As a translator, I pay attention to many things, including the author’s voice. It’s not enough to merely translate the words. It’s equally important to catch the intended meaning, to grasp the spirit of the author’s thoughts.

One fine example is the portrayal of characters as the original author had envisioned. I’m reminded of the way German author Karl May drew the reader into his story through vivid depictions of his antagonists. One such case deals with a clever and devious nemesis, Albin Richemonte. Allow me to borrow a current expression: a man you love to hate.

Albin Richemonte, a disgraced officer in Napoleon Bonaparte’s army corps fits the bill. He is narcissistic, cruel, opportunistic and relentless in his pursuit of his enemies. One aspect of his personality that May weaves into his story like a colourful thread in tapestry is the man’s lack of empathy. It can best be described with the German word, schadenfroh. It means to revel in another’s misfortune. In Richemonte’s case, it was his carefully planned exploits that often led to a rival’s unprepared encounters with schadenfroh.

But Richemonte doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t back off when affronted but makes it his life’s mission to not only get even, but to completely ruin his adversary in every possible way.

Like I said, a man that shouldn’t be underestimated, even by those close to him, including his friends and associates.

Find out just how far Richemonte will go by delving into the first book of the Hussar’s Love series, The Prussian Lieutenant.