Last Christmas I asked for a copy of the Count of Monte Cristo and thought nothing of it. The issue of translation didn't even occur to me because I just wanted to read the book, with my Mom getting me the Barnes and Noble Hardcover version from 2011. Unfortunately, I had to put it down so I could focus more on school, stopping only after reading about 70 pages. Well, I have recently been doing more research and found that the translation for the version I have is most likely the Chapman- Hall one from 1846. This distressed me a bit because from what I have read the Robin Buss translation by Penguin is considered the best one.
While a part of me wants to buy the Robin Buss translation because that is considered the best translation to read, I also don't want to disregard the copy I already have since it was a gift, and is also one of the better looking books I own. Not to mention that my slight OCD can't handle having two versions of the same book on my shelf. I already have two versions of Crime and Punishment taunting me from up there because I am to scared to read either one.
I just want to know if the version I own is acceptable enough since I want to get a meaningful experience out of the novel. Is it missing anything vital? Is there enough of a disparity where I should buy the Robin Buss translation?
by Hungybungygingi