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Walter Otto Koenig | all galleries >> Galleries >> PaD: Zuihitsu > September 15
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15-Sep-2022

September 15

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.

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Doug Cruden22-Sep-2022 18:55
Lovely commentary Walter, and well done for reading such a complex tome in in two languages. Nicely photographed too
Kevin D Warren20-Sep-2022 22:28
I admire your thorough approach and dedication. Books should be read and re-read - I have a special shelf for those volumes.
Julie Oldfield17-Sep-2022 01:21
I give you credit for reading those. You have an extensive library. I like how you used the DOF as well as that lovely table. V
Neil Marcus16-Sep-2022 18:50
Since I live in a fancy care facility I have only photography, some exercise, and read a few hours each day. Generally non- fiction and have learned much. The books you described are beyond me in interest and probably intellect. I just finished a tome by David McCollough, The Path Between The Seas, The Creation Of The Panama Canal.
Nestor Derkach16-Sep-2022 18:00
Nice photograph of interesting reading these 8 books will require a block of time to complete.
Amazing that you read on book 6 times four times in German.
Vote
globalgadabout16-Sep-2022 17:13
looks as if you are a studious reader with a bent for the classics, certainly commendable...it can be hard to find the time for the venerable works with such a huge choice of contemporary literature on offer, and many of today's best novelists are women, such as Esi Edugyan, Elena Ferrante, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Annie Proulx, Barbara Kingsolver...the list goes on..
Raymond16-Sep-2022 15:23
Le demon est démoniaque!
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