Beowulf: A Prose Translation, Second Edition (Norton Critical Editions)
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Book Summary Information
Editor: Nicholas HoweTranslator: E. Talbot Donaldson
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2001-11
ISBN: 0393974065
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.
Book Reviews of Beowulf: A Prose Translation, Second Edition (Norton Critical Editions)
Book Review: Well, perhaps reading a poem as a poem would be better.
Summary: 3 Stars
After reading this version of Beowulf, I think it is a worthy translation, so I am not really criticizing the translation. I'm sure Donaldson's work is top notch. However, I did not enjoy the way the story read.
Some opinions about work done on Beowulf that I've read by Beowulf experts is that if you translate it in a prose form, so as to give a more exact meaning to the original, you really are defaulting to a sort of cop-out. It makes it appear that you really do not want to put the hard work in to make a great poetic translation. I'm not sure I agree with that assessment necessarily, but I understand the point.
Having read lines of Beowulf from Heaney's translation, and comparing it to Donaldson's translation, I can say that Heaney's (and probably other translators) brings so much more feeling to the poem. This may not mean much, but after only reading the opening lines about Shield Sheafson (spelled differently from Donaldson's), up to the point where it says "that was one good king," Heaney's version brings tears to my eyes, it is so moving.
There was not a single point in Donaldson's translation where I felt that moved. That may not mean anything for most, because reading is a very subjective experience, but for me, I will not likely read Donaldson's translation again for enjoyment, but will keep it around as a reference for comparison.
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