Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68209 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 390 pages

Customer Reviews

The importance of the translator.
This edition of London Bridge is part two of Guignol's Band but, whereas the widely available edition of part one was translated by Ralph Manhiem, London Bridge wasn't. For anyone familiar with Celine in the translations of Manheim they will miss not only the wonderful rhythm of the language but the dark humour and beauty which is evident in so many passages, even - or especially - in the most hysterical and rabid passages. The present translator of London Bridge, Dominic Di Bernadi, is unable to match the fluidity of Manheim's translation and seems to have no feel for language itself. The impression is either of someone forced to translate a work they have no love for, or, someone translating into a language which is not their first from a language which also is not their first. The translator's introdution implies the former. In the introduction he feels it necessary to justify the very fact that he is translating Celine at all. At the moment though, this is the only translation of London Bridge available and worth reading for those who have read Guignol's Band Part One and are interested in Celine. Worth reading... but only until a better translation comes along, which, hopefully, won't be too long as Fable For Another Time has recently been released in a wonderful translation which matches the quality of Manheim.