In a bold move, a Melbourne IT worker has given Leo Tolstoy's classic novel, War & Peace, a hilarious and unexpected twist. But this isn't your typical translation; it's a 'bogan' version that will have you laughing out loud! Imagine the elegant world of Russian aristocracy being retold with the colorful language of an Aussie sitcom.
The translator, Ander Louis (a pseudonym for Andrew Tesoriero), has taken the literary masterpiece and transformed it into a pub-worthy tale. He began this project as a joke, turning princes into 'drongos' and princesses into 'sheilas'. But what started as a personal amusement is now gaining serious attention, and Louis is on the brink of signing a book deal.
The term 'bogan', which emerged in the 1980s, has evolved from its initial negative connotation of an uncultured person. Louis embraces it as a term of endearment, using it to bridge the gap between the elite world of War & Peace and the everyday Australian.
Louis' version is filled with cheeky phrases like 'fair dinkum' for a noble and 'he's cactus' to announce a character's death. He believes this translation is about being lighthearted and irreverent, capturing the essence of surprise with a simple 'bloody hell'.
What makes this project even more fascinating is Louis' journey with the novel. He initially avoided War & Peace due to its intimidating length, but in 2016, he joined an online community that motivated him to read it in a year. He loved it so much that he read it twice, becoming an accidental expert.
As a part-time indie author, Louis found himself writing a dark psychological novel and turned to War & Peace for comic relief, making it funny and irreverent. For years, this project remained a secret hobby, with Louis self-publishing the first two translated books and selling a few copies.
But fate had other plans. Earlier this year, a tech writer from New York discovered Louis' bogan version and shared excerpts online, describing Napoleon as a decent guy and Princess Bolkónskaya as stunning. The internet went wild, and Louis sold 50 copies overnight.
Louis attributes this success to the 'Bluey effect', where the popularity of an Australian cartoon in the US has sparked an interest in Aussie culture. He argues that 'bogan' is a great equalizer, transcending social classes and even countries.
Mark Gwynn, a senior researcher at the Australian National University, agrees. He explains that bogans can be rich or poor, and it's more about their behavior, style, and language. Gwynn notes that 'bogan' can be used affectionately, even as self-identification, and 'bogan Australian' is understood as highly informal slang.
Louis' diverse background, from kitchen hand to punk rocker, makes him uniquely qualified for this translation. His characters greet with 'g'day', call friends 'mates', and describe unethical people as 'shonky'. Beautiful women are 'chicky babes', and one prince is a 'true-blue legend' with eyes like a bushfire.
While Louis' version includes profanity, it's all in the name of accessibility. Readers appreciate how much easier it is to understand the complex story. Louis identifies with Pierre, the 'everyman' protagonist, feeling like an outsider in the traditional publishing world, yet daring to take on a literary giant.
What would Tolstoy think of this bogan version? Louis believes he'd find it amusing. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this a brilliant modernization or a disrespectful parody? You decide. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
