Quote:
Originally Posted by Pajamaman
Yes, I know it's a drag reading in another language. At least on an e-reader we have the dictionary. Have you tried some of the short stories in the original English? I read Strugatsky in English, and find them fine to read. I actually prefer the older translations. They are less polished, but perhaps they convey the original Russian better.
I will add that Clarke writes particularly beautiful prose. Against the fall of night is shorter, and just as good as the city and the stars. It's worth reading just for the opening scene. Apparently the opening scene was what spawned both books. It appeared in his mind all by itself with great power, and he wrote it down immediately.
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I'm not really a short story person, but I may try
Against the Fall of Night.
I agree re the prose. It was evident even in translation.
The Strugatsky brothers have written some good things too, but I find much of their stuff somewhat depressing. Still,
Dead Mountaineer's Hotel is another of my top ten fav books (again in a superb Estonian translation from Russian).
Hard to Be a God and
Roadside Picnic are also good.