Book Review: In a Dark Wood Wandering

[evadne_noel]

Many, many moons ago I promised that I would add book reviews to my movie reviews. And seeing as I haven't seen a movie in ages (not since V for Vendetta anyway), but I've recently joined a book club, I thought I would finally do a write up about a book.

Comments

[evadne_noel]

The translation is very recent. I'm looking forward to reading The Scarlet City/De scharlaken stad when I have time/can find a copy.

I can see how the book could be less introspective than others, especially if Dutch Lit likes it. After all, it's pretty much only Charles who goes on and on and on. There are lots of action oriented characters.

There was a whole giant essay on the translation of the title, but since there really wasn't a poetic way of saying it in English, they opted for a line from Dante...a translated line from Dante. Yeah. Better than the direct from French translation of "The Forest of Long Awaiting." The Dutch version is way better.

[evadne_noel]

The translation on the whole was "a bit...um." When *I* can look at medieval French poetry and see that the English version is compartively gutted and bloodless, you have problems. On the other hand, I should be grateful it was translated at all since the industry has NO interest in non-English works.

Oh, no. Do I have to look at examples of Mary/Gary Stu Dutch self-insertion with sex? Can't I just take your word for it?

[ricardienne]

I think this one is going on my list for sure. :)

[evadne_noel]

Well, good. I hope you enjoy it.

[irishmastermind]

I might have to go look at this. I really know so little about that time period. Like you said, it's mostly from a super brief bit at school and then from Shakespeare. Mmm, Shakespeare.

[evadne_noel]

Shakespeare truly is wonderful. Anyway, yeah. It was a good look at a perspective I hadn't really been introduced to before.