Question about edited and 'retold' or 'adapted' publications

[Moeman]

I picked up a copy of Moby Dick from the library but I noticed that it is marked with something like 'adapted by' or 'story retold by'. What does this mean exactly. I understand the importance in certain cases to widen the appeal and accessibility of stories to ordinary readers but sometimes people want to read the real thing, that is, the thing in its original form as it was written for the first time. The book wasn't even placed under the name of the original author Herman Melville but some other dude which is one of the reasons i didn't even bother to borrow it.

How can you tell when you pick up a publication of one of Shakespeare's plays if it has been edited and to what extent. Are all books required to mention how the text has been altered from the original, or is it sometimes edited without mention of it? If this is the case then I think it's a major problem as readers will be reading something other than what they intend to read. Some people like the original stuff you know, despite it being more difficult to follow.

[barbara0207]

Sometimes classics are retold in a simpler language, usually for children or for foreign language learners. Thus the story is reduced to the action as philosophical and descriptive parts are left out as well. In most cases the simplification doesn't do the work any good; that is why I avoid reading those work with my students. It is often better for them to wait until they can understand the original.

But you can always be sure that the editor tells you whether a work has been abridged or adapted. It's a requirement for publishers.

[Midas]

".....Some people like the original stuff you know, despite it being more difficult to follow....."

And some people don't. So there is a market for books simplified. While there's a market, there will be those who cater for it.

Writers can also copyright their rendition of a work out of copyright in its original form. It doesn't require much thought, as in thinking out plot, just a skill in editing. To me. easy money for those who take this up.

I would think it would particularly appeal to writers who are bilingual, and translate a British or American classic into their own native language, and also in English. Haven't checked, but I guess there are enough at it to meet the market - especially in these days of low cost printing.

Another market for the simplified versions are for students who have 'must read' books' or who just want, or need, to get a broad idea of many authors' works, especially of ones who would not otherwise really appeal.

Many Victorian, and pre Victorian writers were also far too wordy in their writing. They had far more time on their hands. less distractions - no radio, or TV, and they were catering for people likewise - as in plenty of time on their hands, and who were well educated when so many working people could not even write their own name - check some old wedding certificates and see - Jane Smith (her mark) followed by a cross.

As an additional prompted thought:-

Many people do not like history from the way it was often dished up at school. They saw little use for it in their lives. However, I have found researching my family history, and reading of the social conditions of the times in which they lived, helped me to appreciate, and understand their lives much more. You also get to understand the influences on the writers of that time - as in what was topical, fashionable, and 'newsable' (don't look that word up in a dictionary) to them.