Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Epic Drama: "Faust"

Rahul: The Book consists of original German, with English translation on the opposite page, rather lovely

India on May 23, 2023

Alex: Walter kaufmann does a stellar translation of Goethes work here, however the books structure leaves a lot to be desired with most of the end sections being left to be explained in the books summary in the beginning, however Kaufmanns translation and Goethes brilliance still make this a good read.

Brazil on Sep 02, 2022

Amazon Customer: Of course, this book is a classic for a reason. However- I’m frustrated with Amazon’s grouping of the books for purchase. I bought the paperback and kindle versions assuming there’d be some continuity, and was frustrated to learn that they’re two entirely different translations of the book. The kindle version was a translation by David Luke and the paperback by Walter Kaufmann. I was under the impression that I was reading the Kaufmann translation (albeit obviously without the German text) and was frustrated 60% through the book to realize otherwise.

Gave the Kindle version 5 stars and am editing here after discovering that the footnotes are in the wrong place. To find the footnote for the stanza you’re reading, you have to scan through the text to find the next footnote- they’re out of order after about 70% of the book. Frustrating.

United States on Nov 07, 2021

Kindle Customer: The original tale that has been recreated, reimagined and deconstructed a million different ways from Sunday, Faust ventures deep into existential and moral fabric as he deals with the devil.

Australia on Jul 17, 2020

: I read this in one of my university English courses and I liked it. I always wanted to own Faust II. Such a great masterpiece.

Canada on Jan 12, 2018

白袴: 思ったより早く届きました。英語併記版ですのでページ数は多いですが、紙質、印刷は上々です。

Japan on Dec 11, 2017

E.A. Bucchianeri: Faust: Part One (Oxford World's Classic)

Goethe's "Faust" is arguably the most important milestone in Romantic literature. Taking the famous medieval legend of Dr. Faustus and his pact with the devil, Goethe adapted the tale of old, and transformed it into a great love story, and a probing poetical tract on the nature of good and evil, salvation and damnation, failing and striving, the innate search for truth and lasting fulfilment.

Part One (first published 1808) features Faust's disgust with his life and the world at large, and attempting to unite with the Spirit of creation and soar above the petty corporality of earth, the proud old scholar is dashed to the ground, for he must first work his salvation out on earth by the sweat of his brow before he can be admitted into the presence of the Deity. In desperation, Faust tries to commit suicide, but then makes a wager with the devil: if Mephistopheles can show him that one moment of bliss he is searching for and succeeds in persuading him to cease all his human striving for that one moment, then his soul is forfeit. The devil agrees to the wager, grants Faust the gift of youth, and the adventures begin. He meets...

United States on Dec 04, 2008

OAKSHAMAN: I have no doubt that this is the best English translation of Faust. It is certainly the translation for those who love the tale. All the life and humor and glory shines through. It is not a "scholar's" translation. It is still fully alive.

I know that people avoid Faust for being too formidable and daunting. They need not feel so. It is amazing just how smoothly the translation of Part One reads. You do not want to put it down. Yet it is so very accurate- a quick glance across to the opposing German original confirms that.

As for Part Two, it doesn't read quite so smoothly, but that is no fault of the translator, since the original German also lacks the perfect flow and polish of Part One. Goethe didn't have sixty more years to perfect it as he did with the first part. In fact, we are only given a translation of the first and last acts. The intervening three acts are summarized in the introduction. My sole criticism of this edition is that the summary should have been actually bound between these two acts so that you do not have to flip back to the introduction to refresh your memory. Still, you can piece the full flavor and meaning out of Part Two in spite of these...

United States on Sep 12, 2006