JoshReadsBooks📚
Region: US
Monday 24 August 2026 12:30:23 GMT
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SHEILA🫧 :
wait so all my penguin classics are not even close to the original versions
2026-09-02 17:02:59
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precious :
dont let these two people meet 😭
2026-08-29 10:24:52
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Pondscum :
I absolutely cannot stand the meandering language of older books, get to the fucking point or don't write about it
2026-08-24 18:33:39
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T. S. Folio :
I absolutely hate when modern translations try to turn it into a modern style. Like no, im reading a classic, i want it to feel like a classic.
2026-08-24 17:17:31
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Majima :
The union paragraph felt quite clunky. I think I’ll read the penguin version instead lol
2026-08-24 20:22:43
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maxi’s archive 📓🕯️ :
I understand why people would choose the Union version, sounds amazing. But I bought the Penguin version to make it easier for myself because English is not my first language and I’m intimidated by this book 😂👀
2026-08-24 17:36:15
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andotherthings12 :
One thing about Penguin translations, they know historical context may not be known by the modern reader and they try to make up for that as subtly as they can
2026-08-30 15:20:21
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Dylan :
The chapman and hall translation by the anonymous translator also withholds some details that were censored due to the time of translation. So the Penguin Classic is closer to the actual story Dumas wrote in French, but the older translation is more period-authentic in writing style (if anything this is actually also a demerit for a modern reader, unless you’re chasing a vibe).
2026-08-24 13:39:01
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Melonie 📚🧶 ❌ :
The Union edition edits Dumas a bit much. It excludes some political subplots, mature themes, and drug use that Victorian (Union) editions cut out. The Buss (Penguin) unabridged translation is more authentic to what Dumas wrote.
2026-08-25 00:15:54
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not_bogos :
Im not about to larp being a 19th century reader. it may be more accurate to early critical reception in england, but the book was written in french, so neither version is any more or less close to that, apart from how faithfully they retell the story.
2026-08-25 08:43:32
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princessa ♡︎ :
i prefer penguin classics always because i know they keep it as close to the original text as possible, without any sort of personal or educational biases like in other translations.
2026-08-25 02:03:38
42
🗝️ th :
I read the penguin version and can confirm that it's much more modern language and I like that but I can see why some people would prefer the other.
2026-08-24 12:56:21
249
Venemoucy :
I am French and I too would like a modernized version🤣
2026-08-24 15:30:25
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KL Reads :
Thank you for this! I was planning on getting the union version (for the same reason you did) but now I’ll definitely get the Penguin one instead. I much prefer the prose in that one. So thanks! This was helpful
2026-08-24 16:00:45
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hopeful :
The penguin one is the way to go, the original text was in french therefore a lot of the book is worded in a way that might slow the average reader down. The penguin version helps with that by adding/rewording some of the text to make it more digestible
2026-08-25 13:12:00
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v.nc :
The Penguin version is immediately a far far better reading experience, its good that the Union edition is still available for people who really want the feeling of reading a classic text, but for the actual quality of prose the Penguin edition is far more intelligible and articulate
2026-08-27 10:34:00
11
. :
Translated in 1846 doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better - the ideas of what and how a translation should work has changed dramatically since then. In college they always suggest the updated version
2026-08-24 22:46:42
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savvytechnogirl24 :
Penguin ate
2026-08-26 03:17:33
5
ece ☭ :
recent translations are generally better bc of how translation itself has changed over time. also older translations will fit the literary stylistic, and also cultural standards of the time (which might include parts of the text being removed or altered and censorship through decisions in the translations itself). there are some historical/academic reasons to read older translations, but I don’t think the older style that feels more "literary" or embellished to some is a particularly good one, because it's largely a product of when the text was translated rather than the text itself (but it obviously depends and its worth reading the translator's preface/introduction to see their approach)
2026-08-25 07:21:39
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Jade Davina :
it’s hard to choose because i’ve heard the union edition has cut content because some stuff was censored at the time it was written, but the more “modernized” prose in the penguin translation feels way too cut and dry and less stylistic than the translation in the union edition.
2026-08-24 19:09:58
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Isabella :
I think it’d be best to read both. Reading the penguin classics version first will help better comprehend the story, and then reading the union edition afterwards would give a more accurate translation closer to what the author truly intended to share. I haven’t read it yet, but that’s probably what I’ll end up doing
2026-08-27 02:15:16
14
Rachel Bartolo :
I read whatever version is free on Apple Books 🤷♀️
2026-08-28 19:56:29
7
0x1D :
The translation in the Penguin version is probably better , especially for non native speakers, but those white papers and small prints in Penguin Classics are awful.
2026-08-25 01:31:06
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Piratebear315 :
This was very helpful, accessibility matters to me, I’m a slow reader as is and if I’m struggling to understand the language of the time, I would probably put the book down, I already own the penguin version so I’m glad I don’t have to get different copy
2026-08-24 16:45:10
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Miguel 😵💫😵💫 :
How about the Oxford world classics edition. That’s the one I got cause it was the cheapest 💀
2026-08-24 21:28:41
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