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Selected Poems (Penguin Classics) (French Edition)

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Since almost no poetry by Hugo is available in English, this is a welcome sampling. THAT deserves five stars. The introduction is informative (and none too shy on opinions). The French original on the facing page is helpful for comparing with the translation. And the translator's notes on his method of translating put things in perspective. As usual, the translator must make a choice between two basic options: literalness (which may sacrifice "tone" or "rhyme"), or keeping the "sound" or rhyme of the original (which may necessitate substituting English words or phrases for those in the original). The current translator opted for the former choice. Fine. How odd, then, that he also mixes in elements of the second choice! The result sometimes is that you have neither the tone nor the rhyme nor the literal rendering of the original.

In one poem, for example, Hugo ends with a line that is six syllables long, with three of those words (and four syllables in those three words) carrying the same vowel sound -- "aw". Those words in French are "maison," "sans," and "enfants" (the last word ending the line.) Six syllables, four homonyms! Not bad! However, the translation has more than six syllables, and no words that sound alike,and some of the words in the translation are not in the original. How does that convey either the tone, mood, or rhyme of the original? In fact, the orignal has four phrases at the end of the poem, each of which repeats a pattern of contrast using the words "sans" ("without"): spring without flowers, a cage without bird, a hive without bees, a house without children. This obvious, simple, and intentional pattern is not maintained in the translation, and I wonder why. Instead, "poetic" license is in evidence by the translator. Part of Hugo's madness in this method may well have been to end with his clever (and lyrical) six-syllable, four-homonym ending, and in English, the "pay off" would not have been there. Still, how much license should a translator take?

In all, I am glad to have these poems, but I am restless till someone can find a way to come closer to Hugo. Maybe I should just learn French.

The book is in good condition, and I like your service. The item always comes faster than the expected date. Thank you, Luoth