French Translations and Translators of Stevenson

This chapter examines the earliest French translations of Stevenson’s works and charts his publishing history in France during the Third Republic. It documents both serialisation and bound books and analyses the literary-historical circumstances why some books were translated before others. It presents the translators and publishers who brought Stevenson’s writing to French readers, and it shows how Stevenson was positioned as both a popular author and as an author who would appeal to literary connoisseurs and internationalists. It also considers the implications of different translation strategies on Stevenson’s diffusion and reception in France. The chapter is divided into four sections: ‘French Treasure Islands’; ‘Periodical Publications and Serials’; ‘French Jekyll and Hydes’; ‘French Publishers and Translators’; ‘Problems with Translations’.