The Best WAR & PEACE English Translation of All Time?

[Sarah Hurst]

And 'attacking' the 'messenger' is certainly fair game: If you don't
know a language WELL and don't, in any substantive way, discuss the
generally recognized criteria for a translation, then you've written a
bad review. 

Best,
mad

There's a big difference between an academic journal that has generally
recognized criteria and a popular magazine like The Atlantic Monthly, which
can take whatever angle it likes. I have no idea if Mona Simpson knows
Russian, but obviously she has a long-time interest in Russian literature,
and her approach was to read the translation from the point of view of an
English-speaking reader. Since translations are aimed specifically at
English-speaking readers who generally do not know Russian, it's perfectly
valid for them to give their opinions on how readable the text is. 

I've reviewed all kinds of books myself in various genres for various
publications, some on topics where I was very knowledgeable and others where
I wasn't, but my reviews were based on a careful reading of the book in
question, and provided comments based on which potential readers could
decide whether or not it was worth their while reading the book. 

Sarah Hurst

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