Faust Paperback – March 31, 2017

This is my first time through Goethe's Faust thanks to my Kindle. This version is Part I; Part II was published separately. This is the translation by Bayard Taylor and was originally available in 1871. This edition includes a preface by the translator that I found quite interesting. He explains the translation process and how he was able to get it into rhyming verse similar to the original German.Since I do not read German and this is the only translation I have ever read, it is hard for me to judge the quality of this translation, but I was impressed with how he got the English to fit into the original metres. This is written as a play in poetic form.The story itself is Goethe's version of the Faustian legend. I found that I was able to follow the story quite well, but I did find it useful to read a summary of the plot that clarified several events that are sometimes difficult for me to follow in poetic language.I shall next get my hands on Faust Part II. I highly recommend this Kindle freebie to anyone interested in literature. I can see why this ranks as one of the greatest works in German literature.

In this particular version the text was double-spaced. Not at all suited for reading verse.

This provides a counter balance to the pablum that passes for much of current literature. The translation is easy to follow and the study of man's nature is powerful as Goethe shows how the seeking of pleasure at the expense of Margaret has devastating consequences.

This review is of the Kindle version translated by Bayard Taylor, illustrated by Harry Clarke. Except there aren't any illustrations. If you want pictures, buy another version. Same goes for footnotes. The lyrical translation, however, is superb, with the poetic meter almost perfect. A very enjoyable edition, indeed.

What's good about this particular version of Faust is that it respects the poetic nature of the original and works hard to ensure that the lyricism of the piece comes through intact such that the work flows easily, enjoyably, and often with a dark humor to the reader's mind.The unfortunate thing about this particular version is that it's only part 1 and it turns out that there are 2 parts -- part 1 deals with the little-ness of human life and while it qualifies as a tragedy on its own it doesn't resolve the core plot in the slightest; that's supposed to be in part 2 which this fantastic translator (Bayard Taylor) seems to have died before he got to dealing with.

Classic for a reason.

A work like this needs nor bares any scrutiny from the likes of one such as I. You will be better for having read it.

Pros: A wonderful translation; you tend to forget that it is a translation.Cons: 1. A terrible page layout without any logical reason why sometimes its lines are double spaced and at other times not. 2. A very important portion is missing, without any explanation, i.e. the one where Faust decides to commit suicide, but is then rescued by the start of Easter.I enjoyed it thorougly.

I purchased the kindle version together with the related audiobook option. This translation is my preferred one. The audiobook is professionally produced. Both are absolutely excellent value for money. The new technology in the iPad kindle app which coordinates the automatic page turning with the audio has on screen controls to start, stop and go back a few seconds which are well designed and work perfectly.Please do the same for Faust Part 2.

Bought this for the Willy Poganny illustrations but whoever scanned them rid the worst job possible. Appalling reproductions which is a shame as he was a great artist. Avoid this edition like the plague.

(Mi riferisco all'edizione in copertina rigida con la scritta "Scholar's choice)Il libro è una edizione fotocopiata di qualche copia presente in una libreria americana. Pertanto, presenta non solo dei difetti di tipografia come segni e notazioni di fianco al testo, ma anche degli errori di fotocopiatura, con numerose sbavature dell'inchiostro.Nelle prime pagine l'editore giustifica questa scelta dicendo che il documento ha "valore storico", ma è una scusa che non ha per niente senso, in quanto le annotazioni presenti sul libro sono palesemente delle semplici note scritte da una persona qualunque su un libro di una biblioteca qualsiasi.Davvero orrendo, non mi era mai capitata una cosa del genere, anche per libri comprati a due lire.

Opera madre di Goethe e della letteratura tedesca e mondiale, tradotto in maniera più che accettabile.La perenne lotta tra bene e male, che trova il suo ago della bilancia nella figura del dottor Faust, strambo alchimista che a costo di avverare i suoi grotteschi sogni di comprensione e conoscenza delle cose proibite, invoca l'aiuto di mefistofele offrendogli in cambio la sua anima.Cito testualmente: «La lotta tra Dio e il demonio è la battaglia dei vizi e delle virtudi. Questa è la base della leggenda del Dottore Fausto che vendé l'anima al diavolo, leggenda così popolare al medio evo, e resa immortale da Goethe.»

E' un'opera molto impegnativa e difficile, ma è tra le più grandi della letteratura mondiale

Bellissimo

Un Classico !!!Ottima lettura.

Un classico imperdibile, in buona traduzione italiana. L'eterna lotta dell'uomo per vincere la morte in un testo che ne coglie tutta l'infelice realtà.

Ist für unseren Pflegesohn sehr hilfreich im Fach Deutsch

Ottimo

Kommentar zur Präsentation: Illustrationen sind zu schwach und nur in Grautönen zu erkennen. Text enthält viele Tippfehler.Inhalt ist allgemein bekannt.

Der Text entspricht dem Original, leider sind relativ viele Druckfehler vorhanden, ebenso fehlen die Kapitelangaben am Anfang und die Versnummern alle.