Faust I & II (Goethe : The Collected Works, Vol 2)

Certainly enough it is shocking (at least to me) that a man of genius on the level and scope of J.W. von Goethe is largely unread, or perhaps even largely unknown except as a musty name, in the English speaking world today.This Stuart Atkins translation, part of apparently a large series of Princeton U. Press 'Collected Works' of Goethe, is the single BEST translation I have encountered that is likely to be able to reach, to be comprehended, by the widest English language audience.The richness of Goethe's variation in metre and tone is retained, but the language is modern-day English and avoids anachronisms and archaic language. While old-style language sounds "Classic" and rhyme can be aesthetically beautiful to read and hear, this translation offers comprehension of the original and is quite true to the original. In fact, in the poetic gymnastics required to maintain metre and rhyme scheme, much invention is required that can lose the import of Goethe's original.My suggestion, in the interest of having a short review, is to recommend the Atkins' translation to most, certainly those just approaching Goethe....and then, read a second translation later, once you have a decent grasp on the import of the great Faust legend.Aside from the translation, the work itself is incomparable. Nothing short of the story of Western man's struggle of experience and knowledge, of progress and constant striving and becoming. It may be disputed, but Goethe is, in my view, in the totality of his work, in terms of variety and quality, a greater poet than Shakespeare, Dante and Homer, but with Faust alone he at a minimum, garners a place of honor on this Mt. Rushmore of World Literature (a term, incidentally coined by Goethe).

The greatest accomplishment of Stuart Atkins' translation of Goethe's Faust is that it is extremely readable. This is the best translation that I have come across if you are looking for intelligibility. I read, simultaneously, the translations of Atkins, Arndt, and Kaufmann. Atkins is clear and understandable (unrhymed); Arndt is dense and scholarly (rhymed); Kaufmann is lively and driving (rhymed). If you are familiar with translations of Dante's Divine Comedy, Atkins' Fuast is the equivalent of the Hollanders' Comedy.While this translation is probably the best for understanding what Goethe is communicating, since it isn't constrained by rhyme, it also looses some of the punch that the rhyming of other translations have. Goethe's Faust is rhymed in the original, and English translations that reproduce this are much more pleasurable and quotable. What I did was read Atkins to understand what is going on and then read Arndt or Kaufmann to really enjoy it. Let me qualify that by saying that Atkins (like the Hollanders with Dante) achieves his own style of beauty with his translation. Some of his lines were better than the others because they conveyed deeper emotion or clarity. In the end, which translation you really love depends on what you are looking for. BUT certainly Atkins excels in clarity, which, when it comes to Goethe, is no small accomplishment.

The product came in a timely manner and included a handwritten note and ribbon in its packaging (from the seller whom I bought from). The product was exactly as described. Well done!

While Atkins may not be the most popular translator, and I actually did not order this translation at all, and it came coffee(?) stained on the outside edges - I mean the entire outside edges were splashed(>) with coffee? or muddy water? LOL IDK, I cleaned it as much as I could with a Magic Eraser. So, I kept it because the pages were not affected and I had not read Faust before. I just started reading it and as a first-time reader, I am already enjoying it. It's very easy to read, and I will be comparing it to the translation I am waiting on (Davi Luke). Will update after I can compare them. Other than the condition and it not being my actual choice, the book is a great edition. The printing is perfect, the pages are high-quality, the cover is sturdy, and there is room for marginalia. Left some pics to show the (cleaned) book and the inside. Just in case amazon is doing their unfortunate habit like usual - mixing up a hundred different editions and translations and throwing all the reviews into one pile - I am reviewing the Princeton Paperbacks edition, Faust I & II, ISBN 978 069 103 6564

Classic Goethe, and a must-read. The second part was very different from the first (written at a different point of his life if I am not mistaken), and I did not enjoy it as much as the first.

This is a pretty decent translation of the magnificent original, Goethe's master work, one of the handful of truly great works in all languages. It concerns the journey of Faust, a genius and scholar who challenges Mephistopheles to teach him at the potential price of his soul, Faust's escape being unshakeable curiosity, that brilliant human capacity without which we are indeed lost, and his redemption being - as so often - the love of a good woman

A classic book that is understated in its relevance. I believe it is really a gift that this book is available in English. You know, I cannot really describe it exactly. It is definitely a journey and if you have heard at all about the depth and exploration involved, you will understand somewhat what a seriously intense read it is...I've changed a bit in the course of reading it.I would recommend it if you know what you are in for.

I searched for an English translation of Faust at B&N, local independent stores, even second-hand book stores but could never find one! Which is both incredibly surprising and a shame, given the perennial content of the book...Goethe was a very enlightened, mystical person and Faust's verses especially reflect this. As such, I cannot comment on the quality of the translation, beyond saying that if you are even reading this review, you should go ahead and purchase.