Unfortunately I cannot speak on the subject of Russian nor French in terms of literature, will take me years to learn them to use in such way but I do plan to, but I absolutely agree with your take on English Faust, as a reader who mainly reads in Polish. I find Polish absolutely beautiful, it is a work of art, and a godlike one, to me in terms of literature language but I do came to prefer reading in English in some kinds of literature. This applies to works such as writing of Bukowski where the language being more direct only helps in experiencing the writing as it should be - direct.
Altough I'm kind of a language purist (I just hate reading translations, I can't cope with the feeling that it is not wrote the way the author originally thought it out to be, and yes, because of that I read Sheakspeare in original two years ago struggling with many pages but still had way more pleasure out of it. That is why it pains me so much that I can't read in Russian or French.) I came to liking many of Polish translations. The language is just so suited for literature in its current form I cannot be protesting. This of course depends on how well the translator does his job. But we have many great ones who I would definitely not speak a bad word about.
Also, on the topic of philosophy, I personally enjoy getting philosophy out of essays as much as I enjoy getting it out from literature. I treat it in absolutely different ways. The philosophy I find in books is to me something more personal, indentificable with, and stone written in most cases. But when I read philosophic essays I treat the writing as a, for a lack of better word, science. It is somebody's wisdom and thoughts written down in form that is meant to be rather impersonalized and made to argue with. That's why I see them both perfectly able to coexist and bring as much pleasure and last but not least purpose.
Currently taking a break for serious books and finishing the latest Pratchett, I think the English title is Snuff. Always been a fan of his writing, the one set in Discworld that is, never really read anything disconnect with this series. So light (although as he gets older and his heavy disease progresses it does get less and less lighthearted), easy and fun to read and well packed with that british sense of humor Monthy Pyton was loved for. And he seems like a really nice person, wouldn't mind having a talk with him if I had a chance.
Altough I'm kind of a language purist (I just hate reading translations, I can't cope with the feeling that it is not wrote the way the author originally thought it out to be, and yes, because of that I read Sheakspeare in original two years ago struggling with many pages but still had way more pleasure out of it. That is why it pains me so much that I can't read in Russian or French.) I came to liking many of Polish translations. The language is just so suited for literature in its current form I cannot be protesting. This of course depends on how well the translator does his job. But we have many great ones who I would definitely not speak a bad word about.
Also, on the topic of philosophy, I personally enjoy getting philosophy out of essays as much as I enjoy getting it out from literature. I treat it in absolutely different ways. The philosophy I find in books is to me something more personal, indentificable with, and stone written in most cases. But when I read philosophic essays I treat the writing as a, for a lack of better word, science. It is somebody's wisdom and thoughts written down in form that is meant to be rather impersonalized and made to argue with. That's why I see them both perfectly able to coexist and bring as much pleasure and last but not least purpose.
Currently taking a break for serious books and finishing the latest Pratchett, I think the English title is Snuff. Always been a fan of his writing, the one set in Discworld that is, never really read anything disconnect with this series. So light (although as he gets older and his heavy disease progresses it does get less and less lighthearted), easy and fun to read and well packed with that british sense of humor Monthy Pyton was loved for. And he seems like a really nice person, wouldn't mind having a talk with him if I had a chance.
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