I've been putting this off for years. I've read how integral a part it played as being the basis for the modern novel. I have always loved to read translated works. What caused this book to fall to the wayside for me is not the length, but the very first 2-3 pages. It had all kinds of strange words like collops, nag, and the language itself was just archaic (and not in a good way). I have of course read other passages also.
I have since purchased many translations and editions. I finally started to read the novel during the past few days. As with many translated works, it is very interesting to see what kind of liberties some translators have taken and how much they differ from one another. The newest translations attempt to make the language more accessible and pleasing to today's readers. Grossman is highly praised, but I didn't really care for the syntax. I have also been reading another recent translation (Montgomery, from 2009), and I found it very pleasing. The humor is intact, and he picked up on many small details, or at least conveyed them better to the reader than all of the others I have read. My general preference would be for Ormsby, as I like the older language, but Montgomery may be my choice. I don't understand why Grossman has the acclaimed version and not Montgomery, who in my opinion is the superior choice.
I have not read enough to form any concrete opinions or meaningful analysis, but I am really happy with how much of a pleasure it is to read as I was expecting a real slog. I'd love to hear from others regarding their expectations as well as their opinions on translations they have read, which is of course a very subjective experience. It just boggles my mind how much of a different book the various translations can be.
by jcoffin1981