Pevear and Volokhonsky translations

[Anonymous]

For readers of Russian literary classics, how do you feel about P&V? They've been very hyped (most notably by Oprah) but there's been a strong reaction against them as well. Some have praised them for being more faithful to the original text, while others say they're very dry and stilted.

[Anonymous]

I am not a fan. I find them so literal to the Russian language that they don't make sense or flow in English. I read about half of their Doctor Zhivago translation and was so confused and annoyed that I decided to try a different translation. I loved it.

I've read Anna Karenina in several different translations - Constance Garnett, Rosamund Bartlett, and P&V, and again, the P&V translation was practically unreadable to me.

After those two experiences, I'll stick with other translators. Russian literature has so many translation options and P&V are not for me.

[Anonymous]

The Maudes are my preference for Tolstoy. Some complain they are too flowery, too "English" and too out of date. But since Tolstoy spoke English, knew them personally and endorsed their translation, I go with that.