In regard to The Book of Disquiet, definitely Richard Zenith's. He seems to be considered the foremost scholar of Pessoa, at least in the English-speaking world, although when it comes to his heteronyms, I've only read translations by a lady called Costa whose first name escapes. From what I understand, her translations are more accurate while Zenith's are more readable. Regardless, I thoroughly recommend.
For the BD, I would check out the samples of both Zenith and Costa. The former may be the main Pessoa scholar, but I personally find Costa much more of a joy to read. She has a better ear in my opinion, but I don’t know Portuguese, so maybe Zenith is more accurate. I have read both, and there are some passages that I love in Costa’s but that do nothing for me in Zenith’s. But Pessoa is such a beast that it often doesn’t matter how he’s translated.
Costa and Ferrari also have a translation of the completed works of Alberto Caeiro, which is amazing. If you like poetry, that’s a great collection—though it’s only one heteronym.
Yeah, he really is a beast; some almost unbelievably impactful lines. Interesting what you say about Costa, perhaps I should give her translation another try. Certainly, everything I’ve read in terms of her work with Pessoa’s heteronyms have all been great, particularly when you consider they kind of mammoth undertaking that must have been.
It is essays like this that remind me how little I know about anything, but I am more saddened for the likes of Pessoa than encouraged by his mistaken insight. I perceive that the problem with "I" is the I. When we look at the world we can be self absorbed or open eyed with wonder. In religious circles they say that God is continually "self revealing", but again the problem is that we have to be searching for God in order for him to be seen. For me it is easy to see God in his creation, especially in his masterpiece of humanity from the most simple to the most exemplary, for I already know that like myself we are unable to be perfected, except by Him. Pessoa was searching for answers within himself and there are none, for God made us to be lovers of others, which is how love grows - infinitely. Why settle for less when the abundance is there for the taking, with the overwhelming assistance from the very source of Love, which is God.
Which translation do you recommend?
In regard to The Book of Disquiet, definitely Richard Zenith's. He seems to be considered the foremost scholar of Pessoa, at least in the English-speaking world, although when it comes to his heteronyms, I've only read translations by a lady called Costa whose first name escapes. From what I understand, her translations are more accurate while Zenith's are more readable. Regardless, I thoroughly recommend.
For the BD, I would check out the samples of both Zenith and Costa. The former may be the main Pessoa scholar, but I personally find Costa much more of a joy to read. She has a better ear in my opinion, but I don’t know Portuguese, so maybe Zenith is more accurate. I have read both, and there are some passages that I love in Costa’s but that do nothing for me in Zenith’s. But Pessoa is such a beast that it often doesn’t matter how he’s translated.
Costa and Ferrari also have a translation of the completed works of Alberto Caeiro, which is amazing. If you like poetry, that’s a great collection—though it’s only one heteronym.
Yeah, he really is a beast; some almost unbelievably impactful lines. Interesting what you say about Costa, perhaps I should give her translation another try. Certainly, everything I’ve read in terms of her work with Pessoa’s heteronyms have all been great, particularly when you consider they kind of mammoth undertaking that must have been.
It is essays like this that remind me how little I know about anything, but I am more saddened for the likes of Pessoa than encouraged by his mistaken insight. I perceive that the problem with "I" is the I. When we look at the world we can be self absorbed or open eyed with wonder. In religious circles they say that God is continually "self revealing", but again the problem is that we have to be searching for God in order for him to be seen. For me it is easy to see God in his creation, especially in his masterpiece of humanity from the most simple to the most exemplary, for I already know that like myself we are unable to be perfected, except by Him. Pessoa was searching for answers within himself and there are none, for God made us to be lovers of others, which is how love grows - infinitely. Why settle for less when the abundance is there for the taking, with the overwhelming assistance from the very source of Love, which is God.