Eva's Introduction
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Bonjour mes amis! Sorry-I just couldn't resist. :) I'm very excited about this reading group, because Les Mis is one of the few books that really scares me. That's because I tried reading it in high school, since I loved the musical (I saw it in London, and after that I listened to the soundtrack so much that to do this day I know all the words to all the songs) and gave up about three hundred pages in. So I was happy to have some support!
I'm pleased to say I've finally opened the book, and I'm really liking it so far. I think before I must've been reading a different translation that wasn't as good, since I remember the language as very stilted. This time I researched and found that the Signet edition was the most recommended, and so far the language is straightforward and quite quick!
I'm sure I'm behind most of you, since I just finished the first book (page 59 in the Signet), but I plan to catch up soon now that it's not intimidating me. :)
I'm pleased to say I've finally opened the book, and I'm really liking it so far. I think before I must've been reading a different translation that wasn't as good, since I remember the language as very stilted. This time I researched and found that the Signet edition was the most recommended, and so far the language is straightforward and quite quick!
I'm sure I'm behind most of you, since I just finished the first book (page 59 in the Signet), but I plan to catch up soon now that it's not intimidating me. :)
Labels: Eva
3 Comments:
Eva, who is the translator of the Signet edition? I picked up the only one my library had on hand which is a Penguin edition translated by Norman Denny. It seems very readable, but I know quality of translation makes a huge difference to the reading experience and I want to make sure that I have the best one before I get too far in.
commented by 
Kate S., April 1, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Kate S., April 1, 2008 at 3:19 PM
The Signet translators are Lee Fahnestock and Norman MacAfee based on the classic C.E. Wilbour translation.
Yep-Ashleigh got it! All I have to add is that apparently a lot of the English editions are abridged, so you'll want to be careful about that. The Signet is the only unabridged paperback. I was a little wary about getting a mass market edition of such a big book, but the type is actually quite big, so it's been easy to read so far. :)
