The Idiot

Having read Brother Karmazov translated by Ignat Avsey I was very keen to read other novels of Fyodor Dostovesky provided they are translated by Ignat Avsey. The recent release of new translation by the author caught my attention resulting in my buying the paper back edition. I took 10 days to read the entire novel and thoroughly enjoyed . As two reviewers had commented that the translation of Ignat Avsey is delightful and lovely I have no hesitation in endorsing their views after having gone through the book . The very soul of Fyodor Dostovesky is brought out by Ignat. The last two chapters of the novel culminating in a climax are well scripted and translation is remarkable with the English Prose Style of Ignat revealing Fyodor in full form. The mental sickness of the hero resulting in severe thought confusion in his day to day interaction with other people is well brought out . The irony of the novel is that the man who lived in Switzerland and got over his mental sickness through medical treatment again succumbed to the mental sickness due to stress and hardships faced by him . Truth is that mental sickness can never be cured but at best be controlled. Even that hope is falsified at the climax of the novelwith regardsmuralidharan madras india

Having sampled several available English translations of this book, I have to say Ignat Avsey's is not only the most readable, but also has a rare tonal integrity and coherence for a translated book. Granted, while Russian was his mother tongue, Avsey was also British--hence occasionally Britishisms or anachronistic Anglo-slang creep into the sentences. But compared to his predecessors, such lapses are relatively few and far between. For what it's worth, here's a quick lowdown on the various translations I've looked at of this book:--Eva Martin (not bad, although her over-Anglicization is an issue)--Constance Garnett (she's my preferred translator for Chekhov's prose, but her translation of "the Idiot" is truly horrendous: over-simplified, unjustified and outright changes to the text as if she's remaking Dostoevesky's world not just linguistically, but also culturally into an unbelievable Victorian/Edwardian England)--Pevear-Volokhonsky (as you can see, one knows English, the other Russian and neither of the duo knows both languages at once: and hence theirs reads like a patchwork that approaches accuracy but seriously lacks flow; sometimes I preferred robotic google translate to PV's handiwork)--David McDuff (better than PV, but prose falls flat too often for me)--Ignat Avsey (as I've said above, a joy to read: occasional Britishisms apart, Avsey has an ear for the language and dialog that shows, making you feel like you're reading one book and author from beginning to end)

Although I bought this book during Christmas time at around 4 Euro, after a lot of research and my dilemma to buy this edition, I would not recommend this book to anyone.I just read two pages and I felt difficulty in understanding already on the 3rd page. Like who is who and conversations are very awkward. Then I checked the Richard Pevear's version and OMG, its so easy to understand and smooth.Unfortunately, I passed the return window of my purchase and I could not return this book now. Hence, giving a review of this edition and translator. Stay away.However, the print and pages of the book are just wonderful. But if reading is not comfortable and hard to follow, what's the point of buying this translation? Hope my review helped.

Interesting character. Story of a man whose appearance and coversation style defines himself an idiot in conventional sense. He had also received long treatment to overcome foolishness. His straightforwardness and friendly character have made him popular specially among women but his rationales were often missed.

Great book to read ,and i find this translation is easy read compared to the other translations(so far i read different of Fyodor Dostoevsky with different translators) .The biggest problem with Fyodor Dostoevsky is his novels are never easy read. Once you complete any of his work you want to read his other work.Book delivered in good condition and delivered on time,