Posted by verne on October 20, 2005, at 1:25:34
In reply to Re: I can't spell Dostoyvesky, posted by Declan on October 20, 2005, at 0:02:52
Declan, you understand that Dostoyoevsky and Kafka were the comedians of their time.
Hard not to roll on the floor when you hear the first few chapters of the unfinished Castle. The surveyor "K" bit is so funny ... it's no wonder he never "arrived".
Notes I read, raw. The real meat is "Crimes and Punishment". I like the Magarshak translaton although I'm not sure it's still available. He captured Dostovesky although I was never fluent in Russian.
Crazy as it seems, I did read all of Dostovesky in German along with the Magarshak translations, in addition to Kafka, of course. In the end, I liked Magarshak's penguin translations best.
Yet, Kafka is my favorite writer. I have all his works - some in German. My german skills have eroded, sadly, but the English translations are excellent. The guy who translated most of Kafka into English was as devoted to Kafka as Max Brod or what's his butt's name.
When it comes to translations, his butt and maybe Magarshak's butt, know no equal. I think they could have finished Kafka's "The Castle"! Did I say that I love Magarshak and "what's his Butt"?
can i direct a little indirect fire on my current position? I hope I don't wake up tomorrow.
By the way, "The Devils" is the best translation. Otherwise known as "The Possessed".
Verne
poster:verne
thread:569020
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20051015/msgs/569171.html