To Live, a novel by Yu Hua

[Archaea]

http://www.amazon.com/Live-Novel-Yu-Hua/dp/1400031869

ordered this book, so I can have another book I don't finish.

[MikeWaters]

Stuff white people like: ordering books that they will never read, yet somehow the act of buying them allows them to feel superior to other people.

I'm well-practiced.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Stuff white people like: ordering books that they will never read, yet somehow the act of buying them allows them to feel superior to other people.

I'm well-practiced.

I am well-practiced in the art of the half-read book. That book and the books by Gao Xingjian, a Nobel Prize winning dissident author appear interesting. http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Mountain-.../dp/0060936231

[SeattleUte]

This looks like a great book. I'm leery though of these noble politicaly themed stories by oppressed authors. I think they get acclaimed regardless of literary merit, especially if the book was banned. I suppose the quality of the translator may matter most.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

This looks like a great book. I'm leery though of these noble politicaly themed stories by oppressed authors. I think they get acclaimed regardless of literary merit, especially if the book was banned. I suppose the quality of the translator may matter most.

I have often wondered why the translator does not receive more acclaim. As a part time translator, I can tell you that no two translations are of the same quality. So if you like the lyrical quality of a translation, it's often because you like the lyrical abilities of the translator.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Archaea

I have often wondered why the translator does not receive more acclaim. As a part time translator, I can tell you that no two translations are of the same quality. So if you like the lyrical quality of a translation, it's often because you like the lyrical abilities of the translator.

Actually, this has much changed. Translators often now receive joint billing with the authors, particularly on major works. For example,

http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Faustus...2555379&sr=1-3

I often see translators praised in reviews as they justly should be. The recent renditions of the Greek epic poems, The Divine Comedy, Beowulf and the Aeneid have been miraculous and praise has been heaped on the translators. Translations of course are also protected by copyright even as older ones have expired. Even in the past certain translations have been recognized as works of genius, as for example, Alexander Pope's version in rhyming couplets, which was recognized as pretty much a whole new work of poetry altogether.

To expand your point here is an interesting web site I found comparing five different translations of the opening of the Iliad.

http://www.editoreric.com/greatlit/t...ons/Iliad.html

But of course we know it's a proven fact that the King James Version is the one God most approves of for the Bible, because those were the words JS saw in the magic eyeglass!

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Actually, this has much changed. Translators often now receive joint billing with the authors, particularly on major works. For example,

http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Faustus...2555379&sr=1-3

I often see translators praised in reviews as they justly should be. The recent renditions of the Greek epic poems, The Divine Comedy, Beowulf and the Aeneid have been miraculous and praise has been heaped on the translators. Translations of course are also protected by copyright even as older ones have expired. Even in the past certain translations have been recognized as works of genius, as for example, Alexander Pope's version in rhyming couplets, which was recognized as pretty much a whole new work of poetry altogether.

To expand your point here is an interesting web site I found comparing five different translations of the opening of the Iliad.

http://www.editoreric.com/greatlit/t...ons/Iliad.html

But of course we know it's a proven fact that the King James Version is the one God most approves of for the Bible, because those were the words JS saw in the magic eyeglass!

After having translated the first chapter of the poem, I now favor Butler or Fagles translation, as Pope basically took Homer's content and rearranged it for his own purposes. Here's a link to an interlineated version. http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek...ad.asp?homer=9