Eugene Onegin: A Novel in Verse [Paperback]

 

 

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Nabokov's criticism of Arndt's translation is sometimes cited as evidence of Johnston's or Falen's version being superior to it. This is a misunderstanding: the thrust of Nabokov's arguments is in fact directed at any form-preserving translation of 'Onegin', and the only reason his wrath was not unleashed against later attempts at it is that Nabokov died in 1977 - the year Johnston's version was first published. It is true that the authors of more recent translations of 'Onegin' benefited form access to Nabokov's literalistic rendering (which makes a very useful crib but cannot possibly be recommended to lay readers of poetry) and his painstakingly detailed commentary - but so did Arndt when he revised his translation in 1981.

Form-preserving translations inevitably involve what Nabokov derisively called "arty paraphrase", and a common argument against such translations goes along the lines of "I prefer to know what the poet meant". The problem with this position is that Pushkin meant to create a work of art based on harmonious interplay between the sense conveyed by the words and the music of iambic tetrameters arranged in exquisitely rhymed stanzas. Approximating this interplay in English is a formidable challenge, but it is the only way to get anywhere near the intention of Pushkin. If some readers would rather enjoy the most precise English equivalents of his words, preferably placed in the same order as in the original (where this order, and even the words themselves, were often chosen for the sake of the metre and rhyme that have vanished in the literal translation) - well, that is their choice. Arndt dismissed translations of this type as "sad ritual murder performed for the purposes of an ever more insatiable lexical necrophilia".

As many as eight form-preserving translations of 'Onegin' can be found on Amazon: see my list "Form-preserving translations of 'Eugene Onegin', 1881-2008". Having given a try to five of them, I think that it is only natural that different readers may prefer different versions. For what it is worth, Arndt's translation turned out to the only one that I wanted to continue reading after a few pages (I know much of the original by heart). His text flows almost effortlessly, his rhymes seldom feel forced, and he manages to put across some of the stylistic brilliance and sheer magic of Pushkin's writing. Arndt is also particularly good at translating passages that involve complex emotions or subtle humour, of which there are plenty in this book.

Some readers are attracted by the contemporary vocabulary and idiom of the translations of 'Onegin' made in the XXI century, and this is as good a reason as any to prefer one translation to another. However, bearing in mind that rhymed metrical verse is inevitably perceived as archaic by today's Anglophone readers, and that the language of the original feels somewhat old-fashioned to today's speakers of Russian, it is not at all clear whether rendering 'Onegin' (written by a contemporary of Byron) in modern parlance has much artistic credibility. The language of Arndt sounds more fitting to me.

Overall, my recommendation would be to read at least two translations of this outstanding work of literature and to choose Arndt's classical version as one of them.

Nearly every Russian sees Pushkin as their country's greatest writer. This perception, however, is not shared by many foreigners. The problem, of course, is translation. Pushkin's verse is supremely elegant, witty and musical. Few, if any, great poets are harder to translate.

Charles Johnston's version is not at all bad, and conveys much of Pushkin's wit - though not his lyricism. James Falen's version (Oxford World's Classics) is better still. And Stanley Mitchells's version of the first chapter, published in the journal "Modern Poetry in Translation" vol 11, is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. This journal is well worth seeking out in libraries!

When Russians ask you who your favorite poet is they will often add a "Besides Pushkin, of course." Pushkin has an iconic status in Russia that is maybe unparalleled in the English speaking world. Shakespeare probably comes the closest. Eugene Onegin is a masterpiece and the genius of it's creator is apparent. It is alwasy difficult, however, to read poetry in translation. Others have spoken of the translation difficulties already. As a non-Russian speaker, I won't comment on them except to say that, at some points, the difficulties encountered in translation are obvious and frustrating. Professors have told me, however, that this translation is about as good as they come. Like any other work of genius, Eugen Onegin needs a careful reading. Each layer, and there are many, proves more rewarding then the next. Pushkin is often funny, passionate and has a pretty keen sense of satire. I would advise everybody to read this. Pushkin is doubly important as background to Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy. He began the Russian literary tradition.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great Russian Poetry
Eugene Onegin is a masterpiece. It is supposedly the precursor to the great 19th century Russian novels, and this is plain to see. Onegin prefigures the 'superfluous man'. Read more

Published on Jun 29 2000 by Radcliffe Camera

4.0 out of 5 stars Best Translation of an Untranslatable Book
Eugene Onegin is, simply put, a marlevous and unforgettable book. It is also probably the single most-difficult-to-translate book in any language. Read more

Published on April 25 2000 by KS

5.0 out of 5 stars It Can't Be Translated
Eugene Onegin has to be read in Russian -- it is poetry: music and intelligence. It is graceful, beautiful, noble, sarcastic AND very funny -- it feels like Pushkin's spirit. Read more

Published on Mar 9 2000 by Laura

5.0 out of 5 stars A TRUE MASTERPIECE!
Pushkin is my favorite poet. He was extremely talanted. Eugene Onegin is the best poem he written. I am from Russia and have read this poem over 100 times. Read more

Published on Oct 13 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars No good English translations!
Pushkin is a wonderful poet, and my favorite (I'm Russian). This book is wonderful, and I recommend it fully. However... Read more

Published on Oct 2 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars don't be intimidated by idea of novel in verse
I am not a poetry lover but I found this book to be delightful. It can be appreciated simply as a good read. Read more

Published on May 30 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the best novel ever written
This novel is so intense that once you start reading it, you have to finish it. It is so intense, it just grabs you by the throat. Read more

Published on Oct 3 1997 by Jimaxy@aol.com

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