The Karamazov brothers: A novel in four parts with an epilogue, in two volumes (Selected works / Fyodor Dostoyevsky)

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Translation of an Astounding Classic
Review: After being thoroughly spoiled ROTTEN by Ignat Avsey's beautifully flowing translation of this work, I'm having trouble digging into the first few chapters of "Crime and Punishment", translated by Constance Garnett. It is incredible the stylistic difference between the two translators. Ignat claims to stay truer to the style and spirit of Dostoevsky rather than remain grammatical and structurally confined to perfectionistic "direct" translation, which seems to create clumsy and confusing sentences and phrases, often requiring constant rereading and scrutiny of awkward sentences which I'm sure flow wonderfully in Russian, yet translated "exactingly" into the English language create stumbling blocks to enjoyable comprehension of Dostoevsky's vision. I find Ignat's craft infinitely more engaging and clear, and having now begun a Garnett translation I am immeadiately struck by how stiff and in my opinion, unnecessarily confusing the phrasing and grammar is. I came online hoping Ignat may have translated other Dostoevsky novels, but alas, I can't find any.
At the bookstore, intrigued by the rewording of the title, I read about 3 pages of his version, and then a few of Garnett's. I knew right away which one to buy. I can't recommend his version enough, the novel is astounding and well worth the trouble of taking on, and is sure to be especially delightful if you're reading the Ignat Avsey version.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Translation of an Astounding Classic
Review: After being thoroughly spoiled ROTTEN by Ignat Avsey's beautifully flowing translation of this work, I'm having trouble digging into the first few chapters of "Crime and Punishment", translated by Constance Garnett. It is incredible the stylistic difference between the two translators. Ignat claims to stay truer to the style and spirit of Dostoevsky rather than remain grammatical and structurally confined to perfectionistic "direct" translation, which seems to create clumsy and confusing sentences and phrases, often requiring constant rereading and scrutiny of awkward sentences which I'm sure flow wonderfully in Russian, yet translated "exactingly" into the English language create stumbling blocks to enjoyable comprehension of Dostoevsky's vision. I find Ignat's craft infinitely more engaging and clear, and having now begun a Garnett translation I am immeadiately struck by how stiff and in my opinion, unnecessarily confusing the phrasing and grammar is. I came online hoping Ignat may have translated other Dostoevsky novels, but alas, I can't find any.
At the bookstore, intrigued by the rewording of the title, I read about 3 pages of his version, and then a few of Garnett's. I knew right away which one to buy. I can't recommend his version enough, the novel is astounding and well worth the trouble of taking on, and is sure to be especially delightful if you're reading the Ignat Avsey version.

Rating:
Summary: letter to Ignat Avsey
Review: Dear translator Ignat Avsey,
My friend Jenny Coates was astute enough to steer me to your translation of The Karamazov Brothers. I have just finished reading it and derived enormous pleasure from the experience. As I had never read any Dostoevsky before and know no Russian, I'm on shakey ground in claiming that the pleasure is due to your translation, but I feel sure that it is. I almost never read long books and I feared that I would never finish a 900 page book, but that was before I heard Avsey speak out loud and bold. I could not put it down, I smiled and laughed and wept and loved it and I thank you very much. I wrote to the classics editor at OUP and told her how much I liked it and asked her to bring it out in hardback in which case I guaranteed to buy at least one copy. i also told her that I have bought 10 copies of the paper back to give to my family and friends. I also suggested that I would buy any other books that you translated for OUP.
I am certain that its your translation that reveals the real dostoevsky because people who read other translations tell me that the book is very good, but they never say that it is extremely wonderful and so exciting that you can't put it down. I should explain that I don't often write to authors praising their work, I wrote to Arthur Koestler, Louis Begley and to Oriana Fallaci and yourself, I don't know how you feel belonging to such a group. I also wrote to Jeremy Isaacs thanking him for putting Tony Harrison's V on Channel 4.
Again many many thanks,
Ian shine
New York

Rating:
Summary: letter to Ignat Avsey
Review: Dear translator Ignat Avsey,
My friend Jenny Coates was astute enough to steer me to your translation of The Karamazov Brothers. I have just finished reading it and derived enormous pleasure from the experience. As I had never read any Dostoevsky before and know no Russian, I'm on shakey ground in claiming that the pleasure is due to your translation, but I feel sure that it is. I almost never read long books and I feared that I would never finish a 900 page book, but that was before I heard Avsey speak out loud and bold. I could not put it down, I smiled and laughed and wept and loved it and I thank you very much. I wrote to the classics editor at OUP and told her how much I liked it and asked her to bring it out in hardback in which case I guaranteed to buy at least one copy. i also told her that I have bought 10 copies of the paper back to give to my family and friends. I also suggested that I would buy any other books that you translated for OUP.
I am certain that its your translation that reveals the real dostoevsky because people who read other translations tell me that the book is very good, but they never say that it is extremely wonderful and so exciting that you can't put it down. I should explain that I don't often write to authors praising their work, I wrote to Arthur Koestler, Louis Begley and to Oriana Fallaci and yourself, I don't know how you feel belonging to such a group. I also wrote to Jeremy Isaacs thanking him for putting Tony Harrison's V on Channel 4.
Again many many thanks,
Ian shine
New York

Rating:
Summary: A terrific translation of a classic
Review: Many modern readers are intimidated by books like this. Yes, it's long compared with most modern fiction; and yes, there are some (to Western ears) tongue-twisting Russian names to keep straight. But at its center, The Brothers Karamazov is a riveting murder mystery and social commentary, surprisingly modern (the section about doctors and specialists, particularly)and very readable. It would have been interesting to read this for the first time in the midst of the O.J. Simpson trial, since the trial in the book shares some similarities with that most famous of murder trials. A classic novel, and not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific translation of a classic
Review: Many modern readers are intimidated by books like this. Yes, it's long compared with most modern fiction; and yes, there are some (to Western ears) tongue-twisting Russian names to keep straight. But at its center, The Brothers Karamazov is a riveting murder mystery and social commentary, surprisingly modern (the section about doctors and specialists, particularly)and very readable. It would have been interesting to read this for the first time in the midst of the O.J. Simpson trial, since the trial in the book shares some similarities with that most famous of murder trials. A classic novel, and not to be missed.