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A review by mary_soon_lee
The Selected Poems by Po Li, David Hinton, Bai Li
3.0
Born some 1300-odd years ago, Li Bai (transliterated in this instance as Li Po) is one of the most celebrated Chinese poets and my favorite of those I've read. So I am very grateful to have this translated selection of his poems. Yet it disappointed me in several ways.
Firstly, even though I don't read Chinese, I missed seeing the Chinese originals alongside the translations. Perhaps I've been spoiled by some of the other translations of Chinese poetry that I've read of late.
Secondly, there are helpful notes for approximately a quarter of the poems, but I would have appreciated accompanying notes for every one of the poems. Across a space of 1300 years, and a considerable cultural and linguistic gap, notes can provide valuable context. (Again, I may have been spoiled by other translations of Chinese poems.) In addition, the notes are parceled away at the back of the book, which resulted in my flicking back and forth.
Lastly but most importantly, I didn't especially warm to David Hinton's translations. Not knowing Chinese, I can't speak to their accuracy. But as poetry, they move me less than they might. This is clearly subjective and other readers may disagree. I still liked many of Hinton's versions, it's just that I liked them *less* than other ones I've read. Here, for example, is Hinton's translation of one of the most famous of all classical Chinese poems.
A fine poem, effective despite its brevity, but I prefer Keith Holyoak's rendition from [b:Facing the Moon: Poems of Li Bai and Du Fu|24817380|Facing the Moon Poems of Li Bai and Du Fu|Li Bai|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436099101l/24817380._SY75_.jpg|2297868].
And I also prefer Red Pine's translation from [b:Poems of the Masters: China's Classic Anthology of T'ang and Sung Dynasty Verse|818979|Poems of the Masters China's Classic Anthology of T'ang and Sung Dynasty Verse|Red Pine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388268454l/818979._SY75_.jpg|804838].
On the plus side, I prefer Hinton's version to the one rhymed version that I've read! It isn't that there's a vast gap between the three versions above, it's just that, for me, the Hinton one is flatter, less moving.
To balance the above gripes, I do -- very much -- appreciate having this selection available in English, and I enjoyed it. Recommended with reservations.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Firstly, even though I don't read Chinese, I missed seeing the Chinese originals alongside the translations. Perhaps I've been spoiled by some of the other translations of Chinese poetry that I've read of late.
Secondly, there are helpful notes for approximately a quarter of the poems, but I would have appreciated accompanying notes for every one of the poems. Across a space of 1300 years, and a considerable cultural and linguistic gap, notes can provide valuable context. (Again, I may have been spoiled by other translations of Chinese poems.) In addition, the notes are parceled away at the back of the book, which resulted in my flicking back and forth.
Lastly but most importantly, I didn't especially warm to David Hinton's translations. Not knowing Chinese, I can't speak to their accuracy. But as poetry, they move me less than they might. This is clearly subjective and other readers may disagree. I still liked many of Hinton's versions, it's just that I liked them *less* than other ones I've read. Here, for example, is Hinton's translation of one of the most famous of all classical Chinese poems.
Thoughts in Night Quiet
Seeing moonlight here at my bed,
and thinking it's frost on the ground,
I look up, gaze at the mountain moon,
then back, dreaming of my old home.
A fine poem, effective despite its brevity, but I prefer Keith Holyoak's rendition from [b:Facing the Moon: Poems of Li Bai and Du Fu|24817380|Facing the Moon Poems of Li Bai and Du Fu|Li Bai|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436099101l/24817380._SY75_.jpg|2297868].
Quiet Night Thoughts
In front of my bed
moonlight is shining down --
I thought it was frost
shimmering on the ground.
Lifting my head
I watch the bright moon;
lowering my head
I miss my northern home.
And I also prefer Red Pine's translation from [b:Poems of the Masters: China's Classic Anthology of T'ang and Sung Dynasty Verse|818979|Poems of the Masters China's Classic Anthology of T'ang and Sung Dynasty Verse|Red Pine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388268454l/818979._SY75_.jpg|804838].
Thoughts on a Quiet Night
Before my bed the light is so bright
it looks like a layer of frost
lifting my head I gaze at the moon
lying back down I think of home.
On the plus side, I prefer Hinton's version to the one rhymed version that I've read! It isn't that there's a vast gap between the three versions above, it's just that, for me, the Hinton one is flatter, less moving.
To balance the above gripes, I do -- very much -- appreciate having this selection available in English, and I enjoyed it. Recommended with reservations.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).