I am loath to ever mention this 'book', but its phenomenal success occasionally prods me to do so.
As now does Kwaak Je-yup's piece in The Korea Times, arguing that 'Mommy porn' better in translation.
Out now in two volumes in the Korean translation (yes, that originally 528-page first book in the trilogy has been expanded into a two-book Korean version, those volumes clocking in at 416 and 364 pages respectively; see also the Sigongsa publicity page for volume one), it seem to be meeting with success there too -- despite being rather radically altered in translation:
Out now in two volumes in the Korean translation (yes, that originally 528-page first book in the trilogy has been expanded into a two-book Korean version, those volumes clocking in at 416 and 364 pages respectively; see also the Sigongsa publicity page for volume one), it seem to be meeting with success there too -- despite being rather radically altered in translation:
Virtually all the strong language has been toned down with more palatable, publicly-accepted expression. Even the sadomasochistic sex rituals feel demure in comparison. The excessive references to Anastasia's "inner goddess," or her libido, do not come as irritating. (Word repetition is not a grammatical crime in Korean.) Devastatingly unnatural dialogue in the original are improved somewhat, but at some point in this 780-pager, especially in the Korean publisher's two-volume form, the reader has to feel frustrated by one too many use of "God, he's sexy."Yes, despite the translator's best efforts:
The female protagonist's utterly simple and crass emotions survive the translation; so do other problems bedeviling the original.Generally, I'm vehemently opposed to such liberal translation -- but I have to admit that with a 'book' like this ... what can it hurt ? What can it matter ?