetry especially, I enjoy reading several renditions over time when I can. For novels, I'll usually sample a few translations, figure out which one I enjoy reading the most, and go with it. For novels, I'm not as picky.

I love reading some of the ancient classics and have read several different translations of each. Some of my favorites:

The Iliad: A New Translation by Caroline Alexander. I found her language to be more accessible and lucid than previous translations. She does a line-by-line translation, retaining the same number of lines as in Homer.

I also enjoyed Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey. Her translation was very quirky and unconventional. Her unabashedly gendered perspective exposes some of the gender bias in previous translations, which is refreshing. She strips the poem of its epic voice, opting for very down-to-earth language. But her occasional use of colloquialism is a bit jarring. For example, Telemachus addresses Eurycleia as "Nanny;" Penelope addresses her as "sweat heart."

Maria Dahvana Headley's translation of Beowulf is an absolute riot. She has studied the poem extensively and aims to render the poem as close to the spirit of its original form as possible, which, as she says, is “a text that is as bubbly and juicy as I think it ought to feel.” She punctuates traditional, stately passages of sublime poetry with contemporary four-letter words and phrases. For example, Wealhtheow admires Beowulf’s “brass balls.” Treasure is now “bling.” The watchman in Denmark initially confronts Beowulf with, “There’s a dress code! You’re denied.”
Not a conventional translation, but so much fun!

A really beautiful book and wonderful translation of the 1001 Arabian Nights is The Annotated Arabian Nights: Tales from 1001 Nights by Yasmine Seale, edited by Paulo Lemos Horta. This is a remarkable piece of scholarship and translation, as well as a visual feast for the eyes. It includes the enchanting illustrations of Edmund Dulac and the contemporary illustrations of Dia al-Azawi. It should be savored slowly.

One of my favorite epic poems is Gilgamesh. I loved Stephen Mitchell's Gilgamesh. But last year I read Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic by Sophus Helle and that just blew me away. Nothing even comes close to this. It is a brilliant, exciting translation with invaluable insights and commentary. I highly recommend it for those approaching the poem for the first time and for others who have read multiple translations.

I think I read over 60 books last year, and Helle's translation was my favorite read of the year.

Tamara, I also loved Headley’s Beowulf and I’ve really enjoyed hearing her speak about her choices too in various interviews I’ve watched online. Her translation was beautiful.

Tamara wrote: "One of my favorite epic poems is Gilgamesh. I loved Stephen Mitchell's Gilgamesh. But last year I read Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic by Sophus Helle and that just blew me away. Nothing even comes close to this. It is a brilliant, exciting translation with invaluable insights and commentary. I highly recommend it for those approaching the poem for the first time and for others who have read multiple translations."

My favorite translation of Gilgamesh up to this point has been the Stephen Mitchell one, I love that one too! I think Stephen Mitchell is an amazing translator in general - I love his translations of Rilke in The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke. Many of his renditions in that book are exquisite! He's done some fascinating biblical translations as well.

But I've never read (or even heard of) the Helle translation. It sounds interesting - I will definitely look for it!

Lark wrote: "Tamara, I also loved Headley’s Beowulf and I’ve really enjoyed hearing her speak about her choices too in various interviews I’ve watched online. Her translation was beautiful."

She is awesome, isn't she? I don't know if you've read her retelling of Beowulf in The Mere Wife. She uses the myth to explore themes of racism, classism, othering, power, and privilege.

Greg wrote: "But I've never read (or even heard of) the Helle translation. It sounds interesting - I will definitely look for it!.."

Greg, it came out fairly recently--a little over a year ago. My eldest son bought it for me for my birthday. He keeps a running tab of books he knows I'll enjoy and sends me one whenever there's an occasion. We raised him well :)

Greg, it came out fairly recently--a little over a year ago. My eldest son bought it for me for my birthday. He keeps a running tab of books he knows I'll enjoy and sends me one whenever there's an occasion. We raised him well :)"

That's wonderful Tamara! You raised him well indeed! :)

For poets translating poetry, Ted Hughes’ Oresteia and Tales from Ovid are both up there on my list of amazing modern translations along with Heaney’s Beowulf as mentioned by others.

I have also re-read pretty much all of Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and Bulgakov with the Pevear/Volokhonsky translations which may be controversial but are just so readable it’s really been fun over the years.

I reread The Master and Margarita in the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation, which I thought was excellent.

I have never read War and Peace and keep going back and forth on which translation to go with. Most people seem to think the Pevear/Volokhonsky is superior, but there is no way I'm going to read all the French in footnotes. That particular conceit struck me as ridiculous.