Customer Reviews

Unknown (An Inspector Knutas Investigation, Volume #3)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the same story as the title "The Inner Circle". I didn't know this when I ordered it, but reread it anyhow. It is a good story with the same cops from the earlier books by Mari Jungstedt so I feel like I know them. I'm looking forward to the next book by Mari Jungstedt. Hope I don't have to wait long. I love her books!

I am an addict of crime fiction, and have become increasingly fond of European novels, translated into English.

I thought Mari Jungstedt's books, though quite light, might be appealing, especially as the Gotland setting is so potentially intriguing. But although I finished 'Unknown' it was through gritted teeth as the translation is so poor! I didn't expect literary fireworks,just a pleasant escapist read, but the use of relentless Americanisms and the generally wooden prose means I'll never read another translation by Tiina Nunnally.

I can just about cope with 'labor' and 'color' and even 'meter'for metre (if they must, though it's just plain wrong in English English) but 'cozy'???

There's a bit where the story covers permission being granted for a hotel to be built and the translator talks about a 'building commission' which I eventually realised must mean a planning committee. There's something inaccurate, jarring or at best trite on every page. And what is a Web site(sic)? We're well into the 21st century and surely we all know it's a website with no capitals now?

It's not just the use of Americanisms - the slang is old fashioned (and sometimes just meaningless) and the whole thing reads like a poor high school homework translation of a language text into English: wooden, lacking in verve with a very limited vocabulary. I suppose we've been been spoilt by excellent translations from Don Bartlett, Sian Reynolds (her English versions of Fred Vargas novels are a delight), Reg Keeland and so on.

Some thoughts:
* If a book is worth translating at all, it must be done sensitively even if it's a slight book.
* I'm not a bit against reading American English prose - I have always been a keen reader of US fiction whether it's Reichs or Auster, but this was dumbed down language - 'like' over and over again for 'as if', for example - and had no connection with the characters and atmosphere of the story.
* If the translator from Swedish (in this case)is not comfortable with educated and colloquial English I believe the publisher should commission someone who is to read through the translation before publication.
* I think it's essential that the translator retains something of the flavour of the original language/culture. I don't at all mind being aware that I'm reading a translation because it helps set the mood. So I don't want Swedish stories to sound like P G Wodehouse or Dickens!

This is rather a heavy review for such a small book. But I certainly won't read any more Jungstedts if the translator is the same. Luckily I borrowed this one from a library!