After working on my translation of The Brothers Karamazov, I’m excited to announce that I’ve now also completed a Swedish translation of Crime and Punishment! Or, Brott och Straff, as we say in Swedish. This has been an incredible journey, taking on another of Dostoevsky’s masterpieces, which hasn’t seen a Swedish translation in 40 years. What began as a way to ease off and take a break when The Brothers Karamazov felt too overwhelming, gradually evolved into a full translation of Crime and Punishment.
My goal with Crime and Punishment was to not only provide a faithful translation but also to offer detailed notes and commentary to help readers navigate Dostoevsky’s intricate and intense world. The novel dives into deep philosophical themes like guilt, redemption, and the human psyche, and I wanted to ensure that Swedish readers could experience these with fresh clarity. In fact, my translation includes 168 notes, drawing from the insights of scholars such as Michael Katz, Deborah A. Martinsen, and Robert Guay, to deepen the reader’s understanding of Dostoevsky’s work.
Although I don’t speak Russian fluently, I’ve continued to rely on expert English translations, along with these noted scholars’ analyses, to capture the essence of the novel. Just as I did with The Brothers Karamazov, I’ve cross-referenced my work with earlier Swedish translations to maintain fidelity while offering something new for today’s readers.
You can read about my earlier translation of The Brothers Karamazov here.
For now, my Crime and Punishment translation remains in its first version, awaiting the insights of editors and specialists to bring it closer to publication. I’m thrilled to share this milestone and look forward to making Dostoevsky’s work more accessible to Swedish readers.
Här kan du läsa första delens två första kapitel för att se hur jag har översatt boken (pdf).
