Random Question

[bup]

In Crime and Punishment, there's mention of a guy whose name is blanked out: Dr. B--n.

Here it is in the Gutenberg text (second line):
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2554/2...

How would you read that out loud?

I've seen years done like that before - 18--, but I don't remember if I've seen a name like that.

Does anybody know why Dostoevsky did it (or why it would be done in general)?

Most importantly, if you had to read it out loud, how would you read it?

[Dani]

I always thought it was because they were using a real name or location and didn't want to get in any trouble over it. Also, I believe that they may just be sneakily alluding to a person/place or wanted you to think they were.

And no idea how I'd read it out loud, sorry. :D

(My Googling didn't turn up much but this:

http://www.google.nl/answers/threadvi...)

[bup]

Thanks for the response. I'm part of a project at librivox (making free audio books of public domain works), and that's in my section. I just said "B Dash N," which sounds stupid, but doesn't interrupt the flow, at least.

[Laura]

If you go to http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com and either drop a comment on her blog or email her, she should be able to help you. Along with being a professional puppeteer and a writer, she also has a series of "How to Read Aloud" articles.