Crime and Punishment: A New Translation

The novel itself, of course, has long been heralded as one of the best of the genre of great Russian novels and I would wholeheartedly concur. I can think of few pieces of literature of any genre that are as engrossing over so many pages.The real question here, it seems, is the translation. Is this one really worth the additional cost given that older translations are available for next to nothing?In a word, I think the answer is yes.While living in China for nine years, and not being fluent in the language, I came to have an acute appreciation of what fluency really meant. An AI translation program can sound fluent, but isn’t when it comes to communication beyond asking directions and ordering at a restaurant. Translation isn’t a digital process. Language is both a human convention and is contextual. It exists within a hierarchy of context that extends from the usage of symbols to the worldview on which the culture that uses the language was built.That is why so many translated books read as if they are, in fact, translated. They may be “true”, even “good” translations in the literal sense, but there is something lost in the author’s original message.This edition, on the other hand, reads as if it was originally written in English. That doesn’t mean it is “accurate,” of course, since the reader would have to be equally fluent in both languages—as they were used in their respective historical time periods—to make a definitive judgment. That it reads as if it was written in modern day English, however, makes the potential for accuracy seem both likely and, more importantly, a major accomplishment. It’s likely to be accurate because it reads like a great novel. And it’s an accomplishment because it allows the book to be the great novel it is to the contemporary English reader.One of the great challenges for native English speakers reading Russian literature—for me at least—is the complexity of Russian naming conventions. And while Katz clearly didn’t abandon them here, it would seem he has simplified them to the extent that the reader can at least keep track of the characters without a notepad. And he has provided a helpful key at the front of the book if you get stuck. (I used it. Not frequently, but it was nice to have it there.)All told an outstanding book and what is likely to be the new standard in translation for many years to come. If you haven’t read this masterpiece yet, now is the time to take the plunge.

If you don't read Russian, which I don't, reading this translation of Crime and Punishment by Professor Katz is the closest you can get to the essential novel for a non-Russian speaker. In the past, I read C & P twice in the 19th Century translation by Constance Garnett. Mrs. Garnett brought Russian literature to the English speaking world and deserves praise for this. However, while she was fast translator, she wasn't the best. Her translations are awkward and made all the characters speak the same. Prof Katz has a vast knowledge of the Russian language and of Russian history and culture. His translation of C & P reads very well and the characters each have their own distinctive way of speaking as Dostoyevsky wrote for them. I'm familiar with the plot and characters, but Katz modernizes the language without losing any of the essential Russian character of the novel. This translation was a joy to read.

The translation in this version was the best after doing my research. The book itself is a bit more 'advanced' and maybe a bit dry at first but when it picks up it is much better. Russian is not my native language so when I see names sometimes it's hard to retain the character image in my head. Still, all in all the book was a good psychological thriller. The guilt begins to consume the main character and at times difficult to differentiate when there is a drunken rant or the subconscious spirit speaking. Almost haunting. My teacher recommended this about 10 years ago and I never read it. Now, I am glad I did and it was for sure one that I enjoyed.

The story is a classic and should be on everyone's bookshelf. This particular print is wonderful because of the size of the book 6 x 9, ease of reading with well spaced and clear font, and matte finished cover. I wish i could get a copy of all my favorites in this style and manner.

This is a stubborn read. You're going deep into the mind and heart of a smart yet troubled young man. In the its completely worth the emotional effort.CD

As with most classics, it's not whether or not you should read it, but which translation? I recently re-read "Crime and Punishment" in the fairly new Katz translation and it seemed like an entirely new experience for me. As I don't read Russian, I can't comment on the accuracy of the translation, so what was most important to me was how it flowed, how it maintained interest, and the beauty of the language. Since my first read a long time ago, in the then-current Penguin version, I tried others, such as P&V, which I did not like at all. Their popularity may be due more to the marketing muscle of their publishers than to the merits of their work, I suspect. Anyway, I enjoyed Katz's version and would recommend it to anyone interested in this classic.

I had been laboring away through the original translation of this book when I discovered the existence of this newer and better one. Wow, did this improve the reading experience! Further, there is a handy list of all the characters' names in the front, which I printed out and kept with me as I read. Needless to say, I had to consult it many times.Also, the footnotes are actually at the FOOT of the page, which means fewer interruptions, and more reading enjoyment.I thoroughly enjoyed this story, even if I found some of the characters wanting, as the author surely intended. I plan to read more Dostoevsky, although not until I've had a chance to rest my brain for a few weeks with some less challenging literature. :-)