Have you ever feared that, while publishing yet another edition of a popular classic, a tiny part of the text is deleted/changed and no one notices? And that that mistake is replicated in yet another e- or paper-edition, like a game of Chinese whispers?
What’s the most reliable digital source of a classic? Is there a central organization that holds a version taken by academics from the author’s own papers that becomes the basis for all editions thereafter? Something similar to the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in France that holds the prototype meter bar and kilo?
The things that keep me awake at night…
But you know what they say: just because you’re paranoid it doesn’t mean they’re not really after you. And I’ve found proof there are differences between editions of our beloved classics. Pride and Prejudice none the less!
For my birthday this year I received four beautiful editions of P&P: one in Chinese and one in French for my collection and two in English: an illustrated edition by the Collector’s Library and a gorgeous pink “faux leather” Canterbury Classics edition.
Here’s what I found in this last one:
(Canterbury Classics edition)
“What are young men to rocks and mountains?”
If you’re a Janeite you’ll see immediately a word that doesn’t belong. It should simply be “What are men to rocks and mountains?” I probably would never noticed if it hadn’t happen in such a famous sentence.
(Collector’s Library edition)
This makes me ask a lot of questions: how many of these go unnoticed? Who decided to add that word and why? Did he/she feel that older men should be excluded from the comparison? “Let me make it better”?
I have to admit it’s pretty fascinating the thought of someone out there tweaking the classics. Like something out of a Saramago novel. Reminds me of the Spanish lady who “restored” the 19th century church painting. Like many others, one day I’ll make a big detour just to admire her art work.
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October 8, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Jay
This topic fascinates me as well. I admit I hadn’t given it too much thought until the past year or two though, after I met a local professor who is the director of The Center for Ray Bradbury Studies here in town. He had a name for the investigative process for things like this, which is a large part of what he does. I can’t remember the exact term, but “forensic” was in there somewhere… Interesting post – and great to have you back!
October 9, 2013 at 8:15 am
heidenkind
I am going to be totally paranoid about this now…
October 9, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Col (Col Reads)
Great post! I’ve run into this recently trying to decide which version of Samuel Pepys Diary to download for the Classics Club. Apparently, Pepys wrote the naughty bits in code, and there’s no agreement on the key. So every version has made decisions about what to leave in and what to leave out. There’s no definitive version, that I can find. It’s making me nuts!
October 9, 2013 at 8:12 pm
farmlanebooks
Well spotted! I’d love to know if that change was deliberate or accidental.