Clear Voices

A personal selection of 68 poems translated from the Russian. The translator A. S. Kline was conscious, in producing this personal selection of Russian poetry, of the way in which all the poets take on the voice of the translator, and thus their specific individuality is lost. It is a problem associated with the very act of translation. The reader is encouraged to sample as many different alternative versions of these poets as possible, and thereby try to realise the individual flavour of each poet for herself or himself. If there is a theme that unites this selection, it is the nature of the true Russian spirit itself, its clarity, and uncompromising passion, and its triumphant survival, often against the odds.