Disclaimer: These are unofficial English translations of Candy Candy Final Story (CCFS). I will keep updating this page whenever there are new updates. Please bookmark this page for your convenience.
For those who want locksleyu to translate more CCFS to English, please cast your vote on his post “What should I translate?”
So far, he has done an excellent job translating directly from Japanese
prologue
Chapter 1 (part 1)
Chapter 1 (part 2)
This is Fay’s unofficial translations of CCFS. She was doing her best to translate from the Spanish fan-translations done by Foro Andrew before. Since she later bought the French version, she began translating from the beginning again based on the official translation. So far she has completed the Prologue and parts of Section 1 based on this version. She will gradually update the chapters, so feel free to come back to check the link(s). Please be patient, as this is her hobby.
Since she has also purchased the official Spanish version, she would eventually translate from that version too. Please stay tuned. Don’t forget to write a few words to give her your support and encouragement. 🙂
Fay has also translated Keiko Nagita’s letters to Judy for the Spanish edition of Daddy Long Legs published by Arechi Manga in February 2022.
For those who are interested in reading the old CC novel, please also check out Fay’s English version of Candy Candy Old Novel, which is composed of her translations of the materials she has collected from various sources and other Candy Candy fans.
Volume 1
Below are based on the French official translation:
Volume 2
Below are based on the French official translation:
Table of Contents at a glance
Volume 1
Section 1
Chapters 1 to 20
Conclusion
Section 2
Introduction
Chapters 1 to 8
Volume 2
Section 2
Chapters 9 to 17
Section 3
Narrative 1
Letter from Susie
Letter to Mr Carson
Letter to Carson’s children
Letter to Mr. Juskin
Letter to Miss Candice White Ardlay (from George Villers)
Letter to Captain Niven
Letter to Miss Candice White Ardlay (from Cookie)
Letter 2 to Carson’s children
Letter to Terry
Letter from Archie
Letter from Stear
Letter to Sister Gray
Letter to Mary Jane
Letter from Annie
Narrative 2
Letter to Frannie
Letter from Patty
Letter to Dr. Frank Campbell
Narrative 3
Letter to Mrs. Sara Leagan
Letter to Mr. Stewart
Letter to Mary
Letter to Mr. Whitman
Letter to George
Narrative 4
Letter 2 from Archie
Letter to Candice White Ardlay (from Rolf Baughmann)
Letter 2 from Patty
Letter 2 from Annie
Narrative 5
Letter 3 from Archie
Narrative 6
Letter 1 to Dr. Martin
Letter 2 to Dr. Martin
Letter to Vincent Brown
Letter to Gloria Bandog
Letter to Great Aunt Elroy
Letter to Archie
Letter 2 to Great Aunt Elroy
Letter to Stear
Narrative 7
Letter to Miss Eleanor Baker
Letter to Terry
Narrative 8
Letter to Candice White Ardlay (from Susanna Marlowe)
Letter to Candy (from T.G.)
Epilogue
I have written a series with detailed discussions of the original Japanese text of the following letters. Please check Lost in translation for your interest.
Letter to Great Uncle William
Letter to Miss Candice White Ardlay
Letter to Prince on the Hill
Letter to Candy, Miss Sorceress
Letter to Albert
Letter 2 to Albert
A quick greeting to Candy (from Albert)
Letter to maybe beautiful Candy (from Bert)
Letter 3 to Albert
Letter to William Albert Ardlay aka Little Bert
Letter to Anthony Brown
Conclusion
For your interest, this is my friend Yue Chan‘s excellent post that summarizes Candy Candy Final Story (CCFS) in Spanish, Candy Candy Final Story ~ Estructura de la novela, which Fay has kindly translated to English. There is another marvelous post from Yue Chan, discussing the differences between the Old Candy Candy and CCFS, Candy Candy Final Story ~ Primera edición de la Antigua Novela de Candy Candy, which Fay has also translated to English for Candy Candy Fans here.
Dear Ms Puddle,
Thank you so much for the translation above, that you gave me the opportunity to read it! Candy still lives in all our hearts, that is how important it is, what role models we provide children, espacially in such times of decay. I would like to post my conclusion, what I believe Keiko Nagita (I prefer to call her with her real name) wanted to tell us. Can I post it here ? It’s nearly 4000 words, is that possible?
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share this childhood memories.
Hi Story Teller, welcome to my blog! Glad you enjoyed the translations but they are not mine. Most links on this page are provided by my friend Fay, not me.
You’re welcome to post your thoughts, but I’m not sure if there’s a limit? If not working, perhaps you can try splitting it up into several parts?
Ok, I’ll give it a try soon, thank you.
My first comment disappeared that is why I posted it twice
HI Ms. Puddle,
Found your blog by accident and thank you for share all your comments and thought. I have finished all the Candy Candy Anime, Manga and CCFS today and can’t stop myself to share my thought. I am 99% centain that the man I love is indeed Albert. The author has given so many hits from the beginning to the end. (such as Handmade frame, gentle voice….) . However, I was hoping that author would write more detail about the life they lived together when Albert lost his memory! That was my favourties part in both anime and manga.
Hi Ting Hsuan Lee, nice to meet you! 🤗
Yes it makes more sense that Candy ended up with Albert as in the manga and the old CC novel. Regrettably the author has chosen to keep this a mystery from her readers in CCFS. Like you, I also enjoyed reading the part when Candy and Albert shared the apartment together, and it’s too bad there wasn’t much about it in CCFS except for Candy’s recollections and some bits and pieces in Albert’s letters to Candy. Sigh…
Foro Andrew made the following announcement a few days ago:
“Due to the publication of the official Spanish translation of CCFS by Arechi Manga, the unofficial translation of Foro Andrew has been withdrawn.
Thank you for helping us offer the translation to the Candy fans, but in support of the official Spanish translation, we suggest that you delete the online files and promote the purchase of a copy.”
As you can see, the links to those files have been deleted on Ms. Puddle’s blog too. However, the English translation based on those files still exists, given that it is the only complete translation in this language.
I have the two PDF files with the translation of Foro Andrew in my possession, sent to me by one of the persons who made it, QuevivaCandy. As I respect the meticulous work they have done, translating the entire novel without any profit, thus making it accessible to a great number of fans who could not read Japanese or Italian, I will not delete those files but keep them in my private archives. The English translation will be gradually replaced by a new one based on the official Spanish translation of CCFS which I have ordered and will be soon in my hands.
My appreciation to Foro Andrew who made this project possible, and many thanks to Ms. Puddle for hosting this translation on her wonderful blog. Also my thanks to all the readers who took the time to go through this work and encourage me with their comments.
Thank you so much for doing all this for Candy Candy fans, Fay! 🤗 Those who understand English will certainly appreciate what you’ve done 👏👍
Yes, I just removed the links to the translations done by Foro Andrew yesterday, for the same reason. As much as I respect their hard works, the official Spanish translation can be purchased now.
Thanks again, my friend! 😊
hi Fay
I think it’s quite reasonable that the André forum has decided to remove the unofficial translation of the cfs novel because there are still too many fans who continue to discuss this unofficial translation, especially the new fansc that is coming into the world of Candy …. Even though Keiko Nagita has authorized the official translation and the book is on the market, fans should now use the right references in their discussions. The fact that the unofficial English translation is still in circulation is tolerable since English-speaking fans have not yet had their official translation.
I bought the novel in Spanish using a google translator to translate it into French and I read the different translations made by the fans…Honestly, I find that the French translation made by Pika is without doubt the most accurate and allows a better understanding of the story by following the events in the right order and this taduction is the one that gives the most clues about Candy’s husband.
Lately I have been thinking about Candy Candy and the amine, she did end up with Albert in the anime, I really loved the character of Terry and their breakup was so tragic, crap… but I also loved the character of Albert so I could care less who she ended up with! I was a kid, and I had a busy life lol, but as a child, there are things you can’t really grasp until you reach adulthood. 5 days ago, I decided to revisit Candy Candy, and to my surprise I read in a blog that she ended up with Terry in the newly published novels. Wow, I was delighted and find it “pretty cool,” but as I read the blog and more blogs about her being in a relationship with Terry, I was left perplexed because they sounded like delusional fanfics, or people who were trying to convince themselves they were right, their posts were lacking imo. I had no clue there was a fight between Albert’s team and Terry’s Team.
Then, I stumbled across your blog, which is beautifully written by the way, and your content makes more sense, maybe because you actually can prove your points. I then decided to read the novels in both Spanish and English to make up my own opinion, I grew curious.
My conclusion, forget what you wrote, forget what they wrote, solely based on my reading, this is 100% Albert! I mean this is so obvious, there’s not an ounce of doubt, as much as I wish Terry to have a happy ending, poor Terry, but Candy chose Albert, and I will say since she’s a child, she couldn’t forget about him, and who wouldn’t love Albert, at the end of the novels, I had fallen for him as well! Wow, the depth of all the characters, Animes and movies never do justice to mangas and novels.
Albert is 90% of the book lol, Candy can’t stop talking about him, she even apologizes for him, and she reveals things about him … only someone in a relationship with that person would know or do that. He tells her everything too, I was appalled while reading the novels because of the depths of their relationship. I wasn’t expecting it. How many pillow talks those two have to know each other so well, and their letters to each other are a continuation of those because they missed one another just way too much, he’s just such a busy businessman. Can’t people read how much they long for each other? She does things with Albert that she doesn’t with any other men, people who believe she ended up with Terry, need to reread the novel, pay attention to the tone, to the word choices, and they need to think a bit, compare and contrast, use their basic reading skills. The author is pretty explicit who she is with at the end, but she is not verbally explicit about it because she doesn’t want to deal with keyboard warriors – that’s the world we are living in – and I think their culture is different and it must be fun somehow :), JK Rowling would answer that question with no indirection. People are never happy anyway, in HG, even when Katniss is clearly in love with Peeta since she has met him as an 11-year-old and even when she ends up with him and they have 2 children, Gales Team will still want justice for Gales ;).
Anyway, I love your blog, and I know everybody is entitled to their own opinion and wishes. It was fun to revisit Candy Candy through all the blogs.
Thank you Irene for your encouraging words and positive feedback. Nice to meet you on my blog. So glad to hear you’ve found my posts and enjoyed reading them. 🤗
I agree with you. Most of your points make sense. Sometimes, I think the issue really boils down to whether some fans will be willing to accept the fact that Terry and Candy’s relationship was over. They wouldn’t reunite because they weren’t meant (the author did not intend for them) to be together.
I really like your analogy to the love triangle in The Hunger Games and how Team Gale never give up lol 😁. As much as I like the pair Katniss and Peeta, I kinda disagree that Katniss was in love with Peeta as a child. Anyway, we can discuss THG another time. 😉
Once again, welcome to my blog and hope to see you around 🤗
Just some friendly advice to anyone who suggested to us another CCFS translation. It is admirable that you were able to translate the novel directly from Japanese since you are familiar with the language. Please provide a complete translation of the entire novel. Forget about Albert fans and Terry fans and think about people who don’t know anything about Candy Candy, and how beneficial it would be for them to know her story from beginning to end without any omissions. That would help them form their own opinion, away from personal preferences and biases. No matter how interesting and exciting a book is, no matter how faithfully it is translated, it has little to offer when it is incomplete. Moreover, an English translation of CC, although unofficial, would be welcome to the fans too, as few of them can read it in Japanese and not all of them speak Italian or even French. Wouldn’t it be better if they had the chance to read it in its entirety, especially if it comes straight from the original text?
I haven’t commented on this post for a long time, That doesn’t mean I don’t read any new comment here. Actually I appreciate all who find the time to write their opinion.
That said, and since the English translation of CCFS is now complete, I would like to quote two particular passages about which I have received some criticism in the Greek CC forum.
Volume 2, Narrative 3
“After having closed the jewelry box, I let out a deep sigh trying to recover and I head towards the room next door, used as a study.”
I want to state that the English translation and the Greek one I have done for the benefit of the Greek CC forum is exactly the same, based on the Spanish text done by Foro Andrew.
Volume 2, Narrative 5
“Suddenly, I turn my gaze to a portrait peeking out of the jewelry box. I can’t help smiling, and I reach out my hand to take it.
It is Albert’s portrait drawn by Dr. Martin. It was made when my friend suddenly disappeared and we all started looking for him. I tried to draw one too, but that was too childish and didn’t look like him at all.
Later, however, that portrait was especially appreciated by Great Uncle William, and now it’s hanging on a wall in his office. It seems that even George defined it with the utmost seriousness as “an invaluable masterpiece”.”
In the first passage I have quoted the room in which Candy looks at the framed photographs on the wall is defined to be used as a study. In the second passage, just above, as you can see, my translation says that “…that portrait…is hanging on a wall in Great Uncle William’s office.” I translated both words, “study” and “office” into the same word in Greek, γραφείο. That word can have a broader sense in Greek; it can mean the room where one works, and it can also mean a room in one’s house where one can study, do homework, read and write letters, etc. Please note that those two terms are in two different words in the Spanish translation too. In the first paragraph, in Narrative 3, it is crystal clear that the room in which the photographs Candy is looking at is a room in her house. On the other hand, in the second paragraph, in Narrative 5, I considered it almost certain that the portrait hanging on the wall is in Albert’s office, meaning in his working place and not at home.
Well, a member of the Greek CC forum commented on those two passages in particular and set me thinking. She said that we can’t know for sure whether Albert has that portrait in his office at work or at home, just because I have put two different words. I explained to her that it’s far more possible that Albert should have that drawing in his working place than his own home. This portrait had a great value for him, so he wanted to see it all the time, and naturally, as many people keep the pictures of their loved ones while they’re at work, it’s just as natural for Albert to do the same thing; not exactly keep a picture of Candy herself, but a picture drawn by Candy at the time she was desperately looking for him, which meant a lot to him. So, supposedly, this portrait is in the Ardlay company and not in Albert and Candy’s home. However, the certain person who commented on it argued that one can’t do a translation based on suppositions and that we should know where exactly Albert has that drawing before defining the room.
Moreover, she also remarked that the last paragraph I quoted from Narrative 5 isn’t very clear about which one of the two portraits is hanging in Albert’s office. As she says, I should have put it like this: “Later, however, my portrait was especially appreciated by Great Uncle William, and now it’s hanging on a wall in his office.” That would clarify that the aforementioned portrait is the one done by Candy herself and not Dr. Martin. Otherwise, how could Dr. Martin’s drawing be in Candy’s jewelry box and in Albert’s office at the same time? She said she thought all this time that the drawing hanging on the wall was Dr. Martin’s, and that even George’s comment about “an invaluable masterpiece” could apply to both drawings. So, according to that commenter’s opinion,
I’m really sorry, but my comment was posted before i could finish it. So I continue…
As I was saying, according to that commenter’s opinion, I haven’t conveyed the right meaning in the paragraph mentioned above. Since I have paid a lot of attention to detail, both in the English and the Greek translation, I would like the text to be as clear as possible, without any ambiguity, as far as it can be achieved. I am still willing to accept any help about certain expressions about which I can only rely on the Spanish translation since I can’t check the original. However, this remark has troubled me and I would like to know if that passage really needs any more clarification. Do you think that Nagita doesn’t let us understand which one of the two portraits is hanging in Albert’s office? Personally, I always thought that Candy is clearly saying that HER OWN drawing is the one Albert keeps in his office. I would really be grateful if anyone could check on the Japanese text and clarify that (although, to me, it seems very clear). Apparently not all people think that.
Fay, I’m in my office right now, so I didn’t read your comments in detail. That being said, I have written at least one post about these portraits.
I’m pretty sure the drawing hanging in WAA office was Candy’s childish drawing. I have to double check the Japanese text when I get home though
Hi Fay, yes I was right. It was Candy’s childish drawing, and Albert put this drawing in his work place. I can talk more about this passage in my next post 🤗
Thank you, Ms. Puddle. I wouldn’t need any clarification myself about that. I was always pretty sure about the drawing Albert has in his office. Besides, it would be weird if he kept Dr. Martin’s drawing instead, right? Why would he do that? Because Dr. Martin had made a better portrait of him than Candy? However, it seems some people still have doubts or they just haven’t grasped the meaning, so it would be useful to provide them with some valid arguments.
By the way, the same commenter in the Greek forum, who seems to be very argumentative about CCFS in general and my amateur translation in particular, also mentioned another Spanish translation in which Candy says in the aforementioned paragraph “However, my portrait was appreciated by Great Uncle William…” etc, thus clarifying which portrait she refers to. In the translation of Foro Andrew, it is said “that portrait” and not “my portrait”. Since both translations are in the same language, it would be interesting to know which one is the closest to the original text concerning that particular passage.
Fay, rest assured the original Japanese text leaves absolutely no doubt that it was Candy’s drawing. In my next post I will show you why.🤗
You might want to check out: sweetpoupee.com: Lost In Translation: Candy Candy Final Story
It has the Japanese to English translation of CCFS. 🙂
Hello there, did you also send me a message on my Facebook page? Are you the owner of that site?
Hello Ms Puddle and aeLakewood,
I’ve read aeLakewood’s opinion about the selling of the Lakewood estate in the CCFS (I won’t get into details now) and I would suggest aeLakewood read Alex’s excellent historical analysis of the Great Depression in North America and the United Kingdom with regards to the CCFS. Alex astutely explains via the use of scholarly bibliography how commonplace it was for North American business entrepreneurs to hold multiple business and investments in the United Kingdom as well during the Great Depression, especially in rural England. Alex’s comprehensive analysis is found in the “Myths of CCFS” series in which both Ms Puddle and Alex have provided intelligent contributions and analysis. There’s also an extensive bibliography list provided for further reading.
As for the possibility of Albert being “dead”, there is no evidence of such in any way whatsoever in the CCFS. Candy would have been utterly devastated. However, Nagita makes absolutely no reference to any of that.
Let’s just keep to the textual evidence and what Nagita herself wants to provide. If she wishes to remain obscure, then the readers-both the pro-Terry and the pro-Albert ones-ought to respect this.
Bye for now and Best Wishes for the Forthcoming 2019,
Interstellar
Hello Ms Puddle and Interstellar-Hope you’re enjoying the holidays. I think we could all have some free-time after so much hard work. I had read some conspiracy theories about Albert’s death in the CCFS and I did have a bit of a chuckle. The only time Albert gets ‘killed off’ is in that ghastly Italian manga version (aka monstrosity) which Keiko Nagita had and has never acknowledged nor endorsed.😂
BTW, Albert never mentioned that men die early in his family; he specified that *women* tend to die early in his family, mainly after childbirth. I don’t think Albert would have ever risked post-pregnancy complications..
As for the Lakewood estate being sold, there are so many far more logical and rational reasons behind that decision, the most crucial one being that Albert and Candy had dark and traumatic memories form that place (Anthony’s tragic demise) and they simply wanted to bid their farewell to that place which they did by going there one last time and mourning Anthony’s death at that specific place where he had perished. Besides, Albert also had awful memories of that place during his childhood after his sister died and he was subsequently under restraint by the Ardlay elders.
We shouldn’t forget that the CCFS is mainly about learning to let go of the past and moving on anew and afresh. However, death plays an intense role in this novel and if Albert had died, it wouldn’t have been brushed off in such a flippant and shallow way. The proven track-record for this are the ways in which Keiko Nagita places profound gravity surrounding the demise of Anthony, Stear, and Susanna. That said, Albert has the exact same possibility of being ‘dead’ as Terry does since the author makes no mention of what became of either of these two men. Terry has an even greater chance of having suffered a cardiac arrest or lung neoplasm following his long-term smoking&binge drinking trajectory.😉
Moreover, Albert has explained to Candy that he has start-up-businesses in the UK which are successful (Epilogue, Letters). The author cleverly provides a clear-cut link between Albert and the UK for business purposes.
Therefore, I fully agree with Interstellar at this point; let’s focus on the CCFS textual evidence. Keiko Nagita also makes it perfectly clear in the preface of the CCFS that she doesn’t want any anime or manga influence to interfere with her final story on Candy. Instead, she wants us as readers to go through her novel as a completely separate and individual text independent from any anime/manga influences. She only suggests we consider Igarashi for the artwork/illustrations. Nothing more, nothing less.😎
See you around, Myra
Hello All,
Being a philologist (English Literature) and currently teaching at university, I’ll focus and reiterate Myra’s final paragraph where she astutely says: “Let’s focus on the CCFS textual evidence.”
Placing utmost emphasis on and demonstrating respect for the actual text provided is the advice I always give to my students at university. Any form of bias, prejudice or personal preferences ought to be dispensed with so as to provide a solid case. Just because a certain piece of work constitutes fiction either as prose (or drama) or poetry that doesn’t mean we can treat it randomly by throwing about any outlandish idea on a mere whim. The study of literature whether it be fiction or non-fiction requires utmost fidelity to textual evidence. Otherwise, no one knows what one is talking about unless there’s credible evidence via the deployment of logical reasoning and sound argument.
Having made that clarification, I’ll also agree with Interstellar that it would be sensible and wise if Alex’s remarkable and sterling work surrounding the historical background and socioeconomic ramifications of WWI and the Interbellun (in relation to the CCFS) are studied at length because these findings will definitely confirm that Albert had a far better reason to be in the UK during the Interbellum than Terry. I agree with Alex that Terry would have ruined his career as a thespian by going to the UK as all artists and actors were unemployed and destitute. All successful actors and artists were in the USA during the Interbellum. The UK managed to rebound only after the late 1950s/1960s.
I’ll also stress what Alex has repeatedly specified that Terry could not have been employed at the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon because it didn’t even exist as such back then in the 1930s. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) was establish in 1961. Until then, it was simply a memorial theatre which operated sporadically for a few days during April and August per annum by untrained o young aspiring actors struggling to find a job in London where they were all based. By going back to England, Terry would have been shooting himself in the foot as he was already massively popular (and presumably well-off) in the USA. Having severed all ties with his father by renouncing the Granchester name, Terry’s father had ceased being any source of income for him ever since he left for the USA. Terry had already made a name for himself-literally and metaphorically-in the USA, therefore, it would have been downright idiotic and career-suicidal if he had gone back to England.
On the other hand, however, Albert had all the right reasons to return to the UK as he had many business and financial ties due to his companies there. Let’s not forget that Albert was a globe-trotter and he had companies all over the world (MIddle East, Latin America, North America and the UK). Presumably, he had been the recipient of a financial blow during the fiscal crisis and recession in the 1930s albeit not a devastating one as he had the business acumen to “plant” loads of companies worldwide. Bottom-line, Terry was based in the USA as that was the creative and prosperous place for his craft whilst Albert would have been far better off out-width the USA during the 1930s. This was typical behaviour of many wealthy business owners who wanted to salvage and/or invest further after the stock market crash in 1929.
As for Albert being “dead”, I won’t even bother getting into that outlandish claim. If certain folks want to support that opinion, then they could make use of it in their own fanfiction. Keiko Nagita, who’s the actual and exclusive author of the CCFS, has never made any sort of infinitesimal mention of such an issue.
I’ll end my (yet again) lengthy response here and wish you all a delightful and creative 2019.
Regards,
Avon
My sentiments exactly, Avon! Well said, and I won’t reiterate your brilliant arguments other than Nagita’s clear intentions of showing Albert as a businessman with foresight, already having planted businesses elsewhere like London and São Paulo (possibly in some places in Africa too as Albert had implied). These are solid evidence that readers can’t deny.
I wish you a fruitful year ahead, Avon! 🎉🎊
Hello Myra, you’re absolutely right about Albert’s mentioning of women dying young, not men. His late mother passed away soon after giving birth but not Rosemary. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I was reading your remark about post pregnancy complications 😁
There are many reasons why Lakewood was sold, and I support Alex’s simple explanation — financial reason. Like many people back then, Ardlay’s enterprises got hit as well, albeit not as deep as others.
However, I am inclined to rule out the possibility of selling Lakewood due to traumatic memories. For example, Candy in her letter to Vincent Brown was looking forward to seeing him in Lakewood (with Albert too as he respected this big brother) because she was eager to tell her stories. She sounded happy with no hint of sadness. In her thirties she clearly was aware why they had to sell but her tone was nostalgic. It was full of fond memories, especially with her Prince on the Hill. First day trip with him, first time entering the family memorial hall, first time going back to the forest, first time being pulled into his arms for a loving embrace, etc.
That being said, I can’t agree with you more concerning CCFS in general, especially being mainly about learning to let go of the past and moving on afresh. Well said, my friend! 👏👏
As I mentioned in another comment, Candy mentioned Albert in her thirties in present tense, so there was no way he was dead. Or she would have at least talked about it, just like what you said, Myra.
Best wishes! 🎊🎉
Hello Interstellar and aeLakewood,
First, pardon my ignorance of the CCFS translation site, and I have no idea of its existence, so the name “Lost in translation” struck me at first. I don’t know the translator, but I’m inspired to name my series after the movie “Lost in translation”. 🙂
Thank you Interstellar for bringing up Alex’s references and brilliant analyses. Yes aeLakewood if you like I can post the link to the first post of the Myths series.
About Albert being dead, I haven’t read any about it but I did know about the rumours before, which are ludicrous to say the least. Don’t know who started it but Candy in her thirties mentioned Albert in present tense, and I can easily come up with two references, if anyone is interested.
I totally agree with Interstellar’s advice of sticking to the textual evidence. Speculations are still speculations if no proof can be found in CCFS itself.
Best wishes to everyone too 😘
Hello everyone. Thank you for the valuable insights. I am the one that translated the Japanese to English on sweetpoupee. My goal was to keep true to Nagita’s text, since I saw inaccuracies on other postings.
As for my summaries and comments, that is my opinion, constantly open to change and reassessment as more facts come to view. I have no doubt that Albert is Nagita’s intended love, as I discovered in translating the interviews and statements. But I cannot see Albert living in England (as much as I want it to be), because Nagita carefully set up those clues for Terry. Daffodils, Avon, Shakespeare. She also wrote in Albert’s final letter to Candy, how much he understands his role. I don’t see any American tycoons like that of the Ardleys( ie Rockerfeller, Carnegie) living away from Chicago or NY, let alone in a quaint artsy town like Avon. Most UK related businesses were well established with UK families and companies ,from what I understand. If someone can point info otherwise, that would be greatly appreciated. The factors that haunt me is why Lakewood would be sold and why I can’t find any presence of Albert in present time (you don’t know how much I want this, I’ve been scouring). As for the comment of Albert in present tense, Nagita’s writings can be confusing because she mixes up tenses but I’m used to reading stylized prose like this (novelist Jeannette Winterson,etc) so I was able to discern that sentence– it was Candy’s thoughts at that moment in the past, when she was flustered and admitting her feelings for Albert when he said he preferred to see her as a grown woman instead of his younger sister. Let’s say that sentence was from present tense, it won’t make any sense for Candy to be wondering how Albert felt about her in the present… esp. when she’s living with him as a couple.
Also, the deaths… I need to point out Albert’s father. I mean, he’s lost both his mother, father and sister. I know he said the women, but that’s a lot of dead people…who knows if genetically a male could also inherit a recessive gene for such a condition?
In gratitude.
Also, one other thing: I never considered Albert to be needy, in the way Terry was, in wanting Candy to be by his side always… enough to guilt her by not being near Miss Pony while she was sick…
Hello sweetpoupee, are you aeLakewood or the one who sent me message on my Facebook page?
Anyway, if you don’t mind, I’d like to respond to you on a new post instead. For anyone who likes to reply to sweetpoupee’s comments please be patient with me as well. Thank you.
Happy new year everyone! 🎉🎊
I can’t seem to hit reply after Interstellar and Avon, so I’ll reply here. I experienced worse reactions and treatment from some Terry fans for stating that Albert and Candy did have romantic feelings for each other, and I guess I’m not so surprised to get it from Albert fans, given what I have stated. Believe me, I want to discredit this myself.
I am just seeking info/insights that could provide additional info that may provide another context. I am open to such info.
I know people will not agree with my opinions. But I was hoping that if a reader did not agree, that they would provide reasons and rationales without insulting the poster. I have also studied genetics and history, so I left room to question a fine family such as the Ardleys be suspect of diseases from the result of social endogamy that was widely practiced in the UK, not just with the Royal families, but also within rural counties up until the early 18th century. Things like this I wonder. I think its reasonable to think this. Also, my summaries are just that, my thoughts, just like how one draws a picture, creates music and posts it. I have never insulted someone or debased their opinions, and I hoped (yes, it’s difficult, when you are talking about people’s passions) that I would run into others who are willing to engage with me so that we can both have an enriching experience. I still do. 🙂
That being said, I am very impressed with your passion for Candy Candy, your scientific knowledge and prolific way of writing. I did glean some useful tips on some other sources that might provide me a better understanding of the story.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights, I will look for “Alex” ‘s that you have mentioned.
Happy New Year
I wish you all peace and goodwill.
Just a correction: I meant to write (ref: British social class endogamy) to be up until the late 19th century (not 18th, as I mistyped). I also would like to mention that although I do love both Terry and Albert, my leanings do go towards Albert ( I grew up on the manga), fwiw. 🙂
But thank you again for your time and consideration. Since my questions seem to incite offense (which was not my intent) I shall gracefully bow out.
Shitsureishimashita.
Hello sweetpoupee, no need to say 失礼しました at all. Just that I prefer to answer your comments with my perspectives and/or links rather than having our replies scattered all over this page or another post(s). Please wait while I’m gathering my thoughts. Your patience is much appreciated. 🙂
Hello Ms Puddle,
Thank you for your hard work and your conscientious time devoted on your fascinating blog and for your thought-provoking analysis of the CCFS.
As for some folk who want to remain confined within the restraints of their own uneducated biases, I refrain from wasting my invaluable time any further with them.
That said, historical facts are far superior and way stronger in significance to mere “daffodil” references and other sentimental brouhaha. You-Ms Puddle, Reeka, Fay, Alex, Avon, Myra, and so many highly educated and intelligent contributors within the CCFS community have already provided remarkable and astute analysis of the CCFS via every angle: historical, literary, legal (in relation to the aforementioned pseudo-adoption issue), socioeconomic, and so forth. This topic has been exhausted and nothing further is required from anyone’s part. Alex has already provided such scholarly analysis with an extensive scholarly bibliography regarding the socioeconomic ramifications of WWI and the Great Depression following the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
In addition, it’s utterly inane to assume that just because one’s parents die young, the children later on will die young as well. Even highly erudite medical doctors would never state something so ignorant. Even in cases of acutely hereditary diseases (Albert clearly does not fall into that category), medical doctors never jump to such random conjecture.
Moreover, the CCFS is overwhelmed with fauna and flora symbolism; daffodils definitely do not assume the “throne” in this novel as so many other floral references are equivalently significant. Apart from the daffodils at Avon, the river Avon itself also constitutes and equivalently-if not even more-powerful imagery. If we were to assume that daffodils “refer” to Terry, then the water and sky (blue) imagery (which is dominant int he CCFS) belong to Albert. It’s futile trying to desperately cling to this “daffodil” reference because it’s so savagely refuted by other far stronger literary and textual evidence.
Furthermore, it’s also asinine to assume that references to Shakespeare belong to Terry alone; let’s take into consideration that Albert has deployed many a Shakespearean device in his and Candy’s masquerading. Albert is the one who had provided the Romeo&Juliet costumes to Candy so she could “sneak into” the May Fest. Shakespearean references are ubiquitous in the text and they do not constitute exclusive Terry’s exclusive property.
By all means, let’s all dispense with that other unintelligent reference to “Terry’s repairman hands”. That was just some insignificant offhand remark Stear had made to Terry in the manga and not in the CCFS. That scene has been omitted in the novel anyway; in the CCFS, Terry simply takes flight and refuses to bid his farewell to anyone, even to Candy. Besides, let’s not forget that Nagita herself stated in the preface of her book that she does not want anime or manga influences or references to meddle in her CCFS. It’s high time all fans respect that as that is what the author of this book clearly wants. Nothing more, nothing less.
As for wealthy North Americans investing in the (mainly rural) British south, even those with a bit of knowledge in WWI-WWII socioeconomic history are aware of this. I’m not even going to bother to pin-point the obvious yet again. Alex has offered such extensive and highly erudite analysis (“The Myths of CCFS” series) and comprehensive bibliography that nothing further is required from my part.
Therefore, I stop here as I really don’t want to waste my time with those who have remained obsessed with their own biases and limited opinion. My focus is on textual evidence and not mere conjecture. This message serves the purpose to respond to you-Ms Puddle, and to request that you focus on getting well soon and continue your extraordinary contributions whenever you want to and not what others want from you. You are your own boss and you do not owe anyone any further explanation nor to be spoon-fed. The textual evidence and facts are already accessible to all and whoever wants to be enlightened, then they ought to do that themselves.
Take care of yourself, Ms Puddle, and don’t waste your time trying to convince those who don’t listen to reason and facts. However, whether they like it or not, facts as facts and they do not care about anyone’s feelings.
Best Regards to You-Ms Puddle,
Interstellar
Thanks for the *shout out*, Interstellar, although I must say that my contributions are not nearly as prolific and remarkable as yours and Ms Puddle’s are. 😎
As for trolls, don’t bother feeding them. Presumably, you already know that I’m a Terry-fan and I had established this transparency to all of you in this blog the moment I first contributed to the comments section. Even though I’m a die-hard Terry-fan, I would never stoop low to frenetically defend a lame case that Albert’s dead, especially when there’s no reliable textual evidence to support such an outlandish claim..
Although I support Terry, I have the dignity and self-respect to accept the textual evidence which appears to be leaning heavily towards Albert’s favour. I am not ruling out Terry, however, Albert appears to win all the odds regarding the *who-is-anohito* debate. I think some people need to accept the credibility of textual evidence whether it supports their own opinion or not. Certain people need to have class or at least start trying to find it at some point in their lives.😉
Thanks again, Ms Puddle, for your amazing blog and please do not risk your well-being or health-improvement in anyway whatsoever so as to appease random commenters. We’re all looking forward to your next articles but we’re most importantly looking forward to your strong health and speedy recovery.
🌹🌹🌹
Thank You Again, Ms Puddle and Interstellar,
Avon
Hello Avon,
I’ve tried to reply to you directly but there’s no reply button under your comment, LOL.
I’ll just say that you’re underestimating yourself and your literary analysis and knowledge are excellent to say the least. I never lose interest in reading your posts and commentary.
Even though we’re both from diametrically different professional backgrounds-as you’re a literature professor and I’m a biochemist, we always manage to find common ground because that “unifying bridge” between us is the emphasis on concrete evidence and facts-whether it be via textual evidence in your case or scientific experiments/facts in my case.
As for you being a Terry-fan, that actually makes me respect you even more than I already do because you have the integrity to voice your perspectives but always be open to debate and finding further information. Not once have you ever tried to impose your Terry-preference on any of us. That said, we’ve all got our own biases and personal preferences but they should neither superimpose nor dominate our quest for evidence and facts. As I mentioned in my previous post, facts don’t care about anyone’s feelings; however, I’ll add that facts are pure and indisputable because they remain unswayed and unaffected by personal preferences and mere opinion.
That’s all folks, LOL.
Interstellar
Thanks again, Fay for translating & Ms Puddle for posting! 🙂
Question: why is there a “1.” before the title? Does it mean there’s more letters in the Epilogue?
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, JeannyJJ. Glad you still enjoy the translations.
There are 11 letters in the Epilogue. This is the first letter, so I put number 1. Hopefully the rest will follow.
In my country there is no celebration of Thanksgiving, but I consider it a very nice tradition. It’s nice to have things to be thankful for. I can say I’m thankful for meeting Ms. Puddle and for her valuable support and kindness, and also I’m thankful for all your nice and encouraging comments on this page. A Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Fay, we should thank you for your hardwork and dedication to this translation endeavor 👍👏
So glad there are more letters to come! Can’t wait.
I will just leave this page on and refresh once a day. 😛 (just kidding).
(but I do leave this page on my computer and on my safari page.) 🙂
LOL 😊😅 but so glad to hear you that you’ve enjoyed reading this, chapter by chapter. Thank you, JeannyJJ 😘
I wish there could be a new chapter every day, but then it would end too soon, while now you have to anticipate each new chapter and in the meantime read it more slowly and carefully. Isn’t this more exciting? Besides, this is Candy’s first letter. Don’t you want to give some time to Albert to answer? LOL. Thank you too, JeannyJJ. So glad you enjoy it.
Hello JeannyJJ, Happy Thanksgiving to you! We up in Canada celebrate in October, so it was a while ago already. ☺️
Yes there are more letters to come, some very long too. This particular letter is very important IMHO, so I’ve translated most of it directly from Japanese. For example, the last line is not easy to translate, because Candy used two negative terms / phrases to emphasize the impossibility of her falling asleep that night (one similar to ‘by no means/no way’ and the other ‘highly unlikely’). However, if we directly translate that, it sounds very strange in English. 😅
Section 3 is now complete. Thank you, everyone, for reading this translation and for all your comments. And especially a big thank you to Ms. Puddle for helping and supporting me.
No, Fay, we should be the ones who give our thanks to you for the time and effort you have put into translating the novel. 😘😗 Only one more section to go — the Epilogue 💞
Dear Fay & Ms Puddle,
Fay, thanks for the update.
A few thoughts popped up when I read Candy’s letter to Ms Gloria and Aunt Elroy. Of course, I’ve been aware with these letters for long time from pieces of spoilers, but now that I read it orderly and I can safely assume that your translation is very close to what it will be if the official english translation had existed, so … here we go :
1. I wonder where Ms Gloria had sent the letter to? Happy Clinic? or Ardley’s mansion?
2. I am quite intrigued by her letter to Aunt Elroy. She addressed the matriarch with pretty formal salutation, yet, I feel like her way of talking to Aunt Elroy was not that rigid. She sounded colder and more formal in her letter to Sara Leagan. Do you think she was already in good term with Aunt Elroy? And I feel like her remark on how Grand Uncle William had extraordinary ability to read people’s heart had hinted something. Or, is it just my over enthusiasm in hunting the easter eggs on CCFS? 😀
Cheers.
Hello Reeka, these are good questions. Ms Gloria might know Candy’s new address at Pony’s Home because she might need to forward her letters? But this letter shows that WAA has officially made his debut and we read Candy’s thoughts about Albert too. Even then Candy didn’t address him using respectful terms.
About the letter to Aunt Elroy, i have the same feeling about Candy’s remark of Granduncle William’s choice too! 💓 To me this is a solid proof that WAA didn’t judge the doctor by his appearance… something Candy still needed to learn.
Yes, to me Candy wrote with high respect in her letter to Aunt Elroy whereas she was polite to Sarah Lagan. However I don’t see that Candy was in good terms with the matriarch yet🤔, but the old lady had relented for sure 😀
Reeka, your comments and questions always cause interesting discussions. Yes, I agree with Ms. Puddle that Mrs. Gloria must have found out somehow Candy’s new address and the must have written to her after William’s official presentation. I’m not sure where her letter reached her. If it was in the mansion, then many things must have happened in the meantime. It makes me wonder too…
About the letter to Aunt Elroy, Candy was formal but she couldn’t be as cold as she was to Mrs. Leagan. Let’s remember that the Leagans were not on so friendly terms with the Ardlays, they had more of a formal relationship, nothing cordial, but Aunt Elroy was after all Albert’s aunt. She had raised him and however strict she was, Albert loved her. We are not sure at what stage Candy’s relationship with Albert was when she wrote that letter, but anyhow she respected his aunt and no doubt she tried to be in good terms with her for Albert’s sake. I’m sure Albert tried his best for that too. Moreover, I think Aunt Elroy wasn’t so ungrateful to the person who had practically saved her nephew’s life and helped him recover his memory. I don’t believe she could be so unfeeling as to turn her back on her.