translations Archives - Page 2 of 10 - The Libertarian Labyrinth

Louise Michel as a Fiction Writer / The Claque-Dents

October 27, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

One of the results of my continuing research on anarchism is that I occasionally find whole new genres of anarchist writing opening up in front of me. And recently, between my work on radical feminist writing and my work on the intersection of science fiction and fantasy and radicalism, I’ve been spending a lot of time reading, researching and translating fiction. A work like Jean Grave’s The Adventures of Nono is relatively unique as a children’s story, but the number of adult novels—including some that are very adult—written by anarchists is very large. One of the prolific novel-writers was Louise […]

Jean Grave, The Adventures of Nono — Chapter VIII

October 24, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

THE ADVENTURES OF NONO by JEAN GRAVE [continued from Chapter VII] VIII THE SCHOOL Rising from the table, the children scattered on the lawn, where they organized all sorts of games. Nono, coming back down from his room, came to mingle with them. But a group of young ladies, from five to seven years old, wanted him to commence his lesson on the art of weaving flowers, and he acceded to their desire. It is in the midst of this group that, an hour later, Hans, Mab and company came to look for him. “We’re going to school,” they said […]

Jean Grave, The Adventures of Nono — Chapter VII

October 21, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

THE ADVENTURES OF NONO by JEAN GRAVE [continued from Chapter VI] VII LABOR IN AUTONOMIE It was broad daylight, the next day, whenNono was awakened by a band of his comrades who had invaded his bedroom. “Boo! lazybones,” said Mab, mocking him. “the idler who still sleeps and the sun that dazzles him. Yoo-hoo! “Come on! Get up,” said Hans, “we came to get you to go gardening.” “No,” said Mab, he promised last night to come with me and see the cows milked. I’ll take him”. Nono rose briskly, put on his trousers, dressing in the blink of an […]

Jean Grave, The Adventures of Nono — Chapter VI

October 15, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

THE ADVENTURES OF NONO by JEAN GRAVE [continued from Chapter V] VI THE END OF THE EVENING The children rushed to the sheds where the tools and props were kept, and there, helped by Labor, and some of his little genies, they pulled poles and canvas from it, and carried them onto the esplanade. There they raised an immense, square tent, facing the front steps, which would serve as bleachers for the spectators. Nono was amazed to see Labor’s elves rush about; with their help, the heaviest poles were raised by half a dozen of infants without more effort […]

Jean Grave, The Adventures of Nono — Chapter V

September 23, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

THE ADVENTURES OF NONO by JEAN GRAVE [continued from Chapter IV] V GLUTTONY PUNISHED The castle that the children headed towards stood on a broad, well-sanded esplanade, cut through large lawns, some of which were planted with trees. Under these trees those not at work harvesting fruit, or milking cows, had set some large, square tables, which, this evening, in honor of the new arrival, on been arrange end to end, but were ordinary set up apart from one another, covered with fine tablecloths, bearing plates and dishes embellished with simple designs in raw tones. Chairs indicated the place […]

Five-sixths of a Smart Set set

September 11, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

Over at From the Libertarian Library, I’ve added translations of two more of the short stories by Han Ryner published in French in The Smart Set: “The Cheapskate” (1913) “The Paradox” (1913) “The Secret of Don Juan” (1915) “Deo Optimo Maximo” (1919) “The Little Exile” (1920) Of the new pieces, one revolves around a bit of wordplay which translates fairly well, and the other is rather opaque in any language. All are entertaining, and together I think they give some indication of Ryner’s breadth as a writer of fiction. The sixth story was not available online, and I’ve sent of […]

Jean Grave, The Adventures of Nono — Chapter IV

September 9, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

THE ADVENTURES OF NONO by JEAN GRAVE [continued from Chapter III] IV IN THE COUNTRY OF AUTONOMY The sun continued its course. If he did not want to let himself by caught by nightfall in his solitude, it was necessary that our wanderer not let himself be beaten down by sadness. He must, on the contrary, summon all his energy and get on his way again. So, shaking his head, as a sign of his resolution and to chase away unwelcome ideas, he got up to resume his journey, but not before tying up two of the baskets of […]

Jean Grave, The Adventures of Nono — Chapter III

September 7, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

THE ADVENTURES OF NONO by JEAN GRAVE [continued from Chapter II] III WE LEARN BY TRAVELING The reflections of our little friend were not cheerful: In what country was he? Would he find something to eat? Was he doomed to die of hunger, or, like a new Robinson Crusoe, would he be forced to make the best of his life, far from every companion? Robinson, in his shipwreck, had been able to save weapons, tools, and provisions. He had landed on an island stocked with game and edible fruits. In his walk Nono had seen nothing edible, apart from […]

Jean Grave, The Adventures of Nono — Chapter II

September 3, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

[I ended up neglecting The Adventures of Nono for longer than I had intended, while some other projects came together, but it’s time to return to our anarchist children’s novel.] THE ADVENTURES OF NONO by JEAN GRAVE [continued from Chapter I] II. FIRST ADVENTURES When Nono awoke, it was broad daylight. But, surprisingly, instead of being in his bed he was lying on a lawn thick, filled with flowers raising their petalsover the green grass. The sun lit up that place, making the floral colors gleam, shimmering off the variegated wings of the countless insects that fluttering in its […]

Han Ryner, “The Secret of Don Juan” (1915)

July 20, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur

[I’m working my way through the translation of six shorts stories by Han Ryner, published in French in The Smart Set between July 1913 and January 1920. These initial translation are definitely rough, “working” versions, as I get better acquainted with the peculiarities of Ryner’s style. But I think even the rough renditions give a good indication of what is interesting about the works. For those unfamiliar with the Don Juan story, or who need a refresher, this will probably help.] THE SECRET OF DON JUAN By Han Ryner All of the accounts of the interview of Don Juanand the […]