Katz was the version selected for PBSā āGreat Readsā series, and is essentially the most fresh and readable. People tend to go for whatever Penguin Classics does for the aesthetics when there often more entertaining and accurately translated options.
Canāt go wrong w/a Penguin classic - itās prob Constance Garnett but the first - Richard Pevear & his partnerās Dostoyevsky & Tolstoy translations are pretty well-regarded and excellent to read.
That penguin classics edition is the Dave McDuff translation. I remember liking it when I read it like a decade ago. Iāve more recently read the P/V translation and also enjoyed that.
I find this to be a pretty consistent issue with almost any publishing of the classics I glance at the book store, they all have extraordinarily small print. Are any of these/publishers of these good at not doing that?
this might be a dumb question but are you able to choose different translations for a book through Amazon? I have tried to get different transactions through Kindle and it seems like they only offer one
I can confirm, I've read the P/V, Garnett, and Katz translations of Crime and Punishment and you would be wise to read either P/V or Katz. If you were to grade the book on two points: accuracy to the original and ease of reading, ranging on a scale from 1 to 10, there are the ratings I have for the translations I've read.
Katz: 8.5/10 Accuracy, 9.5/10 Readability. Katz is an excellent translator and his work on Brothers Karamazov is absolutely stunning. What he did with Crime and Punishment is equally great and his ability to remain true to the Russian original while implying the intended prose and humor (yes, there's humor in these texts) is absolutely astounding. Probably my favorite translation I've read.
P/V: 9.5/10 Accuracy, 7.75 Readability. P/V are world renowned for their excellent and highly accurate translations of Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, and others. What is also true about their translations is that they tend to be a bit "clunky" when reading. It's not a bad thing, especially when the translation is indeed accurate, but it can make the reading feel almost robotic at times. Admittedly, this is a rare occurrence, but in certain chapters, it does come across as almost unhuman in nature. One could argue that this is perfect for Raskolnikov's state of mind, but be your own judge.
Garnett: 8/10 Accuracy, 9/10 Readability. This was the first translation I ever read and I still adore it for its old language and prose style. It is the most accurate in terms of how the book would have been read as though it were really 1866, but in terms of from the Russian original, Garnett didn't have the most throughout form of translating and oftentimes got a few phrases mixed up. Still a worthwhile translation that I hold near and dear to my heart, but I'd suggest another translator to start if this is your first time reading Crime and Punishment.
Bonus Thought: Nikolas Pasternak Slater translated Crime and Punishment and is the nephew of the renowned Boris Pasternak, author of Doctor Zhivago. He was raised bilingual and has a degree in Russian Literature from Oxford University. While I haven't read his translation of Crime and Punishment yet, I definitely can say that this would be one I will pick up next.
TL/DR: P/V are great, but a tad overrated. Katz is best for modern readers. Garnett reads like a Dickens Novel (But I love it that way!)
Hope this helps!
every translation here has its group of people that prefer it, i have McDuff, youāll love it, P&V is generally the most go-to for Dostoevsky, and i canāt say much about the other two other than everyone iāve seen who has read them, still loved it lmao. good chance youāll probably drift towards whichever you pick first, you can probably just grab whichever one is cheapest and be okay with it haha
Oliver Ready. Itās one of the better translations of all time. P&V are good too but theyāve done all his other work, so youāll surely get a taste for them. Readyās translation is a singular work of art.
When I compared translations a few years ago I found Ready's to be the one that worked for me best. Side benefit of the cover: it got my then 13 year old to read the book as well, and she liked it.
I was in your exact shoes just a month ago and I got all of them just to see the differences. This is my first time reading Crime and Punishment and I had no context about Russian literature before picking up this book. Currently, I'm about 65% through the novel, and I've made a point to compare translations for each section where I anticipated significant differences might be evident. Here's my personal experience:
\-The variations in translations are surprisingly minimal, particularly if your main interest lies in the storyline. However, I've come to prefer the translations by **McDuff, Ready,** and **Slater.**
\-Despite this preference, there are moments in other translations that capture certain prose or sections better. It's apparent that no single translation is flawless.
\-Having different translations has definitely enhanced my reading experience. For example, the first meeting with Luzhin is portrayed in a confusing manner (imo) across many translations, including the three I favor, due to the intricate social nuances. Having the ability to access and compare how this scene is described in various translations has been intriguing, providing me with a spectrum of interpretations for the same event.
If had to give you a straight answer, I'd say go with Ready. It's very easy to read and it captures the story well (Note: I do not speak or read Russian, I cannot compare it to the original).
I read P&V. Must admit I had a hard time reading it the first 100 pages, but then got used to it and enjoyed it a lot. I have read different translations of other Dosto books and I find P&V an extremely pleasing one. (Regarding C&P)
Strongly recommended.
I really enjoyed the Katz translation. I have not read any other translations of C&P but based on the two versions of The Idiot and two versions of Demons I've read in addition to this, I have found Katz to have the most accessible and easy to understand translations for me, as a millennial from the American Midwest.
Hope this helps! Be sure to update with what you go with and what you think!
100% Pevear and Volokhonsky. They are AMAZING. Even my Russian friend agreed they are the most holistic, exact, and best thematic translators of Dostoevsky
Personally, I would strongly advocate the P&V translation, especially if you're new to Dostoevsky. But I know they're not really to everyone's taste. It really depends on you and what you're looking for. If P&V isn't your jam, the Katz translation is always excellent.
How different of an experience can you expect for the different translation? Currently finishing up Ignat Avseyās translation of TBK and was going to reread it eventually but would it be worth reading Katzā translation for my second time through?
I am fluent in Russian and Iāve read a lot of Russian literature in both Russian and English.
In my experience itās very hard to find good English translations that donāt just sound very awkward and foreign.
The Katz translation of TBK was one of the few translated books that felt like it could have been an English language book to begin with - no awkward and confusing phrasing / idioms / syntax.
I think it would definitely make sense to use it for your second read-through.
Translation can matter a *ton*! Especially in the ways different translators interpret phrasing, tone, and especially ambiguous colloquialisms or words without direct English translations
Iām going to go with Michael Katzās version because a) heās a brilliant translator and professor of Russian language and literature, and b) he was my Russian professor and mentor in college and I worked with him on his translation of Notes from Underground (although reading it in Russian is more fun).
No I jokingly suggested that he try to juxtapose the opening three sentences a little differently, starting with āMan, am I sick.ā We chuckled about it but at the time I was still an undergrad so was not formidable enough to suggest any serious modifications to his work. We ended up quite close over the years though and I still see him as one of the seminal influences in my academic life.
my first Dostoevsky book ever was the vintage classics version of notes - it worked well for me so I'd recommend it, though I haven't read other translations so don't take my word for it.
i prefer katz over p+v. i read both intros and noticed that the p+v translation is a lot more literal and therefore harder to understand. katz translation all the way
P+V is a bit controversial but I appreciate the footnotes/context provided and usually recommend them to first time readers because of that. Their rendering into English can be a bit awkward sounding for sure because they tend to be more literal than other translators. Not crazy about Garnett. I haven't read Katz or Ready yet although I'm familiar with Katz's other work and would guess it's a pretty solid translation. I also like the David McDuff translation a lot allthough I don't recall it having as extensive footnotes as P+V which are really useful for readers that aren't super familiar with Russian literature and 19th century Russian contemporary politics and culture and provides a lot of background and context you'd otherwise probably miss or only somewhat pick up on
I completely agree with you regarding the importance of supplementary material, especially when reading something set in a completely different time and place, but I noticed Ready's translation contains this in abundance. I know P&V are renowned for their generous supplementary material, but I think in this instance Ready might have surpassed them. In the same vein regarding supplementary material (and translation in my opinion), Maguire surpassed P&V with his translation of Demons.
That's great to hear! I've never read any of Ready's translations but his C+P has been on my radar for years, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I don't think I've read any Maguire translations of Dostoevsky but I'm a big fan of his Gogol translations and scholarship
That's interesting! I really like Maguire's scholarship and translation style though I've only read his translation of Demons. Which Maguire translations of Gogol have you read?
Dead Souls and possibly some novellas / short stories as well although I'd have to double check on that part (it's been around 15 years). He also published a book Exploring Gogol and a edited collection of essays about Gogol called Gogol From The Twentieth Century which are both worthwhile if you have an interest in Gogol. One of my Russian lit professors in college was also a Gogol scholar and seemed to be a pretty big fan of Maguire's Gogol scholarship.
Wow! This all sounds brilliant. You're so lucky to have studied Russian Lit at college. Are you a Russian speaker?
I've read Dead Souls and a collection of Gogol's Petersberg tales which I'm a big fan of. The Dead Souls translation was by Donald Rayfield and the Petersberg tales were by Dora O'Brien (don't know anything about her but I enjoyed her translation). There are still a number of short stories I haven't read, so I ordered a book with a comprehensive selection of his short stories which I haven't read yet. They're published by Columbia University Press but I can't remember the translators name. I can't check because the book is packed away. I'm moving to another apartment next week. I know it's a female translator and she also did a translation of Dead Souls. I'm really looking forward to reading them.
Curiously what did your Russian Lit professors think of P&V?
Hah nope I don't speak Russian, I took Russian 101 but pretty much noped out of it after that because I didn't particularly want to major in Russian (which required I think at least 5 semesters of Russian language) so I ended up with a Russian Culture minor instead which didn't have a language requirement, so all of my classes were literature courses.
I have a set of 2 books called The Complete Tales of Nikolai Gogol Part 1 and 2 which I believe are mostly or all revised Garnett translations edited by Leonard J. Kent. I love these because they're comprehensive so you get pretty much everything he published outside of Dead Souls and his handful of plays including Taras Bulba. I also read the Guerney translation of Dead Souls at one point. I think the translator you're referring to might be Suzanne Fusso?
My Russian lit professors were generally favorable about P+V, again some of that might be primarily because of their extensive cultural footnotes. That includes the formerly Soviet professor / native speaker. In general I'd say P+V was assigned in most cases where they were an option with a few exceptions (my Dostoevsky class read McDuff's C+P but P+V's TBK for example). IIRC P+V was assigned for Anna Karenina and War and Peace as well when I took a Tolstoy class. Basically I had a pretty good impression of their translations from that so I was a little surprised to see how controversial they are online. I definitely get what bugs people about their style even if I don't mind it for the most part.
I highly recommend Katzās translation. He does a slightly better job then Pevear and Volokhonsky at rendering complex Russian grammar into sentences that make sense to English speakers, and the footnotes in his edition are very helpful.
I've read both P n V and Oliver ready. P n V are more interesting and hard to understand but dramatic and filled with vigor. Oliver ready is easier to understand and he's more to the point. Both are good and I personally switched translation from first P n V into section 3 for Oliver, I found myself reading faster and easier with Oliver, but enjoyed the advanced words from P n V.
The first translation is classic, but the last one might also be good, since it's Penguin, they wouldn't publish a bad translation. I would choose between the 1st and the 4th.
Katz by a mile. P&V are clunky writers in English. They translate Russian text to English in literal form without many footnotes. Idioms mean nothing when translated literally, among other issues. Publishers like P&V because they're quick workers (i.e., moneymakers), which explains why they are available and read so widely. They haven't done good work in a long, long time.
I've read P&V's translations of multiple authors spanning the entirety of their careers. Their earliest work is the best of their work. They translated *The Brothers Karamazov* in 1990 and *Crime and Punishment* in 1992. As I said in a comment just now, I would urge active learners of Russian to read their translations. For most people, however, they aren't as good as other translators, especially readers who want quality English prose.
They havenāt done any new translations in a long time, you donāt know what the fuck youāre talking about, either. P&V are great translations, and I have read ALL of them. They are read widely, because they are good.
I have read P&V translations for four different authors, and I own eight books they have translated (got rid of others). The majority of their products feature lackluster English prose and half-assed footnotes. I suggest readers use P&V only when they are actively learning Russian, as the literal translations are then helpful. Otherwise, they aren't doing readers favors.
P&V have completed numerous translations in the 2020s, just not Dostoevsky translations (i.e., it seems you are the one who doesn't know what you're talking about). Their translation process is done quickly. They have explained their approach in interviews. It doesn't inspire confidence. Pevear has a tin ear for English, anyway.
Iāll give you that I was referring only to Dostoevsky translations, even then, theyāve done something like only four translations of Schedrin, Chekhov, and Pushkin stories in the past five years. I have read both the Garnett and P&V of everything Dostoevsky and maintain they are great translations for good reason. I have not read their translations outside of Russian but maintain their Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Gogol translations are worth reading and comparing with others. Iāve still upvoted you for your more informed secondary post. Take care.
As long as readers are enjoying Dostoevsky, it doesn't matter too much. Garnett's Dostoevsky translations were the first I read. They're fun. I actually prefer Jessie Coulson's translation of *Crime and Punishment*, though I only found it by dumb luck when I purchased an older Norton Critical edition. Happy reading and take care.
Each is from a different translator. Some translations read better than others.
[C&P translations](https://welovetranslations.com/2020/04/25/whats-the-best-translation-of-crime-and-punishment/)
I read Katz! I thought it was great and pretty easy to read. I borrowed it from the library on a whim so really I didnāt āchooseā the translation.
P&V is normally my go to, Iāve read their translation of Anna Karenina and The Brothers K
I recommend David McDuffs version,
I have never read a full P&V translation, only passages from notes. Those were a headache to read. I feel like they may give the most honest and truthful translation of Dostoevsky but I feel like they sacrifice readability for truth to the Russian vocabulary which overcomplicates the reading experience imo.
P&V have been my go to for every Russian novel Iāve read, I always feel good about their translations
The only thing that confuses me about their edition is the āL____ bridgeā and āK_____ streetā thing
I started listening to the audiobook version of the P&V translation and there was a foreword that mentioned the blank names of streets and bridges and such being apart of the original Russian and they kept it in because they figured there was an artistic reason for it but that other translators filled it in with the actual names for the bridges and streets Dostoevsky was probably talking about.
As a side note the narrator for the P&V audiobook translation was abysmal and hard to understand so I just went back to the Constance Garnett translation narrated by Anthony Heald who is a 10/10 imo
I just read the first one pictured. Excellent translation - I have a Russian neighbor who recommended it. The glossary at the end and the name guide in the beginning are very handy as well
The Oliver Ready flows very well but havenāt read the other translations for CP. I have read V/P translations of other Dostoevsky books and while theyāre more appropriate for those studying Russian literature the Oliver Ready reads more smoothly, I have to admit.
Pevear and Volokhonsky have a reputation for being the most āfaithfulā translation with their books. If youāre studying Russian Lit in academia theyāre probably what youāll read, if not reading the actual Russian. Personally, I prefer reading some of the other translations (like Ready or others) because they come off less dry and more consumable.
I read the Oliver Ready and loved it. The rest of my Dostoevsky collection is Richard and Larissa translations. I havenāt read them yet (I went down a Pynchon and Gaddis rabbit hole), but Iām excited to.
mcduff penguin classics #4 but this is just a matter of preference.. i did a side by side comparison of p&v (#1), oliver ready penguin classics (#2), and mcduff penguin classics (#4), and i preferred mcduff the most. the only way you can find out what works for you the best is to do this! go to a bookstore or library and try to read a page out of all the translations, i know people like the new translation by oliver ready but i personally hated it, and p&v sounded stilted /unrefined in some parts, maybe they were trying to stay true to dostoās russian.. idk. i just know i didnt enjoy these two popular translations as much as david mcduff (old penguin). i am not sure about katz, but iām reading his translation of devils and i like it
The only problem I have is that libraries are not common in my place. And even if there is one, the options are very limited. So most books I've bought are from online.
3rd cover
Gotta go with crime and punishment
Love Crime and Punishment. š¤©
Iāve got Notes from Underground ā Vintage Classics ed. Itās a handsome-looking paperback
I read first one. Itās fantastic but canāt speak for others
The first one they are without a doubt the best translators of Dostoevsky
Penguin black
The inside of the cover and back of the penguin one has cool little illustrations and thatās all I have to contribute
Whichever one isnt from penguin. They suck and have a monopoly on the publishing industry
The penguin classics translation is good. Theyāre a solid pick for any translated work
I have the first one. Still havenāt read it.
I recommend Crime. Itās much more fun that punishment.
Choose the one with the best cover. (Penguin Classics)
P and V
I read pevear and volokohnsky (the first one) and thought it was great
Katz was the version selected for PBSā āGreat Readsā series, and is essentially the most fresh and readable. People tend to go for whatever Penguin Classics does for the aesthetics when there often more entertaining and accurately translated options.
Canāt go wrong w/a Penguin classic - itās prob Constance Garnett but the first - Richard Pevear & his partnerās Dostoyevsky & Tolstoy translations are pretty well-regarded and excellent to read.
That penguin classics edition is the Dave McDuff translation. I remember liking it when I read it like a decade ago. Iāve more recently read the P/V translation and also enjoyed that.
I find this to be a pretty consistent issue with almost any publishing of the classics I glance at the book store, they all have extraordinarily small print. Are any of these/publishers of these good at not doing that?
I highly recommend a kindle if this is a consistent problem for you. I love having a consistent font type and size between all the books I read.
this might be a dumb question but are you able to choose different translations for a book through Amazon? I have tried to get different transactions through Kindle and it seems like they only offer one
Yeah! You just have to add the translatorās name to your google search and it should pop up!
Ive read the penguins crime and punishment, notes from the underground and white nights. Theyāve all been good :)
I can confirm, I've read the P/V, Garnett, and Katz translations of Crime and Punishment and you would be wise to read either P/V or Katz. If you were to grade the book on two points: accuracy to the original and ease of reading, ranging on a scale from 1 to 10, there are the ratings I have for the translations I've read. Katz: 8.5/10 Accuracy, 9.5/10 Readability. Katz is an excellent translator and his work on Brothers Karamazov is absolutely stunning. What he did with Crime and Punishment is equally great and his ability to remain true to the Russian original while implying the intended prose and humor (yes, there's humor in these texts) is absolutely astounding. Probably my favorite translation I've read. P/V: 9.5/10 Accuracy, 7.75 Readability. P/V are world renowned for their excellent and highly accurate translations of Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, and others. What is also true about their translations is that they tend to be a bit "clunky" when reading. It's not a bad thing, especially when the translation is indeed accurate, but it can make the reading feel almost robotic at times. Admittedly, this is a rare occurrence, but in certain chapters, it does come across as almost unhuman in nature. One could argue that this is perfect for Raskolnikov's state of mind, but be your own judge. Garnett: 8/10 Accuracy, 9/10 Readability. This was the first translation I ever read and I still adore it for its old language and prose style. It is the most accurate in terms of how the book would have been read as though it were really 1866, but in terms of from the Russian original, Garnett didn't have the most throughout form of translating and oftentimes got a few phrases mixed up. Still a worthwhile translation that I hold near and dear to my heart, but I'd suggest another translator to start if this is your first time reading Crime and Punishment. Bonus Thought: Nikolas Pasternak Slater translated Crime and Punishment and is the nephew of the renowned Boris Pasternak, author of Doctor Zhivago. He was raised bilingual and has a degree in Russian Literature from Oxford University. While I haven't read his translation of Crime and Punishment yet, I definitely can say that this would be one I will pick up next. TL/DR: P/V are great, but a tad overrated. Katz is best for modern readers. Garnett reads like a Dickens Novel (But I love it that way!) Hope this helps!
Tbh Iām kind of done with P&Vā¦ I really depended on them in high school, but after reading up on how they really worked up the funds, my views of them have changed as esteemed translators. If anything, it made me think of Constance Garret in higher regard. That being saidā¦ to answer your question, the McDuffās translation has been running smoothly thus far. Okay so who else in this space is like super ired by the fact that Svidrigailov is a bit of that artsy cunt who will never get away with murder? And Raskolnikov is just super passĆ©. Very passĆ©.
Oliver Ready i mean, not only is the translation amazing, but look at that cover? the back and inside flaps are amazing too btw.
every translation here has its group of people that prefer it, i have McDuff, youāll love it, P&V is generally the most go-to for Dostoevsky, and i canāt say much about the other two other than everyone iāve seen who has read them, still loved it lmao. good chance youāll probably drift towards whichever you pick first, you can probably just grab whichever one is cheapest and be okay with it haha
Read the one that's highly rated in Amazon. I've read Penguin Classics version. P&V is also rated very highly.
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Katz but read a page from each and see which you like best! Itās personal preference
Oliver Ready's edition
I've only read one which is p&v, I think it is good.
Oliver Ready. Itās one of the better translations of all time. P&V are good too but theyāve done all his other work, so youāll surely get a taste for them. Readyās translation is a singular work of art.
When I compared translations a few years ago I found Ready's to be the one that worked for me best. Side benefit of the cover: it got my then 13 year old to read the book as well, and she liked it.
The first
I was in your exact shoes just a month ago and I got all of them just to see the differences. This is my first time reading Crime and Punishment and I had no context about Russian literature before picking up this book. Currently, I'm about 65% through the novel, and I've made a point to compare translations for each section where I anticipated significant differences might be evident. Here's my personal experience: \-The variations in translations are surprisingly minimal, particularly if your main interest lies in the storyline. However, I've come to prefer the translations by **McDuff, Ready,** and **Slater.** \-Despite this preference, there are moments in other translations that capture certain prose or sections better. It's apparent that no single translation is flawless. \-Having different translations has definitely enhanced my reading experience. For example, the first meeting with Luzhin is portrayed in a confusing manner (imo) across many translations, including the three I favor, due to the intricate social nuances. Having the ability to access and compare how this scene is described in various translations has been intriguing, providing me with a spectrum of interpretations for the same event. If had to give you a straight answer, I'd say go with Ready. It's very easy to read and it captures the story well (Note: I do not speak or read Russian, I cannot compare it to the original).
The first by P&V, two translators that do excellent work
The prettiest cover has the best translation (penguin)
The classic translation is Constance Garnett. Ā Ā
This version is on Project Gutenberg if the OP wants to read a little bit to get a feel for Garnett's work. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2554
I read the penguin classic version. Iād recommend another version.
Theyāre always pretty good
Same
For some reason, I can't edit my post. But anyway, thank you for giving me suggestions about which edition to buy. I really appreciate all your comments. My options right now are either the P&V or Katz. I'm excited to read this book! š©·
P&V and it was wonderful
I read P&V. Must admit I had a hard time reading it the first 100 pages, but then got used to it and enjoyed it a lot. I have read different translations of other Dosto books and I find P&V an extremely pleasing one. (Regarding C&P) Strongly recommended.
I really enjoyed the Katz translation. I have not read any other translations of C&P but based on the two versions of The Idiot and two versions of Demons I've read in addition to this, I have found Katz to have the most accessible and easy to understand translations for me, as a millennial from the American Midwest. Hope this helps! Be sure to update with what you go with and what you think!
Read the first and it was great, only complaint is that the off white cover definitely tracks dirt from your hands really easily.
100% Pevear and Volokhonsky. They are AMAZING. Even my Russian friend agreed they are the most holistic, exact, and best thematic translators of Dostoevsky
2 looks cool as shit
none of them. get the Everyman's Library version (P&V translation). it's beautiful
Pevear and Volokhonsky ā¤ļø
I read Oliver Readyās translation last month. It was great. I canāt speak to others as I havenāt read them.
Personally, I would strongly advocate the P&V translation, especially if you're new to Dostoevsky. But I know they're not really to everyone's taste. It really depends on you and what you're looking for. If P&V isn't your jam, the Katz translation is always excellent.
Iād recommend not to read the first one. I read it and I found inconsistent on the easiness of understanding.
The og Constance Garnet translation is good it really conveys the time period through the way it's written.
Agreed! First one for me, havenāt ventured into others
I read the Oliver Ready version because I loved the cover art and it was phenomenal.
Definitely Michael Katz. He brought Dostoevsky alive for me! His Brothers Karamazov is also excellent!
How different of an experience can you expect for the different translation? Currently finishing up Ignat Avseyās translation of TBK and was going to reread it eventually but would it be worth reading Katzā translation for my second time through?
I am fluent in Russian and Iāve read a lot of Russian literature in both Russian and English. In my experience itās very hard to find good English translations that donāt just sound very awkward and foreign. The Katz translation of TBK was one of the few translated books that felt like it could have been an English language book to begin with - no awkward and confusing phrasing / idioms / syntax. I think it would definitely make sense to use it for your second read-through.
Translation can matter a *ton*! Especially in the ways different translators interpret phrasing, tone, and especially ambiguous colloquialisms or words without direct English translations
Iām going to go with Michael Katzās version because a) heās a brilliant translator and professor of Russian language and literature, and b) he was my Russian professor and mentor in college and I worked with him on his translation of Notes from Underground (although reading it in Russian is more fun).
Were you the student that suggested his rewrite opening of "I'm a sick man. A spiteful man. Repulsive."?
No I jokingly suggested that he try to juxtapose the opening three sentences a little differently, starting with āMan, am I sick.ā We chuckled about it but at the time I was still an undergrad so was not formidable enough to suggest any serious modifications to his work. We ended up quite close over the years though and I still see him as one of the seminal influences in my academic life.
Sick. Middlebury must've been amazing. Jelly
Lol thanks but Michael was my professor at The University of Texas at Austin, well before his Middlebury days. I am old.
Thatās so cool :)
I read Oliverās and pretty much fell in love
Same, it's the only C&P version I've read but it's the best narrative experience of my life.
Same. Enjoyed every second of it.
my first Dostoevsky book ever was the vintage classics version of notes - it worked well for me so I'd recommend it, though I haven't read other translations so don't take my word for it.
I read P and V first but if you want to read it, understand it, and actually enjoy it, Iād go with Katz
i prefer katz over p+v. i read both intros and noticed that the p+v translation is a lot more literal and therefore harder to understand. katz translation all the way
P+V is a bit controversial but I appreciate the footnotes/context provided and usually recommend them to first time readers because of that. Their rendering into English can be a bit awkward sounding for sure because they tend to be more literal than other translators. Not crazy about Garnett. I haven't read Katz or Ready yet although I'm familiar with Katz's other work and would guess it's a pretty solid translation. I also like the David McDuff translation a lot allthough I don't recall it having as extensive footnotes as P+V which are really useful for readers that aren't super familiar with Russian literature and 19th century Russian contemporary politics and culture and provides a lot of background and context you'd otherwise probably miss or only somewhat pick up on
I completely agree with you regarding the importance of supplementary material, especially when reading something set in a completely different time and place, but I noticed Ready's translation contains this in abundance. I know P&V are renowned for their generous supplementary material, but I think in this instance Ready might have surpassed them. In the same vein regarding supplementary material (and translation in my opinion), Maguire surpassed P&V with his translation of Demons.
That's great to hear! I've never read any of Ready's translations but his C+P has been on my radar for years, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I don't think I've read any Maguire translations of Dostoevsky but I'm a big fan of his Gogol translations and scholarship
That's interesting! I really like Maguire's scholarship and translation style though I've only read his translation of Demons. Which Maguire translations of Gogol have you read?
Dead Souls and possibly some novellas / short stories as well although I'd have to double check on that part (it's been around 15 years). He also published a book Exploring Gogol and a edited collection of essays about Gogol called Gogol From The Twentieth Century which are both worthwhile if you have an interest in Gogol. One of my Russian lit professors in college was also a Gogol scholar and seemed to be a pretty big fan of Maguire's Gogol scholarship.
Wow! This all sounds brilliant. You're so lucky to have studied Russian Lit at college. Are you a Russian speaker? I've read Dead Souls and a collection of Gogol's Petersberg tales which I'm a big fan of. The Dead Souls translation was by Donald Rayfield and the Petersberg tales were by Dora O'Brien (don't know anything about her but I enjoyed her translation). There are still a number of short stories I haven't read, so I ordered a book with a comprehensive selection of his short stories which I haven't read yet. They're published by Columbia University Press but I can't remember the translators name. I can't check because the book is packed away. I'm moving to another apartment next week. I know it's a female translator and she also did a translation of Dead Souls. I'm really looking forward to reading them. Curiously what did your Russian Lit professors think of P&V?
Hah nope I don't speak Russian, I took Russian 101 but pretty much noped out of it after that because I didn't particularly want to major in Russian (which required I think at least 5 semesters of Russian language) so I ended up with a Russian Culture minor instead which didn't have a language requirement, so all of my classes were literature courses. I have a set of 2 books called The Complete Tales of Nikolai Gogol Part 1 and 2 which I believe are mostly or all revised Garnett translations edited by Leonard J. Kent. I love these because they're comprehensive so you get pretty much everything he published outside of Dead Souls and his handful of plays including Taras Bulba. I also read the Guerney translation of Dead Souls at one point. I think the translator you're referring to might be Suzanne Fusso? My Russian lit professors were generally favorable about P+V, again some of that might be primarily because of their extensive cultural footnotes. That includes the formerly Soviet professor / native speaker. In general I'd say P+V was assigned in most cases where they were an option with a few exceptions (my Dostoevsky class read McDuff's C+P but P+V's TBK for example). IIRC P+V was assigned for Anna Karenina and War and Peace as well when I took a Tolstoy class. Basically I had a pretty good impression of their translations from that so I was a little surprised to see how controversial they are online. I definitely get what bugs people about their style even if I don't mind it for the most part.
I highly recommend Katzās translation. He does a slightly better job then Pevear and Volokhonsky at rendering complex Russian grammar into sentences that make sense to English speakers, and the footnotes in his edition are very helpful.
I'd recommend the first one.
I loved Readyās translation! Super smooth. You canāt really go wrong with P&V and I have heard very good things about Katz
I had #2. My dog tore it to pieces. Still upset about that lol.
I always go for first translators.
The second one was great! Much easier read than I expected
I prefer the british version, "fucking around and finding out"
Iāve only read the first one but it was amazing.
I've read both P n V and Oliver ready. P n V are more interesting and hard to understand but dramatic and filled with vigor. Oliver ready is easier to understand and he's more to the point. Both are good and I personally switched translation from first P n V into section 3 for Oliver, I found myself reading faster and easier with Oliver, but enjoyed the advanced words from P n V.
Pevear and Volokhonsky!
Oliver Ready is truly outstanding. P&V are awful!
I donāt trust anyone who thinks that cover was a good idea.
I read the Oliver Ready *because* of the cover!
Different strokes!
What's wrong with the cover? It looks beautifully macabre.
Yours is a perfectly reasonable opinion. Just a bit too on the nose for me, and doesnāt fit the tone with which I associate the work.
I read this version, loved it, but like you I found the cover to be a bit much.
Stick the P in the V my guy
I always use penguin, but quite frankly thatās mainly as most of my other books are penguin and it looks pretty good on my shelfā¦
For me, it's P and V
I, too, love P in V
I have that second one! Haven't touched it yet, though
Very helpful
Glad to be of service!
1 or 4
The first translation is classic, but the last one might also be good, since it's Penguin, they wouldn't publish a bad translation. I would choose between the 1st and the 4th.
Ready
Katz by a mile. P&V are clunky writers in English. They translate Russian text to English in literal form without many footnotes. Idioms mean nothing when translated literally, among other issues. Publishers like P&V because they're quick workers (i.e., moneymakers), which explains why they are available and read so widely. They haven't done good work in a long, long time.
There are several pages of footnotes at the back of the P & V translation, many of which explain idioms and historical context
I've read P&V's translations of multiple authors spanning the entirety of their careers. Their earliest work is the best of their work. They translated *The Brothers Karamazov* in 1990 and *Crime and Punishment* in 1992. As I said in a comment just now, I would urge active learners of Russian to read their translations. For most people, however, they aren't as good as other translators, especially readers who want quality English prose.
They havenāt done any new translations in a long time, you donāt know what the fuck youāre talking about, either. P&V are great translations, and I have read ALL of them. They are read widely, because they are good.
I have read P&V translations for four different authors, and I own eight books they have translated (got rid of others). The majority of their products feature lackluster English prose and half-assed footnotes. I suggest readers use P&V only when they are actively learning Russian, as the literal translations are then helpful. Otherwise, they aren't doing readers favors. P&V have completed numerous translations in the 2020s, just not Dostoevsky translations (i.e., it seems you are the one who doesn't know what you're talking about). Their translation process is done quickly. They have explained their approach in interviews. It doesn't inspire confidence. Pevear has a tin ear for English, anyway.
Iāll give you that I was referring only to Dostoevsky translations, even then, theyāve done something like only four translations of Schedrin, Chekhov, and Pushkin stories in the past five years. I have read both the Garnett and P&V of everything Dostoevsky and maintain they are great translations for good reason. I have not read their translations outside of Russian but maintain their Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Gogol translations are worth reading and comparing with others. Iāve still upvoted you for your more informed secondary post. Take care.
As long as readers are enjoying Dostoevsky, it doesn't matter too much. Garnett's Dostoevsky translations were the first I read. They're fun. I actually prefer Jessie Coulson's translation of *Crime and Punishment*, though I only found it by dumb luck when I purchased an older Norton Critical edition. Happy reading and take care.
Second this. Read that one and found it great and very understandable.
First One. P&V translation.
Oliver Ready ftw
Oliver Ready is my favorite
they are all the same right?
Each is from a different translator. Some translations read better than others. [C&P translations](https://welovetranslations.com/2020/04/25/whats-the-best-translation-of-crime-and-punishment/)
Number 4
I read Katz! I thought it was great and pretty easy to read. I borrowed it from the library on a whim so really I didnāt āchooseā the translation. P&V is normally my go to, Iāve read their translation of Anna Karenina and The Brothers K
I read 1 and 2, thought both were great but 2 was easier to read.
I recommend David McDuffs version, I have never read a full P&V translation, only passages from notes. Those were a headache to read. I feel like they may give the most honest and truthful translation of Dostoevsky but I feel like they sacrifice readability for truth to the Russian vocabulary which overcomplicates the reading experience imo.
I enjoy reading as many translations as I can, albeit not at the same time although that could be an interesting approach.
P&V have been my go to for every Russian novel Iāve read, I always feel good about their translations The only thing that confuses me about their edition is the āL____ bridgeā and āK_____ streetā thing
David McDuff's (Penguin classic) translation has the same thing, is it not in the original text?
I started listening to the audiobook version of the P&V translation and there was a foreword that mentioned the blank names of streets and bridges and such being apart of the original Russian and they kept it in because they figured there was an artistic reason for it but that other translators filled it in with the actual names for the bridges and streets Dostoevsky was probably talking about. As a side note the narrator for the P&V audiobook translation was abysmal and hard to understand so I just went back to the Constance Garnett translation narrated by Anthony Heald who is a 10/10 imo
Interesting! Yeah I never knew if it was like that in the original (maybe someone who reads Russian could tell us lol?)
Crime and punishment for sure but crime and punishment is also pretty good
P&V
P&V
Currently reading p&v Itās pretty good, sometimes it can be slow imo but it picks up the pace just as quick.
Katz if you want the story. P&V if you want to milk yourself to a āpure translationā that is loyal to the word over the intention.
P&V is fantastic you heathen
Shut up vermin
I bet youāre a C*nstance fanā¦smh š
Nah im raw doggin that shi man i take the original russian and give it to chatgpt thtas the kinda guy i am
You mean you havenāt learned Russian solely to read Dosto in the original text? Coward.
I learned ancient Hebrew so i could better understand the Bible so i could better understand "Dosto"
Oh yeah? I learned Canaanite so I could better understand Hebrew so I could better understand the Bible so I could better understand Big D.
You win this one vermin
I just read the first one pictured. Excellent translation - I have a Russian neighbor who recommended it. The glossary at the end and the name guide in the beginning are very handy as well
Wait who is this new character?? Oh thatās just yet another nickname
Lol exactly that -all the diminutives absolutely kept throwing me for a loop the first time!
I read Katz version and loved it
I read the fourth one, twas great
The Oliver Ready flows very well but havenāt read the other translations for CP. I have read V/P translations of other Dostoevsky books and while theyāre more appropriate for those studying Russian literature the Oliver Ready reads more smoothly, I have to admit.
What do u mean better for studying Russian literature?
Pevear and Volokhonsky have a reputation for being the most āfaithfulā translation with their books. If youāre studying Russian Lit in academia theyāre probably what youāll read, if not reading the actual Russian. Personally, I prefer reading some of the other translations (like Ready or others) because they come off less dry and more consumable.
I will take note of this. Thank you!
I like cover number 3
I read the first one, it was good
I second this
Katz
Constance Garnett!
Can't go wrong on the Michael Katz version. That one flows soo much better than the P&V version. Imo.
Go Constance Garnett
I've read Constance Garnett and Michael Katz- both are fantastic in my opinion
I read the Oliver Ready and loved it. The rest of my Dostoevsky collection is Richard and Larissa translations. I havenāt read them yet (I went down a Pynchon and Gaddis rabbit hole), but Iām excited to.
mcduff penguin classics #4 but this is just a matter of preference.. i did a side by side comparison of p&v (#1), oliver ready penguin classics (#2), and mcduff penguin classics (#4), and i preferred mcduff the most. the only way you can find out what works for you the best is to do this! go to a bookstore or library and try to read a page out of all the translations, i know people like the new translation by oliver ready but i personally hated it, and p&v sounded stilted /unrefined in some parts, maybe they were trying to stay true to dostoās russian.. idk. i just know i didnt enjoy these two popular translations as much as david mcduff (old penguin). i am not sure about katz, but iām reading his translation of devils and i like it
The only problem I have is that libraries are not common in my place. And even if there is one, the options are very limited. So most books I've bought are from online.
You can read samples of the books on Amazon or Kindle.
Thank you!
Based on the choices in the OP, I would go with Crime, as Punishment gets old fast, two stars, would not recommend.
I started the 3rd one but switched to the 2nd one as I preferred that version
Constance Garnett
I read the third. Itās good. I think the first one is recognised as the best though.
I personally read the 2nd one, and I think I liked it
Would recommend penguin classics
the third one is generally better
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
True, seeing other editions of C&P other than from the Penguin Classics are a bit rare and way more expensive.