Joseph Luzzi's Translation of Dante's Vita Nuova Reviewed in Open Letters Review
Joseph Luzzi. Photo by Helena Baillie
Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature Joseph Luzzi’s translation of Dante’s Vita Nuova was reviewed by Steve Donoghue for the Open Letters Review. The new translation was published on December 3 by W.W. Norton’s imprint Liveright. Donoghue’s short review focuses on how Luzzi adapts Dante’s sometimes mystifying prose work. Donoghue notes that translators of the Vita Nuova have been surprised and “slightly taunted” by the work, and that “Luzzi aims for clarity without slavish stylistic imitation, [likening] his translation process to laying a transparent film over Dante’s text.” Luzzi’s “leaner” translation, he writes, is one reason readers can appreciate his updated, more modern version.
Luzzi has taught at Bard since 2002, and his previous book Botticelli’s Secret: The Lost Drawings and the Rediscovery of the Renaissance was named one of the New Yorker’s Best Books of 2022.
Post Date: 12-02-2024
Luzzi has taught at Bard since 2002, and his previous book Botticelli’s Secret: The Lost Drawings and the Rediscovery of the Renaissance was named one of the New Yorker’s Best Books of 2022.
Post Date: 12-02-2024