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

I just wanted to say that out of all the Faust translations out there, this is the only one ive come across that is given in modern day english, without all the fancy, schmantzy intellectual, poetic rhyming verses.

This is a straight, easy to understand translation while keeping all the beauty, majesty, romantic and tragic style of Goethes dramatic writing.

This book is part of the complete works of Goethe. These people at Princeton University know what theyre doing, I mean theyre presenting the English speaking world the complete writings of Goethe! So of course everything they come out with in this edition will be well-nigh-definitive.

...with that said, enjoy the Faust!

Open the first page and embark into the world of Goethe, there is little wonder why faust took fifty years to complete. Be warned, though, that once delved into, the external world will appear mundane and worthless. Faust is a must read for anyone who is willing to devote the necessary time to completely understand the element of absurdity (as according to camus). read and find out if a fifty year vacation with the devil is worth your soul. A MUST BUY NOW!

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 Goethes 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 Goethes 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 mans 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).