<p>Proust is exquisite but he lacks the strenth of Victor Hugo, I believe the best French writer ever was Victor Hugo, is Victor Hugo and always will be Victor Hugo.</p>
<p>The beauty of Proust's language is delightful, yet the power of Victor Hugo's writting is unparalleled.</p>
<p>Reading Victo Hugo in French isn't as tedious as reading Proust, at least for me. However, I feel that Hugo in French is less eloquent than it is in English--those translators really dress up the language! With Proust, I feel as if it's meant to be enjoyed in French, but the meaning is still just as strong in English.</p>
<p>That's why a great translator can make a difference. Reading Balzac in English is not so enjoyable, but in Chinese, my native language, is the most amazing experience ever. Fu Lei, the translator of all Balzac's work in Chinese, is a genius, you don't even think the books he translated were written in French.</p>
<p>Blood Meridian Or The Evening Redness In The West</p>
<p>Hi ! The first time I've posted a message here :)
Well , I am in complete agreement with some guys' standpoints above that it is not quite enthralling to read the translation of a book , even when it is translated by a brilliant translators ! :). When it is turned into our own language , we are no longer able to capture the exact meaning the author wants to convey us ( for example , the translation of the Davince code in my language is ... crappy and terrible :( . Even I can't afford to buy its English version , I promise not to make do with the translation < a little bit headstrong , huh :D > ). But it is just my personal experience , I am sure many other people can enjoy the translations ! </p>
<p>About my favorite book , until now I haven't had an opportunity to take a look at a lot of books but the greatest book so far for me is Gone with the wind . This is a real masterpiece , I can say that for it ! All characters make a lasting impression on me , but I believe you can make a guess who is the most impressive character ! Another book I enjoy is Pride and Prejudice - a little bit easy to read , right ? And The phantom of the Opera , I just can say that I am reading it :)</p>
<p>How did I know you were going to choose Gone with the Wind? ;)</p>
<p>I just started Anna Karenina last night. I tried when I was in freshman year and hated it, but now it's mildly interesting. I wish I could read it in original Russian though, some of the words are odd (ex. Stiva wants to buy 'a wood'). I haven't got up the courage to read Hesse yet...I would have to in German and I got an A- in the class last semester :(</p>
<p>I discovered Annie Dillard the other day. Anyone read An American Childhood? It's fantastic! I really love her poetic style.</p>
<p>@ Accirona : I am sorry but I don't really make out what you are asking me ? :). Do you ask me why I like Gone... best , huh ?</p>
<p>Haha. Yes, Rhett. Well, no. Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.</p>
<p>I used to love Hugo's writing when I was still in China (common origin with you, Fallinwater0328 :)) - I think I read all the Hugo novels I could find, but I did not read any after I came to the U.S. Perhaps because I'm waiting to read them in French. haha. </p>
<p>I disagree with the point about translators. After reading so many books in Chinese translation then quite a bit of them again in their original English, I'm more than convinced that even a great translation (Fu Lei's translations, for instance) cannot match the original. (And btw, the English translations of Chinese literature are total crap, despite what people might think)</p>
<p>A translation can perhaps stand on its own as an artwork (like Pope's translation of Homer), but it fades away with time, unfortunately, because translation as an artwork is at best second-handed, and as a pure translation it is no more than a tool of communication. I'm sure there is an art to translation, but translation cannot be an art that is end to itself. </p>
<p>I think a translator has two choice: either re-invent the book in another language, or faithfully follow the original. These two choices can never be compatible, never. The former is what makes a great translation, yet it defeats its own purpose by deviating from the original. I cannot help but being pessimistic about the true value of a translation. I have always respected the great translators - Montcrief, Fu Lei, Kaufmann, to name a few - because I know how hard this job can be after I tried myself :), but the best way is ALWAYS to read the original.</p>
<p>I just wish I know every language :(</p>
<p>Just to add, I think Madame Bovary may be one of the books that is literally the best in its original language--French. Flaubert's use of the passe simple is nuanced and magnificent.</p>
<p>tkm...I just finished Anna Karenina over Christmas break, and I found it much more bearable than I thought it would be! I read the Penguin translation; it was pretty decent.</p>
<p>More bearable than you thought it would be? Is this a joke? This is one of the the top 5 great works of literature, and the greatest love story ever told!</p>
<p>mmmm, a lot of my favorites have already been mentioned, but i've just got to list To Kill a Mockingbird... love love love love love that book :)</p>
<p>All-American Girl 1 and 2 by Meg Cabot
'Mediator' series by Meg Cabot
the harry potter series by J.K. Rowling
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Double Standards, Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught
The Chamber, The Testament, The Firm by John Grisham
A Bag of Bones by Stephen King</p>
<p>can anyone recommend a book to me?</p>
<p>"To kill a mockingbird" sounds enthralling , guys ! I will certainly take a lokk at it :). Let see whether you and me share the same opinion or not ;). Have anyone here read " Memoirs of a geisha " ? If you did , would you mind telling a little bit about its content , writing style and your opinions ! It has the reputation for one of the highest rated books in 2005 , which grips me a great deal ;) ( like The davince code :) )</p>
<p>I agree about Herman Hesse Fallinwater0328...Siddhartha has been one of my favorite books of all time. I love Gabriel Garcia Marquez (his books are so rich!), and i actually spend some time reading the Bible. Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol is a nonfiction book about children in the South Bronx...difficult but morally stimulating and very valuable. Obviously, Catcher in the Rye and Grapes of Wrath are classics. I'm a big fan of some of Shakespeare's plays (does that count?)...Macbeth is powerful and Midsummer Night's Dream has more dimensions that visible at first. LOTRs are great tales as well. And I must admit, I do read HP (my fave was the last one)</p>
<p>Yeah, Macbeth and Midsummer Night's Dream rock</p>
<p>To Kill A Mockingbird is certainly a great story.</p>
<p>I like Hermann Hesse a lot when I read him, but post-reading thinking after I read several of his books always made me wonder that he perhaps just wrote his ways of thinking (his personal philosphy?) in a very beautiful and touching way, but that's all of it. Reading Hesse is an artistic experience but I don't think I gain much spiritually. I prefer some realtime philsophy - Nietzsche, for example.</p>
<p>It appears that contemporary authors don't capture you guys' attention much :( ( of course there are a few exceptions ). Is it on account of their 's writing style or contents or anything else ? Let spare your thoughts about this question ;)</p>
<p>Uh , does anyone here love Gone with the wind ? This is undoubtedly a fabulous book ( its movie is exceptional too , reminds you that it won 8 Oscar awards :D ) . Anyone here like it, please voice . Perhaps you and me can share a lot of lovely things about this book. I am eager
" The scarlet letter " is brilliant . Nathaniel's writing is described as relatively detailed but The scarlette letter is a little bit hard to understand for me ( cuz E isn't my mother tounge :( ) . But re-reading it seems to be a good idea.</p>