The Translations of Valery Larbaud: A Model of Literary Exploration - Softcover

Connell, Allison

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1988299217 ISBN 13: 9781988299211

Publisher: Chapel Street Editions, 2019

Synopsis

The Translations of Valery Larbaud is a concise yet detailed study of Larbaud’s entire career as a translator. It will be of special interest to scholars of comparative literature and translation studies.

Allison Connell uses close analysis and comparative readings to show how Larbaud achieved the quality of translations for which he was famous.

Larbaud’s extensive translations of Samuel Butler and his role as rédacteur en chef in the translation of Joyce’s Ulysses into French are among his most significant achievements. In addition, he translated literary work from Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. 

Larbaud traveled widely and lived in several countries other than France. His work as a translator included literary exploration that advanced a sense of transnational human solidarity. Allison Connell’s study of Larbaud brings the significance of this cosmopolitan worldview into full consideration. 

Professor Connell writes in such a clear and precise way his book will be read with delight by scholars of comparative literature and literary history whether or not they are engaged in translation studies.

About this title

About the Author:

Allison Connell was born in 1931 at Sioux Lookout in northwestern Ontario, Canada where his father was District Forester. In 1941 the family moved to his father's original home in Woodstock, New Brunswick. His childhood experiences in the forest and lake country of the north left a deep impression and he eventually returned over many summers for extended canoe and camping excursions. Allison Connell is a graduate of Mt. Allison University where he specialized in French Literature. This led to teaching fellowships at French lycées, which were renewed twice. He returned to France in 1956 and completed his doctoral programme at the Sorbonne in 1959. During this time he developed a deep and continuing interest in Valery Larbaud and the art of translation. Back in Canada, he taught for five years at the University of Winnipeg. In 1964 he conducted a summer school course in 17th century French Literature at the University of Alberta. He subsequently became a Professor of French and Comparative Literature at the University of Alberta where he taught from 1965 to 1980. During this period he published a number of papers in The Canadian Review of Comparative Literature, including one on Larbaud's translations of Samuel Butler. Retiring from university teaching in 1980, Allison Connell returned to Woodstock, New Brunswick. He continued his literary work as an independent scholar. During this time he completed a translation of Mondo and Other Stories by Le Clézio. He continued his study of Larbaud, which has now been brought to completion with the publication of The Translations of Valery Larbaud. Since returning to Woodstock, Allison Connell has been active in heritage preservation. He initiated and conducted a three-year project that documented the town's architectural heritage. He is the author of A View of Woodstock: Historic Homes of the Nineteenth Century, which is now in its second edition. He has long been active in New Brunswick movements to conserve and protect the province's natural environments and to advance its transition to renewable energy.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chapel Street Editions
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1988299217
• ISBN 13: 9781988299211
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224