Nay Rather (Volume 21) (Cahiers)

This is a beautiful book in every respect that I can think of. Beginning with the physical, it's extremely satisfyingly apt: size, shape, heft, austerity of presentation. The drawings and gouaches by Lanfranco Quadrio are not only perfect "translations" of a work about translation, but they have a loveliness that invites the eye and mind to read the book the best possible way -- by deliciously pausing for spontaneous reflection. This is a book that works: it may end up actually adding to your store of experiential knowledge. Plus it's wickedly entertaining.The scholar will be satisfied by the prose narrative about the nature of cliche; the poet will be satyisfied by the complementary poem that seems to be made of shattered fragments of an ancient original; the translator will be satisfied by Carson's honest and blazing insights, and everyone will be delighted by her various "translations" of an ancient Greek poem at the end of the book. Not only was my brain and spirit satisfied with this book, but somehow my stomach was too. Shakespeare can do that, why not Anne Carson?

Anne Carson's books are wonderful, and her recent pamphlets/cahiers/unbound work have been equally enjoyable, and certainly of the length which leaves one wanting more! If you have not looked at The Albertine Workout, that is also a very wise investment in Anne Carson's œuvre.Nay Rather contains only 3 works, but they are all worth reading: her Variations on a Right to Remain Silent, her By Chance the Cycladic People, and her translations of an ancient greek poet whose phrase "Nay rather" gives its title to the cahier. Each one is enjoyable, enriching, and patently within Carson's sphinx-like style. It's always a riddle, it's always a thrill.

A wonderful essay on translation. Fabulous thoughts to chew on by authors, readers and translators alike. Plus this is a gorgeous publication on beautiful paper and with fabulous images. A real pearl.

Like everything I've ever read by this author: moving and brilliant

A slim volume (but then also an inexpensive one) an interesting juxtaposition of texts by the brilliant Anne Carson :)