Questions About Petersburg

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Answered Questions (3)

I hope to god that there's an adequate English translation. What's the best version?

Malcolm About half way through the Ellsworth translation (I tried the double M version and wasn't so taken by it): this is pure joy: Konrad Bayer shaking hand…moreAbout half way through the Ellsworth translation (I tried the double M version and wasn't so taken by it): this is pure joy: Konrad Bayer shaking hands with Gogol! Can't recommend it highly enough. (less)

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I just started the Penguin Classics McDuff translation of Petersburg today and this is a very, very hard read so far. I've read Dostoevsky, Pasternak, and all the other great Russian writers and so far this novel is the hardest to get into. I am wondering if this is due to the translation and if so, what is the best translation of this work?

Steven Eldredge The McDuff is the best English translation. Petersburg is a very difficult book to read, even for Russian readers. It is, however, worth it.

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Is this a clean book could a young teen read this?

Andrew Cooper It is indeed clean enough for a young reader, but in addition to the text being incredibly dense it also includes countless references to Russian hist…moreIt is indeed clean enough for a young reader, but in addition to the text being incredibly dense it also includes countless references to Russian history and culture such that it isn't for the faint of heart readers. Not saying that a young teen wouldn't get into it, but it's much more dense than Dostoevsky or Tolstoy.

It's more questions of being up to the challenge than being "clean" enough for a young reader. It discouraged me often while reading it.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (2)

How to get an online copy of the book?

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Apparently, according to Updike in "Hugging The Shore", Nabokov rated this work third of "Greatest Prose Works of 20th Century" after Ulysses and Metamorphosis. I noticed the 3.6 rating which would suggest otherwise. Tempting, based on that alone but thought I would see what you brave readers thought. It is also possible (likely) that he read it in Russian rather than in translation. Let me know. Thanks.

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