Demons, Possessed or Devils
This is how the title of Dostoevsky’s third major novel is translated into English, depending on translator. In German it’s Die Dämonen.
It is his darkest novel, dealing with nihilism, murder, suicide, insanity and a general breakdown of society.
Quite fitting for our present day. I have read the novel six times. Four times in German and two times in English.
Every summer for the last thirty years or so, I read, what I call, a major novel.
This one requires some background to understand it better, so I have added some of my background reading in this image.
I am presently reading Die Dämonen in a translation by E.K. Rahsin which was originally published in German in 1906.
The translation is excellent, and I am enjoying it very much. In Dostoevsky’s novels, the characters all have distinct voices.
A little trivia: In both German and English the original translators of Dostoevsky’s works were women, Constance Garnett in English and E.K. Rahsin in German.
Both translations remain in print.
All images © 2004-2024 by Walter Otto Koenig, Images may not be copied, downloaded, or linked. All rights reserved.
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