Customer Reviews

Faust: Part Two (Oxford World's Classics) (Pt. 2)

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I have always hated Faust II. It seems like I've put it down more times than I've picked it up. The writing style is overtly florid and there are moments in the text where I honestly could just not figure what was going on. Obscure references to Classical and Teutonic Mythology always went over my head - and I honestly hate using guides. It made reading the play feel more like a slog or a chore than anything. Apparently I'm not alone - it's one of the most ignored and infrequently taught works of Weimar Classicism.

I still think the work is overrated and at times, pretentious, but parts of it are stunningly beautiful. The able translation and scholarship of the introduction and copious notes make the play more accessible. Luke has really done a commendable job on a difficult text. I think footnotes would've been preferable to endnotes as I hate incessantly flipping back and forth. Also, the corresponding German text on the opposing page (like what Signet did with Faust I) would've been nice. It's good to get a feeling for Goethe's actual language - it really is quite beautiful. Something still gets lost in translation even though Luke is much more poetic than many other translators. Also, the mythology guide in the back is a great idea.

It's certainly still not a book for the Oprah's book club crowd as it's still a difficult book, but lit buffs who've been turned off to Faust II should give this edition another shot. Even though it's not perfect (no facing text or footnotes), this is the best translation/edition of Faust II I've ever seen. Luke should be commended.

Highly Recommended for the literature buff. Recommended for the scholar, perhaps in conjunction with an edition with facing text.