Questions About Hard to Be a God

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Answered Questions (4)

What is "saiva?" Seems to be a sort of biome or forest—but I cannot find an actual translation/definition of it myself.

Ray I could not figure it out either as saiva is a bug, but in the book, they hack through the saiva, and the saiva meant business. From the various times…moreI could not figure it out either as saiva is a bug, but in the book, they hack through the saiva, and the saiva meant business. From the various times it comes up, I thought of it as a bramble - a any rough, tangled, prickly shrub that you tried to avoid going though.(less)

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I'm reading the 2014 translation by Onena Bormashenko and have a question for anyone who has read the earlier translation or even better in the original. There is mention of the regiment of 'Haberdashers'. Sure this is an unintentionally humorous mis-translation of 'Halberdiers'?

Maria White Just finished reading this novel in the original. 'Haberdashers' regiment has no relation to Halberdiers whatsoever; it is simply a regiment consistin…moreJust finished reading this novel in the original. 'Haberdashers' regiment has no relation to Halberdiers whatsoever; it is simply a regiment consisting of literally those in the business of haberdashery, no more no less. It certainly doesn't feel like any other connotation is implied here.(less)

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Should I read the other books of the Noon Universe first or are they more loosely connected?

Dennis Volovnyk This one is good to start. Order of reading is not that important. The other one I recommend is "The Inhabited Island". BTW there are movies available…moreThis one is good to start. Order of reading is not that important. The other one I recommend is "The Inhabited Island". BTW there are movies available as well, the movies are not following very closely, so do read first.(less)

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I'm in the middle of the second chapter of the translation by Olena Bormashenko, and having real problems with making sense of the translation. Did anyone else have the same problem, and does it get more clear? Wondering whether to plough on or leave it.

Dennis Volovnyk I know what you mean. It does come together.
…moreI know what you mean. It does come together.
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