HollyinNNV
06-25-2008, 10:17 PM
I went to the bookstore with the goal of picking out some of the books for my lit class. Many of the books we are reading can be found for free online. However, I was mainly looking at books which require a translator. I had my list with notes from this board so that I wouldn't forget what everyone likes. So thanks to you guys, I could sit down with just a few of each work.
Which editions I chose really doesn't matter so much. But, I wanted to share that I really could see a difference between the translations! (I wasn't sure that I would be able to.) I sat with all three editions and read through and compared line by line. If you are unsure about editions, and live near a big bookstore, I highly recommend doing this yourself.
Unfortunately, I don't have the background to pick based on what sounds more Virgilistic :001_smile:. However, I really wanted to pick translations that would appeal to my students.
I picked Fagles for both The Three Theban Plays and Aeneid. I picked Esolen's Inferno. I liked the Esolen because it includes some helpful notes before each canto and throughout the edition and also has a few illustrations. It also includes a substantial appendix with a large notes section at the end.
After reading bits of the works above I feel much better about them than the Faerie Queene.:001_huh: I did purchase it, but I am a bit concerned. It is quite long and quite dense. I did find an interesting website which includes questions and notes for while you are reading.
http://cla.calpoly.edu/~dschwart/engl331/fq.html
I know many of you recommended the Canon Press book which includes a portion of the FQ. I read the sample and just didn't like it. Sorry:blushing: Now, reading the actual FQ, I wish that I liked it.:scared:
Anyways, just wanted to share my experience and say thanks for all of the great advice on this board!
Holly
Which editions I chose really doesn't matter so much. But, I wanted to share that I really could see a difference between the translations! (I wasn't sure that I would be able to.) I sat with all three editions and read through and compared line by line. If you are unsure about editions, and live near a big bookstore, I highly recommend doing this yourself.
Unfortunately, I don't have the background to pick based on what sounds more Virgilistic :001_smile:. However, I really wanted to pick translations that would appeal to my students.
I picked Fagles for both The Three Theban Plays and Aeneid. I picked Esolen's Inferno. I liked the Esolen because it includes some helpful notes before each canto and throughout the edition and also has a few illustrations. It also includes a substantial appendix with a large notes section at the end.
After reading bits of the works above I feel much better about them than the Faerie Queene.:001_huh: I did purchase it, but I am a bit concerned. It is quite long and quite dense. I did find an interesting website which includes questions and notes for while you are reading.
http://cla.calpoly.edu/~dschwart/engl331/fq.html
I know many of you recommended the Canon Press book which includes a portion of the FQ. I read the sample and just didn't like it. Sorry:blushing: Now, reading the actual FQ, I wish that I liked it.:scared:
Anyways, just wanted to share my experience and say thanks for all of the great advice on this board!
Holly