F*ck, all those years down the drain!

A currently-popular literary theory (strongly espoused by Jorge Luis Borges, whose translation of Kafka's Metamorphosis was highly influential to Marques) is that the translation of a literary work is, in fact, a brand new literary work authored by the translator. The fact that languages don't line up one-to-one, and the fact that language (and literature) is deeply entwined with culture, means that the translator has to make a lot of creative decisions when translating, and that the final product can never be a 'perfect' reproduction of the original text.

It's not necessarily about enjoyment, as it is about reading what the author wrote as opposed to what the translator wrote. But this also means that sometimes, the translated work is a good work in its own right and worth reading (Borges once said "The original is not faithful to the translation"). So, it really depends on a lot of things. But for Marques in particular, his works are very tied to Spanish culture so even as an outsider, learning Spanish and reading the originals still isn't quite the same as reading them as a Spaniard.

Depends very much on the writing style. Some authors don't use a lot of fancy, poetic language.

For instance, reading a translation of the Da Vinci Code, Hunger Games or Harry Potter, you're probably not missing out on anything. Reading translation of pretty much all poetry, you're missing out on everything.

There's a whole spectrum there in between.

How well you speak that other language? Unless you speak really well, it is likely you get more from translation.

I've never read Journey to The End of The Night in French but it's my absolute favorite novel. I wonder about that as well. I am always quite specific about recommending the Ralph Mannheim translation.

Similarly, I had a copy of Rimbaud's works which I was completely in love with. I moved back to the US and for the life of me cannot find the same translation. The ones I have found are somewhat limp in comparison.

One day I would like to learn both French and Spanish well enough to read Borges and Celine in their original, if for no other reason than to see if the Journey I know is that much different than the original.

I've been told that the translation of Bulgakov's Master and Margarita that I'm currently reading (along with its copious translators' contextual footnotes) makes the novel eminently more reading than previous translation, which was apparently much more stilted.

I read a translation of Great Expectations in simplified English and it seemed pretty boring.

I wonder if the Count of Monte Cristo is even better in French.

You can certainly enjoy the stories, but I think interesting books add something to they way a particular language is used. That's what I like about Saramago and Rushdie, for instance. These are the types of authors I like to read out loud.