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Working Wearies: A Labor of Love - Retranslating Natalia Ginzburg's Modern Italian Classic

Michael Chabon

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A Photograph Of The Cover Of The New English Translation Of Natalia Ginzburg's Novel 'Working Wearies', Featuring A Woman In A Blue Dress Walking Down A Street In Italy. Working Wearies: A Retranslation Of Lavorare Stanca

Working Wearies: A retranslation of Lavorare Stanca

by Elio Marpa

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
Paperback	:	156 pages
Item Weight	:	7.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.36 x 9 inches

Natalia Ginzburg's novel "Working Wearies" (originally published in Italian as "Lavorare stanca" in 1963) is a seminal work of Italian literature that has captured the hearts and minds of readers around the world. The novel, which follows the lives of two working women in postwar Italy, is a poignant and insightful exploration of themes such as marriage, motherhood, and female independence.

In 2017, the novel was retranslated into English by Ann Goldstein, an acclaimed translator known for her work on Elena Ferrante's "Neapolitan Novels." Goldstein's retranslation has been met with widespread praise, with critics lauding her ability to capture the spirit and nuance of Ginzburg's original prose.

For Goldstein, the project of retranslating "Working Wearies" was a labor of love. She had long been an admirer of Ginzburg's work, and she saw the opportunity to retranslate her novel as a chance to introduce her to a new generation of readers.

"Ginzburg is one of the great writers of the 20th century," Goldstein said in an interview. "Her work is so insightful, so compassionate, and so beautifully written. I wanted to do everything I could to make sure that her voice came through in my translation."

Goldstein's retranslation of "Working Wearies" is a significant contribution to the field of translation studies. It is a testament to her skill as a translator and her deep understanding of Ginzburg's work. The retranslation is a faithful and nuanced rendering of the original novel, and it is sure to introduce Ginzburg to a new generation of readers.

The Challenges of Retranslating "Working Wearies"

Retranslating a classic work of literature is a daunting task. The translator must not only be fluent in both the source and target languages, but they must also have a deep understanding of the cultural context of the original work.

In the case of "Working Wearies," Goldstein faced a number of challenges. The novel is written in a colloquial style, and it features a number of regionalisms and slang terms. Goldstein had to find ways to translate these terms into English without losing their original meaning and flavor.

Another challenge was the fact that "Working Wearies" is a feminist novel. Goldstein had to be careful to avoid using language that could be interpreted as condescending or patronizing towards women.

Goldstein's Approach to Retranslation

Goldstein's approach to retranslating "Working Wearies" was to focus on preserving the spirit and nuance of Ginzburg's original prose. She wanted to create a translation that was both faithful to the original and readable by a contemporary audience.

To achieve this, Goldstein used a combination of techniques. She employed a close reading of the original text, and she consulted with native Italian speakers to ensure that her translation was accurate.

Goldstein also paid close attention to the rhythm and cadence of Ginzburg's prose. She wanted to create a translation that was not only accurate, but also pleasing to the ear.

The Reception of Goldstein's Retranslation

Goldstein's retranslation of "Working Wearies" has been met with widespread praise. Critics have lauded her ability to capture the spirit and nuance of Ginzburg's original prose.

In a review for "The New York Times," Parul Sehgal wrote, "Goldstein has done a masterful job of capturing Ginzburg's voice, her rhythms, her humor, her melancholy, her rage."

In a review for "The Guardian," Rachel Cusk wrote, "Goldstein's retranslation is a triumph. She has produced a version of 'Working Wearies' that is both faithful to the original and beautifully written in its own right."

Working Wearies: A retranslation of Lavorare Stanca

by Elio Marpa

5 out of 5