The eternal husband and other stories

Rating:
Summary: A Difficult Translation of Masterful Works
Review: Although not the greatest collection of his work, this is quite good. The cover art--a Magritte reproduction--is the ideal visual counterpart to Dostoievski's text, for both artists were intent upon revealing what lay beneath the surface of the human psyche. This collection is an excellent representation of stories that have not been anthologized as frequently as Dostoievski's most famous works. However, not each of these new translations has been accomplished with the greatest skill. The text would also benefit from a more thorough introduction, more detailed notes, and perhaps a broader context for the individual stories. Despite these inadequacies, however, the work is Dostoievski's and therefore masterful. Selections such as "A Nasty Anecdote" remind us that he could write not only brilliant, tragic, serious novels but also witty, occasionally disturbing stories. If you like Gogol, Bulgakov, Kafka, or Borges, this collection is for you. If you like great writing, this collection is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Collection
Review: Although not the greatest collection of his work, this is quite good. The cover art--a Magritte reproduction--is the ideal visual counterpart to Dostoievski's text, for both artists were intent upon revealing what lay beneath the surface of the human psyche. This collection is an excellent representation of stories that have not been anthologized as frequently as Dostoievski's most famous works. However, not each of these new translations has been accomplished with the greatest skill. The text would also benefit from a more thorough introduction, more detailed notes, and perhaps a broader context for the individual stories. Despite these inadequacies, however, the work is Dostoievski's and therefore masterful. Selections such as "A Nasty Anecdote" remind us that he could write not only brilliant, tragic, serious novels but also witty, occasionally disturbing stories. If you like Gogol, Bulgakov, Kafka, or Borges, this collection is for you. If you like great writing, this collection is for you.

Rating:
Summary: A Difficult Translation of Masterful Works
Review: As a first-time reader of Dostoevsky, I found this translation to be difficult and the introduction to be inadequate. The wording used is often rough and choppy. It seems as if the translators themselves may not be native English speakers, as there is something odd and awkward about the phrasing used, especially in "Bobok" and "The Eternal Husband". I have since found other translations of these stories that are smoother and more understandable. The introduction could have been expanded to include a more detailed explanation of the political climate of the times these stories were written, especially for "A Nasty Anecdote" in which the changing political climate is a major backdrop to the events of the story.