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1abirdsall First Message
I just finished reading Crime and Punishment for the first time, and I found the translation pretty uninspired. But, even after digging through the front and back matter of the book, I can't for the life of me find who the translator was. Would anyone happen to know who the translator is for the "Enriched Classic" Pocket Books edition of Crime and Punishment? (It's the cheap-o mass market version that shows up as the first result on Amazon) Am I right in thinking that it detracts from the experience of reading the novel?
Alternatively, does anyone have a recommended translation of Crime and Punishment?
Alternatively, does anyone have a recommended translation of Crime and Punishment?
2cabegley
I haven't read their translation yet, but Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky are widely respected translators who seem to be working their way through the major Russian novels. Crime and Punishment was one of their earlier translations. I read their translation of The Brothers Karamazov, and it was excellent.
3Jargoneer
I can highly recommend the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation. They seem to be a safe bet re the Russian classics but then favourite translations are a personal taste.
The translator of the Pocket Books edition is David McDuff, it's actually quite a recent translation, circa 1990/1, and was the translation used by Penguin until the P&V edition superceded it.
The translator of the Pocket Books edition is David McDuff, it's actually quite a recent translation, circa 1990/1, and was the translation used by Penguin until the P&V edition superceded it.
5Existanai
Sorry, but I'm pretty sure jargoneer is mistaken. David McDuff is a highly respected translator whose translations are still available in Penguin editions and from other literary presses. His translation of "Crime and Punishment" has not been superceded, it is in print and simply available side by side with others.
I am not sure who the translator of the Enriched Classics edition is. However, it is highly unlikely that the McDuff translation (commissioned by Penguin, who are the copyright owners) found its way into the cheap editions by Pocket publishers. Budget publishers usually revise or just print old translations easily bought or no longer under copyright.
Edited: apostrophe.
I am not sure who the translator of the Enriched Classics edition is. However, it is highly unlikely that the McDuff translation (commissioned by Penguin, who are the copyright owners) found its way into the cheap editions by Pocket publishers. Budget publishers usually revise or just print old translations easily bought or no longer under copyright.
Edited: apostrophe.

