# English Translations explained — The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes

> Chapter companion for The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes by Anonymous.

## What happens

This chapter discusses the English translations of Lazarillo de Tormes, beginning with David Rowlands' 1586 translation, published by Abel Jeffes, which became highly popular. Subsequent editions and reprints followed, with varying quality, including a 1653 edition by James Blakiston and a notably poor 1789 edition that mangled Spanish names.

## Themes in this chapter

### Poverty and Hunger

The enduring popularity of the novel in translation underscores its vivid portrayal of poverty and survival, resonating with readers across centuries.

## Character check-ins

### David Rowlands

First translator of Lazarillo de Tormes into English, published in 1586.

### Abel Jeffes

Publisher of the first English translation and its 1596 edition.

### Juan de Luna

Author of the spurious second part included in the 1653 edition.

## Key lines

> Lazarillo de Tormes was first translated into English by David Rowlands of Anglesey.

The first English version of Lazarillo de Tormes was made by David Rowlands from Anglesey.

_Introduces the first translator._

> It was published in 1586.

The translation came out in the year 1586.

_Provides the publication date._

> There were twenty editions or reprints, and Lazarillo was exceedingly popular with the Elizabethan reading public.

The book saw twenty printings and was very well received by Elizabethan readers.

_Highlights the work's popularity._

> The worst performance of all was the edition of 1789 in two volumes.

The 1789 two-volume edition was the poorest quality of all.

_Criticizes the 1789 edition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_life_of_lazarillo_de_tormes_se/chapters/english-translations
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