[Rachel Hadas]

Tim,

I have been most impressed by what I've seen in the Bakeoff. Hadn't thought (for some reason) of wondering what my father's thoughts would be, but it's worth pondering. These are, by and large, excellent translations that give the lie to the dichotomy between beauty and accuracy.

More as more occurs to me, perhaps. One thought: my father and John Mclean in 1936 translated 10 plays of Euripides into serviceable prose, as a sort of antidote to Gilbert Murray (see my essay "The Many Lives of Moses Hadas" on www.rachelhadas.com). Moses thought Murray's Swinburnian floweriness was an added strike against the hapless reader, perhaps on the G.I. Bill, making his way through tragedy in translation.

Thanks for writing.

Rachel

[Rose Kelleher]

I just checked, and sure enough, my "Ten Plays by Euripedes" is the Moses Hadad translation. Small world! I'm glad I didn't cluelessly buy the flowery version.

Welcome, Rachel.

[Seree Zohar]

A warm welcome from me too; what a privilege to have you here, and looking forward to your feedback and the chance to learn.

[Catherine Chandler]

How wonderful to have Rachel Hadas as our Distinguished Guest. Welcome!

[Lance Levens]

What a priviledge! I'm looking forward to the translations and the comments. Welcome to the Sphere, Rachel!