I really found these readings enjoyable. It was interesting to hear the behind-the scenes work of the translators and what thought processes go towards making a final decision. Especially for Rubin and Gabriel, I found it fascinating that they both had slightly different versions of Murakami's work simply because they had different interpretations of the context. I know translating novels is especially hard since not only are the words put into English, but the translators have to figure out how to also translate the culture. What I found most remarkable was that one of the translators noted that even if the translation is different than the original, as long as it moves you in some way as it would in the native language, then the author's essence is not lost.
It was also really interesting to read what Lesser, as a reader with a preference for one translating style had to say about the process. I think she noted that author's voices usually get blended with the translator's as the stories evolve, and the final version ends up as something different than what the story sounds like in the native language, but also a different version that the translator wants to convey to a totally different audience.
I think the only perspective that I would've liked to hear is Murakami's. It would be fascinating to hear what he thinks about his translated works and if they've been able to convey his stories in a way that both caters to that specific audience but also gets his message across.
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