If This Be Magic

The Unlikely Art of Shakespeare in Translation

(Author) Daniel Hahn
Format: HardCover
£25.00 Price: £24.23 (3% off)
In Stock
Generally dispatched in 1 to 2 days

Why might Hamlet be even longer in Italian? How does the story of Romeo and Juliet begin . . . in Thai? How do you build a joke in German, or recreate a rhyme in Japanese? And why are Lady Macbeth's pronouns such a problem?What does it mean to translate Shakespeare? When we change all the poetry, all the wordplay, all the syntax - all the words! - is it still Shakespeare? And is it still any good? Daniel Hahn, seasoned translator and Shakespeare fanatic, will change the way you think about language itself. Ranging widely across Shakespeare's works, and across the world's languages, this book explores why we choose the words we do and what effect they have. No knowledge of any particular language is required, though a bit of patience for the nerdiest of close reading is desirable. This micro-attention to detail reveals anew the joy of Shakespeare, celebrates creativity and revels in the power of words.

Information
Publisher:
Canongate Books
Format:
HardCover
Language:
en
ISBN:
9781805301622
Publish year:
2026
Publish date:
April 9, 2026

Daniel Hahn

Daniel Hahn is a British writer, editor, and translator known for his translation work on numerous acclaimed literary works. With a focus on bringing diverse voices to English-speaking audiences, Hahn's translations have contributed greatly to the global appreciation of literature. His dedication to linguistic accuracy and cultural sensitivity sets him apart in the world of literary translation.

Reviews

Leave a review

Please login to leave a review.

Be the first to review this product

Other related

Worlds of Wonder

Worlds of Wonder

Celebrating the Great Classics of Children's Literature

Daniel Hahn
HardCover
Published: 2025
Daytoner

Daytoner

Daniel Hahn
HardCover
Published: 2024
The Ultimate First Book Guide

The Ultimate First Book Guide

Daniel Hahn
Paperback
Published: 2008
William Blake and The Sea Monsters of Love

William Blake and The Sea Monsters of Love

Philip Hoare
Paperback
Published: 2026
Shakespeare’s Strong Women

Shakespeare’s Strong Women

Royal Shakespeare Company
HardCover
Published: 2026
Macbeth

Macbeth

Full Play with Annotations and Key Quotations

William Shakespeare
Paperback
Published: 2026
Hard Streets

Hard Streets

Working-Class Lives in Charlie Chaplin’s London

Jacqueline Riding
HardCover
Published: 2026
The Gap of Time

The Gap of Time

The Winter's Tale, Retold

Jeanette Winterson
Paperback
Published: 2026
New Boy

New Boy

Othello, Retold

Tracy Chevalier
Paperback
Published: 2026