Verses and Versions: Three Centuries of Russian Poetry Selected and Translated by |
|
|
|
|
This book is also available, brand-new, from 3rd-party marketplace sellers at Amazon.com, from $9.50.
|
The HTML code below can be pasted onto your web-site, your MySpace page, or blog - or any number of similar places - to create a link to this page:
If, instead of a text link, you'd like to create a link to this page which will display the book cover, if it's available, then the code below will do exactly that:
Check for the same book at these other US book sites:
• [ Abebooks ]
• [ Alibris ]
• [ Barnes & Noble ]
• [ Half.com ]
• [ Powells ]
… or check UK bookstores
|
Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
Vladimir Nabokov was hailed by Salman Rushdie as the most important writer ever to cross the boundary between one language and another. A Russian émigré who began writing in English after his forties, Nabokov was a trilingual author, equally competent in Russian, English, and French. A gifted and tireless translator, he bridged the gap between languages nimbly and joyously. Here, collected for the first time in one volume as Nabokov always wished, are many of his English translations of Russian verse, presented next to the Russian originals. Here, also, are some of his notes on the dangers and thrills of translation. With an introduction by Brian Boyd, author of the prize-winning biography of Nabokov, Verses and Versions is a momentous and authoritative contribution to Nabokov's published works.
|
Other Items You May Enjoy:
Browse Books From These Related Subjects:
Customer Reviews:
• Fantastic!
31 March, 2009
This is a book to savor. Nabokov explains the intracacies of translation that is sensitive to both languages, and cites several examples. What a fascinating mind! The poems are enchanting, heartbreaking and compelling. Pushkin in particular stays with you and calls you back for another reading. Most of all, these poems are meant to be read out loud.
- Amazon Customer Review
• V Is For Victory
05 January, 2009
An eloquent book that should be in the library of any person interested in Russian poetry, Vladimir Nabokov and/or the difficult art of translation.
Professors Brian Boyd and Stanislav Shvabrin have performed a notable service in organizing and bringing this fine collection to print.
I am not knowledgeable about the subject poems (or the Russian language) so can not judge for certain if Mr. Nabokov's translations to English are the best. But, I would wager they are.
Please also consider reading this great intellect's memoir "Speak, Memory."
As Mr. Nabokov said of a long dead Russian poet, "... all is finished now: the bequeathed gold shines on a shelf in full view of the future..."
- Amazon Customer Review
• A Great Book With The Russian On The Opposite Page.
26 August, 2009
How I wish I knew Russian.
Thirty years in the writing, includes an interesting range of translation from the use of rhyme to producing the bare bones without rhyme. Includes drama, especially Pushkin and biographies of poets unknown before.
This was recommended by a cellist at Chamber Music Northwest.
A beautiful book with style and grace with a translator who knows both languages intimately.
- Amazon Customer Review
• Indispensable
19 February, 2009
It is not enough that Vladimir Nabokov was one of the most gifted and prolific prose
stylists of the 20th century, that he was a supremely talented chess player and a
recognized expert in lepidoptery. He also was an outstanding translator of poetry
and prose, his sensual multi-linguality an endless source of admiration and envy.
This collection of Nabokov's translations of Russian poetic masterpieces into
English was a half-century in the making, pursued and put off multiple times during
the writer's lifetime. It is finally published here with editing by Brian Boyd and
Stanislav Shvabrin, with additional Nabokovian texts of criticism and, most
notably, with Nabokov's influential (and, for some, infuriating) ruminations on the
art of translation. As an introduction to the crowning heights of Russian verse, this
work is invaluable. As a testimony to Vladimir Nabokov's skill as a translator
and literary critic it is indispensable.
As reviewed in Russian Life.
- Amazon Customer Review
• Between Fromish And Toish
15 December, 2009
Another posthumous publication of Nabokov texts, like The Original of Laura? Not quite. More a recycling of previously published material, re-arranged and combined with `new' texts, ie previously unpublished translations.
The main sources and core for this book are Nab's book Three Russian Poets on and with texts by Pushkin, Tyutchev and Lermontov, and his monumental commentary on Pushkin's Eugene Onegin.
Another skimming of the market for Nabokov collectables? Yes and no.
Yes, as we have to some extent the same avaricious system of empty pages or half printed pages as with the Original of Laura, ie the actual book is much shorter than the one that you buy. 20% empty space.
This is aggravated by the fact that the left pages in all actual poetry parts (as differentiated from the introductions and essays) are the Russian originals. I am sure many people appreciate this service. On me it is wasted. I always wanted to learn Russian when I turn 60. Well, one can't reach all one's targets.
No, as the book is `genuine': it had been a project of Vera's since some time, to publish her husband's Russian poetry translations, collected. She didn't manage to do it, the project was left to biographer Brian Boyd and son Dimitri.
We have here an anthology of Russian poetry in Nab's translation. Or at least it comes close to an anthology by scraping together a few poets and their poems and Nab's translations. I am not expert enough to judge the selection. It is obvious though that the `anthology' is heavy on Pushkin. That takes away some of the balance, however it may be explained or justified. The other two of the trio (Lermontov and Tyutchev) are also strongly represented.
Many other older poets are represented with miniature texts. Some of the great 20th century names (Blok, Mandelshtam and some others) are represented with small selections.
For me personally, Lermontov is most accessible.
I would say: for an anthology, one might have wished a broader and more balanced overview.
A charming add-on: Nab's notes for the sleeve of a record that son Dimitri recorded, with Russian songs, in the early 70s.
I am only expert enough to say that I like Nab's short essays (the portraits of the poets are mostly taken from the Onegin commentary volume, or from the TRP book), which are inserted here, and I enjoy some of the translations. I also enjoy his thoughts about translating.
As I am neutral on the originals of the poems, the average rating would be something like a 3 to 4 stars. My overall verdict: a must for Nabokovniks, a superfluous door stopper for others.
Life? A romance.
By whom? Anonymous.
- Amazon Customer Review
|
