Rebecca Rabinowitz ([info]diceytillerman) wrote,
2011-05-10 20:57:00
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This goes way beyond color/colour.

I found out today that the actual text of Amber Spyglass is different in US editions from UK editions. This is terribly frustrating (plus I feel stupid for not having known before). Is it just the sexuality bit in the chapter called "Marzipan," or does it happen in more places than that? Does it happen in Golden Compass and Subtle Knife too? Is there a source that compiles the changes?

Should I buy a third copy of Amber Spyglass -- a UK edition? Or possibly a whole third set?

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  • 13 comments

[info]kristincashore.blogspot.com

May 11 2011, 01:41:21 UTC 1 year ago

Since I wrote my final fantasy paper at Simmons on this trilogy, I purchased a UK copy. You are welcome to borrow it any time, for any length of time. My understanding was that the only difference is that every chapter in the UK edition starts with a quote from Milton, Blake, or other dead white guy, relevant to the text. I can't fathom why this was left out of the USA version, but anyway. I did NOT know that actual narrative text had changed, and am shocked to hear that. I... am almost certain I read the USA version before reading the UK version, but am not completely certain. The only difference I remember noticing was the opening quote thing. Is the sexuality bit really different? Holy moly! I'll be coming back here lots to see what others say!

[info]diceytillerman

May 11 2011, 01:54:53 UTC 1 year ago

It's a place where Mary and Lyra are talking, and it's definitely a bit different. Oh, USA. Stay classy.

[info]kristincashore.blogspot.com

May 11 2011, 02:03:32 UTC 1 year ago

It's hilarious, too, that they felt the need to temper that part, but left other parts -- you know, like when God dies and disintegrates -- in. And the gay angels. And SO MANY OTHER THINGS. WTF IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD. I AM SO DISGUSTED. I CANNOT WAIT TO COMPARE THESE VERSIONS WITH YOU SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A TEMPER TANTRUM TOGETHER.

[info]diceytillerman

May 11 2011, 02:06:24 UTC 1 year ago

This will be EXCELLENT FUN.

I fear learning that more places are changed too.

[info]cnoocy

May 11 2011, 10:26:24 UTC 1 year ago

I haven't seen any indication that there are other changes, but I'm not the expert on these things.

[info]diceytillerman

May 11 2011, 16:23:54 UTC 1 year ago

Had you heard of this change?

[info]cnoocy

May 11 2011, 17:41:50 UTC 1 year ago

No, I was surprised as you are. But the Wikipedia page for Spyglass mentions only the one change, and no changes are mentioned for the other books in the series, for what that's worth.

[info]takumashii

May 11 2011, 11:11:36 UTC 1 year ago

I'm shocked and annoyed!

And now I'm terribly curious about which version I bought at the Kinokuniya in Nagasaki... (and got rid of when I moved).

[info]diceytillerman

May 11 2011, 16:27:03 UTC 1 year ago

When Kristin brings her UK copy to my house, I will post the two versions. Though if you've got rid of your copy, it might be too late to know, unless you've especially retained that paragraph in your mind.

It *is* shocking and annoying!

[info]dolorosa_12

May 12 2011, 10:45:17 UTC 1 year ago

I think we have a thread up about this on our His Dark Materials forum, if you're interested. The thread is here. Hope that's helpful.

(Sorry for the drive-by comment. I found your post through Kristin Cashore's blog.)

[info]diceytillerman

May 12 2011, 18:15:36 UTC 1 year ago

Oh, thank you, that is very helpful! I see there's a whole nother place with a significant change too!

Anonymous

May 15 2011, 02:03:17 UTC 1 year ago

Difference between UK and US versions

I met Meg Rosoff at a NYMBC event in SF a few years ago. She talked about why she needed an editor in the US to deal with her book that had already been published in the UK. She said that in the US, they edit the sexual content, and in the UK, they edit the violence.

[info]diceytillerman

May 15 2011, 02:07:19 UTC 1 year ago

Re: Difference between UK and US versions

Interesting!
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