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aliciabb's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
domfw96's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mantissss's review against another edition
I had previously read the Maude translation of Hadji Murad. This is the Kyril Zinovieff and Jenny Hughes translation. Although this translation is acceptable and takes nothing away from the timeless quality of the story, the older Maude translation is superior. So here I’ll elaborate some details, thereby hoping to sketch a contrast between the two.
In embodying the utterly foreign spirit of the Caucasus through use of its wildly different vocabulary (djigit/dzigit, beshmet, aoul, saklya), this translation clears the Maude, if only for its use of papakha, which the latter instead uses “cap.” Of course, perhaps the most distinct feature of Caucasian culture is the papakha, thus even if referred to as a cap, one could easily glean an image of the tribesmen wearing the wool headpiece. But to me, owing to this same ubiquity, it is all the more important to preserve the Caucasian term. For lack of better comparisons, the usage of cap is akin to Western translators attempting to translate the ethnic Indian sari into shawl, or the Southeast Asian sarong into skirt. These carry wildly different meanings from their translations, and on that front, this translation of Hadji Murad edges the other.
On another front, editorial work in this translation is inferior to the Maude, to the point where it detracts from the climax of the story.Admist all the heightened tension of Hadji Murad’s tragic last stand, a certain Kurban, singing and firing his rifle haphazardly, is suddenly inserted into the story. This, of course, may simply reflect Tolstoy’s original manuscript, but when compared to the Maude treatment on the issue, i.e. conflating Kurban into Khan Mahoma, thus building on his blithe and gay character, it’s clear that a better choice could have been made.
When these two particular issues are compared, it’s evident that the former represents a minor technical fault, and the latter a narrative flaw. Because of this, I’m prepared to overall prefer, and recommend, the older Maude translation over this latest one.
In embodying the utterly foreign spirit of the Caucasus through use of its wildly different vocabulary (djigit/dzigit, beshmet, aoul, saklya), this translation clears the Maude, if only for its use of papakha, which the latter instead uses “cap.” Of course, perhaps the most distinct feature of Caucasian culture is the papakha, thus even if referred to as a cap, one could easily glean an image of the tribesmen wearing the wool headpiece. But to me, owing to this same ubiquity, it is all the more important to preserve the Caucasian term. For lack of better comparisons, the usage of cap is akin to Western translators attempting to translate the ethnic Indian sari into shawl, or the Southeast Asian sarong into skirt. These carry wildly different meanings from their translations, and on that front, this translation of Hadji Murad edges the other.
On another front, editorial work in this translation is inferior to the Maude, to the point where it detracts from the climax of the story.
When these two particular issues are compared, it’s evident that the former represents a minor technical fault, and the latter a narrative flaw. Because of this, I’m prepared to overall prefer, and recommend, the older Maude translation over this latest one.
abeanbg's review against another edition
4.0
Sped through this to get a stronger sense of Tolstoy's aims while I take on War and Peace bit by bit. It's good, even if I knew exactly where everything was going. Interestingly, despite being a novella, it takes the panoramic view and gives time and insight to every character who played a role in the real Hadji Murat's death. I loved the descriptions of the Caucasian landscape and Tolstoy's descriptions of the Tsar are a fucking dead-ringer for Trump. It was kind of astonishing, really.
williambassinskidisciple's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Hadji Murad, I'll think of you the next time I see a beautiful flower in a parking lot.
tatin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
karenmichele's review against another edition
4.0
I have read some of Tolstoy’s longer tomes and I was curious to find out if a shorter work would be as satisfying. The answer for me was almost. I enjoyed learning about this character from Russian history and about a conflict that still influences the country in the present day. I felt the inner conflicts Murat faced trying to keep his family safe and choose sides. I enjoyed the straightforward writing style and I chose the translation by Pevear and Volokhonsky purposefully because they capture Russian works in English in a way that I find accessible and enjoyable. The characterizations were insightful and a highlight of the book as well. The depth of the longer works, especially compared to Anna Karenina, could not be achieved in this shorter novel, but I enjoyed it just the same.