Just as an aside on the topic of translation, when you're contemplating reading a difficult and/or long classic, I think it's well worth investing in a recent/decent translation. Nineteenth and early 20th century translations can be a terrific slog even when contemporaneous to the original work, and when it's an earlier work, they can leave a lot to be desired. At least it's something to consider, if you find you can't engage with a text using the public domain translation.
In this particular case, I was enthralled by the Signet Classic translation many, many years ago. Someday I shall read the Pevear.
