unholy bronze toaster

[incandescens]

I believe we actually had a few drops of rain earlier this evening. I can hope that this means an actual change in weather. (I can hope, I said. Spare my poor hopes.)

Have been having far too much fun reading Katherine Liang Chew's translation of Tales of the Teahouse Retold (Investiture of the Gods). The English varies; it may be accurate, but the choice of words shifts between classical to slangy to just plain not quite right. Still. Good story. Good read. Classic.

---

As he entered the Nine Hall Court, Grand Old Master saw inch-thick dust and the mountain-high unread memos. He pointed to the unholy bronze toaster in the corner and asked, "What is it?"

-- Tales of the Teahouse Retold, Katherine Liang Chew

Comments

[rvdammit.livejournal.com]

I believe we actually had a few drops of rain earlier this evening.

You lucky bunny. Although it feels like it might chuck it down here today.

[kit-hartford.livejournal.com]

I believe we actually had a few drops of rain earlier this evening. I can hope that this means an actual change in weather.

Well, we had torrential rain on Sunday (not long after the temperature peaked around 38) but it didn't help much. Yes, the temperature decreased a little but the humidity soared. However, here in London it *is* much more bearable today ...

[liralen.livejournal.com]

Hey! I have that book!

And some of the translation oddities may be due to the fact that she was translating the book for her children, who, occassionally, were the ones to pick the less traditional names for some of the characters. *grin*

Fun stuff, though.

Good luck with the rain! We need some, too.

[incandescens]

Yes -- I got it because I saw it mentioned in your own blog/lj. ;) The names for children makes a lot of sense, in some ways. And it is a fun read, it's just that the English is occasionally a little, um, unfelicitious. But still fun. ("I'll roast your bones with my Triple Fire Whammy, Daiji!")

[liralen.livejournal.com]

Ah ha! *grin* Wow. Now I'm looking forward to reading this...

[space-parasite.livejournal.com]

So what you're saying is that the Cheapass game "The Big Idea" is actually an ancient Chinese invention?

"It's like a device for making bread crispy... that's made out of an alloy of copper and tin.. that's also a crime against nature! It's UNHOLY BRONZE TOASTER! Who wants to invest?"

[incandescens]

Well, in this case, it's a device for making ministers crispy if they try to convey to the king that perhaps he should tone down on the staggering expenditure, the drunkenness, the cavorting with women, the extravagant parties, the lakes of wine . . .