Discovering Russian Literature discussion

Hello all! I'm opening this thread so we can find about the best translations of The Idiot. We all know that P/V translations are famous among the readers, but I've heard David Magarshack’s one The Idiot is a better translation of The Idiot even than P/V.

We select the book with the best translation, usually we go for P/V. I once picked it up and I was unimpressed, now this may be an unpopular thing to say, but I wonder if P/V is always the best?
So which is the best for "The Idiot"?

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Silver or I will put up the Reading Schedule later.

I read and own the P/V version. I think the The Idiot is a challenging read. It's certainly worthwhile and a must for Dostoevsky fans, but it is challenging--regardless of translation (IMO)! I found reading background information very helpful--I own Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time, and that book has been helpful to me.

I read the David McDuff version and loved it.

I read a Henry Carlisle translation and I managed to give "The Idiot" the five stars it deserves so I'd say it's a good translation.

So we'll stay with P/V translation.

Use this thread to post any information and related resources that will enhance our group reading and discussion. Please avoid spoilers!

The Reading Schedule.

Part 1
Chapters 1 - 7 (January 1 to 7)
Chapters 8 - 14 (January 8 to 14)

Part 2
(Chapters 1 - 12) (January 15 to 25)
Part 3
(Chapters 1 - 10) (January 26 to 31)
part 4
(Chapters 1 - 11) (February 1 to 7)


We are open to suggestions and modifications.

Btw, Who would like to lead the discussion on The Idiot in January? It's better to have a discussion leader.

I am happy to lead or co-lead the discussion as a Dostoevsky fan, but not an expert ;}. If anyone wants to split the schedule, that would be great. Otherwise, I can give it a shot.

"All those who have spoken of it [The Idiot] as my best work have something special in their mental formation that has always struck and pleased me." Dostoevsky, 1877

"The Idiot is the most personal of all his major works, the book in which he embodies his most intimate, cherished, and sacred convictions." Joseph Frank, Dostoevsky biographer

For our group discussion, I'd like to recognize that many of us have our best intentions when we sign up and then get sidetracked by life, followed by the attendant "I signed up but can't participate" guilt. While we're hoping everyone can find or make--or invent--the time to participate, if you are unable to, simple do this: Open up the book (paper or electronic), locate a single sentence--by choice or at random--for the assigned chapter(s), type that sentence into a comment box, and send it out into the world. Simple. No need to comment on your selection (although of course you can if you want). Including the specific chapter would be helpful, but not necessary. That's it. Just find a sentence, send it out, and see what happens . . .

I'm looking forward to a lively discussion of Dostoevsky's vision of Prince Myshkin as "a perfectly beautiful man."

This is my first time tackling the Idiot. I'm excited to read all of the group's input.

I was going to read Hesse's the Glass Bead Game, but I decided to put it off when I noticed January's choice!

I received Eva Martin's translation for Christmas. I'm not familiar with her. Does anyone have qualms with her translation?

I am not familiar with her work (1915 translation), but I think it's safe to say it doesn't matter (as far as choice of translation for the individual reader)--we are glad for the interest and participation.

For anyone new to The Idiot, I would highly encourage background reading--even just a short article or introduction--unless you are very familiar with the context of the novel. If so, we really welcome your comments.

Wikipedia has a plot summary and translation list and some rather interesting reference points: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Idiot

"And how can one love two at once? With two different kinds of love? That's interesting . . . poor idiot."

I'd abandoned the book over Christmas out of sheer irritation with it, but I did make it up to Chapter 14 or part One, so I think I'll join the discussion and see if you all can somehow make me see why it's a good book. Or something like that.

Glad you're willing to hang in there, Katy! I read The idiot in May 2010, and when I started reviewing in preparation, I'd forgotten how many characters and plot turns and twists there are. I'm not sure if anyone can convince if TI is a "good" book, but I think it is a worthwhile book and well worth the reading time investment. But we shall see . . .

I figure if I finish it, and still hate it, I can at least say that I didn't like it without sounding like a numpty who simply couldn't understand it.

BTW, my book has 16 chapters in part one.

I just got an old copy of The Idiot, the Carlisle translation, in the mail today. I think I just might make it my first read of 2012, considering I'm on the last hundred pages of Crime and Punishment (which I have loved thus far, and see no reason that that trend wouldn't continue to the end). I don't think I'll formally join the club reading, though I may lurk around the discussions. I don't think I have the patience to read at anyone's pace then my own, unfortunately, and I'm sure all of your observations would overshadow my own anyway!

Feel free to lurk, comment, or just send a selected sentence out! C&P and TI are an interesting pairing.

I thought so, too, and wondered if I shouldn't maybe read something else, lest the juxtaposition of the two jar me. But the only other Dostoevsky I have is The Brothers K, and considering a lot of people seem to think it's D's best work, I might want to save that one for another time when I can appreciate it more.

MountainShelby wrote: "I am happy to lead or co-lead the discussion as a Dostoevsky fan, but not an expert ;}. If anyone wants to split the schedule, that would be great. Otherwise, I can give it a shot."

Thanks Shelby! My schedule tighter after the schools reopen on 4th.

I've read a "The Idiot" earlier but I have to admit it was difficult to read and I don't think I read it well. I'm hoping the time will permit me to join. It was a Garnett translation but I wouldn't be so quick to place the blame on her, may be it's my problem. I have two translations with me now. One is Eva Martin's and the other...I'm not sure. I'll go through the first chapters and join with the best one.

I set up folders for the chapters--if only I could figure out how to organize them, ha. I posted prompts and background information, but everyone can contribute.

I used to see threads went up on the day we started that part rather than seeing all the threads opened at the same time but I think this way is ok too :)

Here are some information to other readers that I just read.

Historical Background of the Novel

The Idiot was conceived and created in the late 1860s when the enthusiasm over the liberal reforms of Alexander II was beginning to wane and their results were proving to be unfavorable to many. The emancipation of serfs in 1861 and subsequent reforms of judicial, civil, and military administrations moved Russia toward a modern Rechsstaat and a capitalist society. Especially in Petersburg, where the action of The Idiot takes place, the effects of the reforms were eminent: money economy, symbolized by the stock exchange, prevailed with many financial institutions and industrial plants; the legal profession began to gain in importance and prestige; a positivist and materialist worldview was becoming the norm among the educated and, therefore, Russia's progress was being perceived by these people in terms of emulation of Western standards.

The radicalism and nihilism of the youth of the sixties were quite unprecedented. Those dissapointed with the outcomes of the reforms turned to organized subversion and violence. The attempt on the tsar's life in 1866 by Dmitri Karakozov, a student, was just one of the many phenomena in the late 1860s Russia that Dostoevsky observed with astonishment as the consequences of the diversion of the upper class elite from Russian cultural traditions and spiritual resources embodied in the Christian faith of the simple Russian people.

"Making of The Idiot" - This article is very interesting.

http://community.middlebury.edu/~beye...

Thanks for the background info Shanez, as always! :)

MountainShelby wrote: "I set up folders for the chapters--if only I could figure out how to organize them, ha. I posted prompts and background information, but everyone can contribute."

I saw that. I just marked the current thread as important so everyone can find it quickly. I wasn't planning to read this but your enthusiasm as well as that of all the others just won me over :) Great job!

One more thing, please add a "No Spoiler" massage in the beginning of the other threads. Something like below:

ONLY if you comment on something beyond these chapters, please warn others with ***spoilers included**** or use the formatting tips in Goodreads, (some html is ok)

Will do--thanks. The discussion is going well. I really enjoy the perspectives of others.

This discussion has started a long time ago, my comment is a bit late.
Anyway, I am reading "The Idiot" these days and the translation raised my eyebrows. I remember I read other Russian translations, of Tolstoy mainly, and how much I enjoyed them then. So, after reading half of the book translated by Constance Garnett, I've given it up and bought myself a digital one, translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky.
It reminds me of classical music: you can buy a cheap CD but only after you have listened to the same music conducted and played by better performers, you understand why there are cheap and costly CDs of the same musical masterpiece.

Agree, Larissa is one of the best ...