Why are the ASOUE illustrations from Russia different?

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

I have known for a long time that they are different ... But now that R. is asking questions and Russia was recently cited as a powerful country, I remembered to ask that too, which is something I never knew the reasons for.

Oh, and it would be nice to know the name of the illustrator too. Dante , do you have Russian books in your collection?

[Dante]

I only collect the American and British editions, i.e. the original release and my local release. If I didn't set such limits, I would have a hard time finding space. It's not unusual for books to have different illustrators between publishers and regions; consider, for instance, the original British and American releases of the Harry Potter books. It's conceivable that there are added difficulties in licensing a particular illustrator's work between regions, but it's also the case that some publishers would prefer to work with home-grown talent if they think it would play better with their audience.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

But Lemony Snicket, wrote Brett Helquist's name, as if he were a canonical character. How did they deal with this in the Russian version?

[Hermes]

That's only in TUA, isn't it, which I would guess is not translated in many countries? It would certainly pose any problems for translators, even more than the main series. But in any case, I don't see there would be a problem with treating Helquist simply as a character within the ASOUE world.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

In the letter to the editor referring to TWW there is a nominal reference to Mr. BH. Was that kept there or replaced by the name of the Russian illustrator?

Edit 1 - this is the letter to editor in TRR in Russian (I think):


Моему любезному издателю




Я пишу вам с берегов Озера Лакримозе, где исследую развалины дома Тети Жозефины, чтобы до конца понять, что здесь произошло после прибытия бодлеровских сирот.

Пожалуйста, в ближайшую среду пополудни зайдите в ресторан «Кафка» и закажите самому высокому дежурному официанту горшочек жасминного чая. В том случае, если мои враги не преуспели в своих намерениях, вместо чая он принесет вам конверт. В конверте вы найдете мое описание этих ужасающих событий под названием «Огромное окно», а также набросок Гиблой Пещеры, мешочек битого стекла и меню ресторана «Озабоченный клоун».

Там же будет находиться пробирка с 1 (одной) озерной пиявкой, так что мистер Хелквист сможет нарисовать точную иллюстрацию. Пробирку не открывать Ни При Каких Обстоятельствах.

Помните, вы моя последняя надежда на то, что о бодлеровских сиротах будет наконец рассказано широкой публике.

Со всем подобающим почтением

Лемони Сникет


Edit 2: translation by Google Translator:

To my kind publisher




I am writing to you from the shores of Lake Lacrimose, where I am examining the ruins of Aunt Josephine's house to fully understand what happened here after the arrival of the Baudelaire orphans.

Please stop by Kafka next Wednesday afternoon and order a pot of jasmine tea from the tallest waiter on duty. In the event that my enemies did not succeed in their intentions, instead of tea, he will bring you an envelope. In the envelope you will find my description of these horrific events, titled "The Huge Window," as well as a sketch of the Wicked Cave, a bag of broken glass, and a menu for the Concerned Clown restaurant.

There will also be a test tube with 1 (one) lake leech, so Mr. Helquist can draw an accurate illustration. Do not open the tube under any circumstances.

Remember, you are my last hope that the Baudelaire Orphans will finally be revealed to the public.

With all due respect

Lemony Snicket


Interesting. They left the reference to Mr. BH intact.

[Christmas Chief]

Moving this to BBooks - I'm assuming Dante hadn't previously moved it to MMisc.

One of our Russian members posted the Russian ASOUE covers once, which are interesting. I wouldn't know how to search for the translations because I don't know the first thing about the Cyrillic alphabet.

[ryantrimble457]

I have the Russian Slippery Slope....lemme see if I can post a pic of the author/illustrator page. The Russian illustrations are very cool, btw.

[R.]

I didn’t really like them; they failed to capture the spirit of the series and I hated the way Esmé was drawn. Count Olaf too.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Despite what is said, I consider Mr. BH's illustrations canonical and for me they should be considered as "how a member of the ASOUE universe would portray his own universe if he had received the information and items sent by Lemony Snicket". Although they do not necessarily portray "the truth" they portray it as closely as possible.