Faust (Oxford World's Classics)

The translation is extremely well done. The introduction is very insightful without spoiling the content of the book. I was very much moved by the translator's descriptions of Goethe's inner world and, by placing it in a historical context, it was not a bit boring, but very interesting. I love the style of translation, which was very creative, poetic, lyrical, and fluent. I read Part Two of Faust when I was in high school, but it is so refreshing to read it again at 65 with this new translation. Thank you very much.

I don't know German, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the this translation. I can say that it is a wonderfully readable work in English. The annotations are very helpful.

It is Goethe's philosophy of life that I was attracted. Because I thought that it penetrates into the story deeply. I am very interested in knowing whether Goethe believed the soul and a spiritual world. Faust is love with the beautiful woman of Helena in the ancient Greece. Thus Foust let Mephistopheles show in ancient Greece. In other words it is a spiritual world. Otherwise it is the world of the fantasy. Faust meets the animal that the face is a person, and the body is a horse. His name is called Chiron. It is said that he has given Helena a ride on his horseback. So Faust has a ride in his horseback. The scene which comes across Chiron. 【On the earth I hear a drumming As of hurried hoof-beats coming. Far off I see Good luck approaching me. Can this already be My wondorous destny? It is a horseman; I can tell That he is bold and wise as well The steed he rides is gleaming white... I recognize him - I am right- Philyra's great and famous son! Stop, Chiron, stop! I have to speak to you.... 】 Last words of the Faust story is very splendid. All that must disappear is but a parable. This way of thinking resemles Oriental Buddhology.

I have always hated Faust II. It seems like I've put it down more times than I've picked it up. The writing style is overtly florid and there are moments in the text where I honestly could just not figure what was going on. Obscure references to Classical and Teutonic Mythology always went over my head - and I honestly hate using guides. It made reading the play feel more like a slog or a chore than anything. Apparently I'm not alone - it's one of the most ignored and infrequently taught works of Weimar Classicism. I still think the work is overrated and at times, pretentious, but parts of it are stunningly beautiful. The able translation and scholarship of the introduction and copious notes make the play more accessible. Luke has really done a commendable job on a difficult text. I think footnotes would've been preferable to endnotes as I hate incessantly flipping back and forth. Also, the corresponding German text on the opposing page (like what Signet did with Faust I) would've been nice. It's good to get a feeling for Goethe's actual language - it really is quite beautiful. Something still gets lost in translation even though Luke is much more poetic than many other translators. Also, the mythology guide in the back is a great idea. It's certainly still not a book for the Oprah's book club crowd as it's still a difficult book, but lit buffs who've been turned off to Faust II should give this edition another shot. Even though it's not perfect (no facing text or footnotes), this is the best translation/edition of Faust II I've ever seen. Luke should be commended. Highly Recommended for the literature buff. Recommended for the scholar, perhaps in conjunction with an edition with facing text.

David Luke's translation and very valuable commentary gives real insight into the evolution of Part 2, and its relationship to Part 1, which was published much earlier. While giving due weight to Goethe's genius, Luke has open eyes, and never falls into the trap of being obsequious. I felt that I came away from reading Luke's translation with much greater insight into both the greatness and the baffling aspects of this incredible work.

I am in a study group. The book works perfectly for this. I'm sorry that it isn't convenient for me to take a photo. It looks like it did on the Amazon web site.

I enjoyed this classic with a clear understanding of the evil temptations in the world versus the beauty of remorseful penance gaining the glory of heaven! I was also fascinated with the perfection of poetry!

I have never been enjoyed reading a book more than this. For someone who got no idea how to access a classical western novel, this book can be your choice. The first part consists the introduction of the background for how Goethe has been writing and its ordering for each scene. If you have finished this edition on Part one, there is no reason to not being continue on the second half.

I read this in one of my university English courses and I liked it. I always wanted to own Faust I. Such a great masterpiece.

I really liked Part 1 but couldn't stand Part 2. It was hard to follow what was happening, and it didn't have much to do with the book that it's supposed to be the sequel of. The dialogue was convoluted, and it was a book that revolved around Greek mythology - not what I wanted to read. It was extremely boring and a chore to get through. And I was really disappointed in the childish, Christian, fairy-tale ending.

Just like Faust Book One, this is another great read, but once again it is let down by the Kindle version which is so poorly formatted the line reference numbers obscure the text and it's full of typos, spelling mistakes and missing punctuation!

i was really waiting for it, thanks

Just what I wanted , at a good price. THANK YOU