The World's Literature in Europe discussion

please , what is " A December, Day-by-Day Literary Calendar" and how do we choose year's books ?

Nile daughter wrote: "please, what is " A December, Day-by-Day Literary Calendar" and how do we choose year's books ?"

The calendar is part of the process to find titles for reading. I recently added which of the titles already listed is available in ebook (Kindle). I'll send a poll with some options for January as well as an add-a-title space.

I have a question as well--and this may have been covered elsewhere, but I didn't see it anywhere immediately obvious on first glance. So:

How do we handle books when there are multiple English translations available? Is there usually one that is particularly recommended, or do we just go with whichever one sounds best to us, or is the cheapest, or that our library has available? I'm curious because sometimes there can be fairly large differences between one translation and another--though it could be interesting to compare, if not everybody ends up reading the same edition...

I guess I'm just wondering if there's a group policy on that.

Warnie B. wrote: "I have a question as well--and this may have been covered elsewhere, but I didn't see it anywhere immediately obvious on first glance. So:

How do we handle books when there are multiple English tr..."

When I was researching Amazon, Goodreads, and elsewhere, the point you mention about the translations boiled down to the Lanaguage. The choices among editions tended toward hardcover, paper, kindle, and language. If and when we read "The Tale of Genji", discussion about the edition will merit attention. In the past, I have welcomed diversity. Readers can read the book in Polish, Japanese, Swahili, etc. I would like to participate with you when the time comes in comment about the translation to read. I appreciate that you bring up the point. thks.

Definitely! I started thinking about this when I was looking for a copy of Tales of Moonlight and Rain--there seems to be a 1972 English translation by Leon Zolbrod as well as a much more recent translation by Anthony Chambers, so I wondered how folks in the group go about deciding between two or more translations in the same language. Guess it will be interesting to talk about when the time comes!

Warnie B. wrote: "Definitely! I started thinking about this when I was looking for a copy of Tales of Moonlight and Rain--there seems to be a 1972 English translation by Leon Zolbrod as well as a much more recent tr..."

For "Tales of Moonlight and Rain", I think that the edition by Anthony Chambers (2008) is the better because I am looking at cost and availability. I would go with an edition by Leon Zolbrod but it seems Chambers meets the criteria. Let me know, Warnie B., if you agree or if you think Zolbrod will do. "Tales...was published in 1776 and has stood the test of time.

For "Kokoro", Penguin uses a translation by Meredith McKinney (2010) for Kindle and paperback.

I just read the introduction to the Chambers translation online. It seems that Chambers has tried to make his translation sound as complex as it does in the original Japanese, whereas Zolbrod seems to have gone with a more simplified translation. I've been able to find copies of the Zolbrod for a lot cheaper than I have for the Chambers version, but the Chambers version is definitely more widely available and sounds like it's closer to the original, so yeah, I think that's probably a better bet.

Warnie B. wrote: "I just read the introduction to the Chambers translation online. It seems that Chambers has tried to make his translation sound as complex as it does in the original Japanese, whereas Zolbrod seems..."

Thank you for the research, Warnie B. I read the introduction that you mention. From what I read I feel that Tales of Moonlight and Rain is a masterpiece. And, reviewers tend to like the translation done by Chambers. I appreciate that Lindu recommended the book and that you inquired into the translations.

Tales of Moonlight And Rain: A Study And Translation by Anthony H. Chambers sounds like a fascinating book! There are so many written works going way back in time from Japan. These were definitely not covered in my education as Western works tended to be a bit overemphasized. We need a broad spectrum of literature, don't you think?

Asmah wrote: "The calendar is part of the process to find titles for reading. I recently added which of the titles already listed is available in ebook (Kindle). I'll send a poll with some options for January as well as an add-a-title space...."

This is late , but thanks Asmah :)

Haaze wrote: "Tales of Moonlight And Rain: A Study And Translation by Anthony H. Chambers sounds like a fascinating book! There are so many written works going way back in time from Japan. These we..."

I agree, Haaze, and remember the era when studies about the West prevailed in the curriculum. With access to translations, travel, publishing, and broadcasting, the possibilities for contact among cultures increased since then.

Nile daughter wrote: "This is late , but thanks Asmah :) ..."

You can ask a question or make a suggestion whenever you would like to do so, Nile daughter. I need inspiration from time to time :)

Asmah--i'm having trouble remembering if Japan is the only featured country, or if we will also be reading from India.

Marieke, 2012 is all Japanese literature, author or setting. The scope of Japanese authors is so great, we have a lot of classic tales and contemporary novels and stories to read and consider.

In 2013, we could re-begin the 3-part cycle in the Middle East or Africa. Since, we're re-beginning the cycle in that year, a country in Asia/Australia like India or in Central/North America (we did South America), if members preferred one of those, is possible. Do you remember the longitudinal sectioning of the globe into three parts?

I gather you are pro-Indian literature!
:)

Ha! I'm simply pro-literature. :)

I read a lot of Japanese literature in college and have always wanted to get back to it. I'm pretty excited about this year. But I would be equally excited if we were also reading from India. :)

I just couldn't remember the plan...

Maybe I missed it in another thread, but do we have any plans for reads for June through December?

Pellerin wrote: "Maybe I missed it in another thread, but do we have any plans for reads for June through December?"

Pellerin, the poll wasn't yet made. There are a whole lot of Suggestions generated earlier.

Thanks Asmah; I always seem to be reading something else when the group reads come up so I thought I'd try and get a heads up for the rest of the year :)