Customer Reviews

Milky Way Railroad (Stone Bridge Fiction)

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

 

 

I have been a Kenji Miyazawa fan for a long time, and upon finding a (fairly cheap) version of Night on the Galactic Railroad, I was ecstatic. Upon recieving it, to my horror, they had changed ALL of the names and severely rewrote major sections. The original names are Italian, and they are changed to lame Japanese names to "avoid confusion". Pure arrogance on the part of the translator. The only thing that saves this title is the original material, which still manages to shine through. Buy the other version, or watch the animated version put out by Central Park Media.

A surreal dream journey combining religious and scientific imagery; this version includes some good B&W illustrations. However, for various reasons I am seeking out an alternate translation after buying this book. My first encounter with NIGHT ON THE GALACTIC RAILROAD (GINGA (Galaxy) TETSUDO (Railroad) NO YORU (Night)... the "Night" somehow dropped out of the title in this version) was with the gorgeous animated film, towards which my expectations are admittedly biased. Also, I don't read Japanese, so my comments on the translation must be taken with a grain of salt. However, one error stands out -- changing the character's Italian names to arbitrary Japanese equivalents. Did the translators really expect readers to be somehow confused by the fact that a Japanese author was writing about Italian characters, however universal or archetypal such characters are supposed to be? It's not a gripe that would destroy the story for a first-time reader, but for me, it leaves a negative impression.

I am soooo angry that this is the only translation in print. I want to use the story in classes I teach, but these idiots butchered the story. Miyazawa GAVE THE KIDS ITALIAN NAMES FOR A REASON! These so-called translators are too pedantic, too arrogant, or simply too stupid to get that. Sarah Strong wrote an excellent translation, which even includes an excellent readers guide. Granted, it's not really for kids, but the story was not meant only for kids. Come on Professor Strong, get it back in print!

This is the best of several available English translations of Japan's bestloved children's sci fi fantasy story. Although it takes the controversial step of simplifying the title and changing the characters' names to Japanese instead of the original Italian, it removes one layer of mystification from the story and simplifies our perceptions of a multifaceted work that appeals as easily to adults as to children. This tale of the friendship between a poor boy and a rich boy in a small country town in northern Japan and their journey to the heavens, from which only one returns, shows a small boy contending with social rejection, death and his place in the universe. Told in simple but sparkling prose, it is accompanied by illustrations by the eminent Japanese illustrator Ryu Okazaki, some of which are in the same order as works by such masters as Leonard Baskin and Rockwell Kent. The translators, Joseph Sigrist and D.M. Stroud, are both Americans who lived for many years in Japan and who are intimately acquainted with the geographic and literary milieu of the author.

This edition was published in 2008, and the Italian names, Giovani and Campanella, are used. I can't speak for earlier editions, but the reviews critical of revising Kenji's Italian character names to Japanese names are not relevant for this edition. I still prefer Strong's edition especially for its copious notes and background material. But until it becomes readily available again, this edition is more than acceptable.

This is a great modern fairy tale told by one of Japan's greatest modern authors. Great perspective on combining the ideas of differing religions into a sort of weird blend.

This is a quite wonderful story. I became interested in reading THE MILKY WAY RAILROAD after seeing the artwork done for an untranslated version by a modern Japanese artist: Kagaya. I am so glad I ordered it. This is a universal tale that a child from any culture can understand and appreciate. I agree that Sigrist and Stroud were silly to arbitrarily change the characters' names; so if you can find a better translation, by all means get it. The content itself will overcome any awkwardness in word choice.

This extremely well-written translation doesn't even sound like a translation most of the time. It is the best of the four available translations of the number-one Japanese children's classic of this century which has sold millions of copies in Japan. It is an inspiring tale of two young boys on a trip through the cosmos as one of them learns to deal with social ostracism (ijime), a missing father, the death of his best friend -- and finally with the meaning of life.