Don Quixote - The New Translation

tomwhite56 · Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:54 pm

By all accounts the new translation of Don Quixote by Edith Goodman is a work of wonder. I never was able to get through my reading of what I now understand to be the fountainhead of all classics, and the first true novel, perhaps because the translation was less than desirable, or perhaps I was just not ready for the book. As a newbie I hardly concsider myself qualified to lead the discussion, but I would be eager to join in.

Saffron · Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:03 pm

I am definitely interested in reading along. I am going to see if my library has this edition. Any just gotta toss this in --

The Tale of Genji - the 11th Century Japanese classic written by a Heian court lady known as Murasaki Shikibu. It is generally considered to be the world's first true novel, and was certainly the first psychological novel ever written.

Suzanne · Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:11 pm

Fantastic suggestion tomwhite56! I'll also try to get it, would love to read along with you guys.

bleachededen · Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:15 pm

Oh my various gods, there's an easier to read Don Quixote!?! I must have it!
Don Quixote is one of my favorite stories, and yet I can barely get through the first chapter because of the way it is written. It even has a musical based on it, which is fabulous, and makes me want to read it even more, and all the more frustrated that I hate the writing style.

I often wish I could understand every language so that I could read books as they were originally intended to be read. But now I can finally read Don Quixote! You've made me a very happy girl!

bleachededen · Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:16 pm


	tomwhite56 wrote: By all accounts the new translation of Don Quixote by Edith Goodman is a work of wonder. I never was able to get through my reading of what I now understand to be the fountainhead of all classics, and the first true novel, perhaps because the translation was less than desirable, or perhaps I was just not ready for the book. As a newbie I hardly concsider myself qualified to lead the discussion, but I would be eager to join in.

Do you mean Edith Grossman? That's what I'm finding on Amazon.

Saffron · Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:22 pm

My library has the book! It is already on it's way to me. I should have it in a few days.

justareader · Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:35 pm

"Don Quijote soy, y mi profesión la de caballero andante. Son mis leyes, el desfacer entuertos, prodigar el bien y evitar el mal. Fuyo de la vida regalada, de la ambición y la hipocresía, y busco para mi propia gloria la senda más angosta y difícil. ¿Es eso, de tonto y mentecato?".

Don Quijote y yo hablamos la misma lengua. Si vosotros quereís yo podría coordinar la discusión, mis apreciados y respetados amigos.

Justareader

bleachededen · Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:58 pm


	justareader wrote: "Don Quijote soy, y mi profesión la de caballero andante. Son mis leyes, el desfacer entuertos, prodigar el bien y evitar el mal. Fuyo de la vida regalada, de la ambición y la hipocresía, y busco para mi propia gloria la senda más angosta y difícil. ¿Es eso, de tonto y mentecato?". Don Quijote y yo hablamos la misma lengua. Si vosotros quereís yo podría coordinar la discusión, mis apreciados y respetados amigos. Justareader

No fair! You didn't translate! My mind just exploded. Why did I take French instead of Spanish?! :shock:

Suzanne · Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:57 am


	bleachededen wrote: Do you mean Edith Grossman?

This is what I'm finding too, with an intro by Harold Bloom. Is this the correct book? My library has it as well, I'll pick it up tomorrow. I'm still working on "War and Peace", these two books should make for an interesting combination. :shock:

If we have enough interested participants, we may want to add it as an additional fiction discussion selection.


	tomwhite56 wrote: As a newbie I hardly consider myself qualified to lead the discussion,

You are not a newbie to reading are you? We do require all discussion leaders to face a panel of experts, and you are required to provide your credentials which will be carefully scrutinized before you can be selected as discussion leader.

Just kidding! Volunteers are always welcome, and greatly appreciated

bleachededen · Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:30 am

Suzanne wrote:


	bleachededen wrote: Do you mean Edith Grossman?

This is what I'm finding too, with an intro by Harold Bloom.

Oh, Harold Bloom. He and I are not friends. I like some of his ideas about the "anxiety of influence," but his writing comes off as pompous and annoying (somewhat sexist at times, too). But I suppose he's not as bad as T.S. Eliot. That guy drives me nuts!

(somebody didn't like their literary criticism class :-P

)

Suzanne · Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:51 am

You're hysterical bleachededen, I hope you stick around for a long time. I really do enjoy your posts.

bleachededen · Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:18 am

Thank you.

I like it here. I'm sure I'll be staying.

Robert Tulip · Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:40 am


	justareader wrote: "Don Quijote soy, y mi profesión la de caballero andante. Son mis leyes, el desfacer entuertos, prodigar el bien y evitar el mal. Fuyo de la vida regalada, de la ambición y la hipocresía, y busco para mi propia gloria la senda más angosta y difícil. ¿Es eso, de tonto y mentecato?". Don Quijote y yo hablamos la misma lengua. Si vosotros quereís yo podría coordinar la discusión, mis apreciados y respetados amigos. Justareader

Translation from http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt


	Quote: " Don Quixote I am, and my profession the one of horseman andante. They are my laws, desfacer entuertos, lavishing the good and to avoid the evil. The Fuyo of the given life, the ambition and hypocrisy, and I look for my own glory the narrowest and difficult footpath. He is that, of idiot and mentecato? ". Don Quixote and I spoke the same language. If you quereís I could coordinate the discussion, my appreciated and respected friendly

Does Donkey Hote translate as a pun?

DWill · Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:12 am

bleachededen wrote:

Suzanne wrote:


	bleachededen wrote: Do you mean Edith Grossman?

This is what I'm finding too, with an intro by Harold Bloom.

Oh, Harold Bloom. He and I are not friends. I like some of his ideas about the "anxiety of influence," but his writing comes off as pompous and annoying (somewhat sexist at times, too). But I suppose he's not as bad as T.S. Eliot. That guy drives me nuts!

(somebody didn't like their literary criticism class :-P

)

One of the little useless things I remember is that ee cummings referred to Eliot as "tears eliot." Will you be shutting your eyes when the march of poems comes to Prufrock and The Wasteland?

As this thread is about Don Quixote, and as I have started to reread my old Penguin, I have the idea to keep reading my edition and see whether what others say will indicate significant differences. The translator of the Penguin (1950) is J. M. Cohen. He says that his is modern, unstilted, and faithful to Cervantes.

tomwhite56 · Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:31 am

bleachededen wrote:


	tomwhite56 wrote: By all accounts the new translation of Don Quixote by Edith Goodman is a work of wonder. I never was able to get through my reading of what I now understand to be the fountainhead of all classics, and the first true novel, perhaps because the translation was less than desirable, or perhaps I was just not ready for the book. As a newbie I hardly concsider myself qualified to lead the discussion, but I would be eager to join in.

Do you mean Edith Grossman? That's what I'm finding on Amazon.

Heh heh...I said "Goodman". Grossman is of course correct. :roll:

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