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Available
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Publication
Everyman's Library (1999), 616 pages
Description
Stories provide an ironic viewpoint on life in nineteenth-century Russia.
User reviews
LibraryThing member starbox
Very very readable tales...the only negative is that a number are unfinished.
The first, "The Moor of Peter the Great" must be largely autobiographical, the author being half Russian nobility, and (on his mother's side)half Ethiopian. When the eponymous "Moor" has a marriage arranged for him by the
"Dubrovsky" (unfinished but came to an adequate ending) was, perhaps, the most memorable. When a practical-joke loving aristocrat with a nasty side, arranges to relieve his neighbor of his estate folllowing a disagreement...he reckons without that individual's son....
Also loved "The Queen of Spades" where a coldhearted loser at the card table attempts to get an elderly lady to reveal her strategy for cheating...
The first, "The Moor of Peter the Great" must be largely autobiographical, the author being half Russian nobility, and (on his mother's side)half Ethiopian. When the eponymous "Moor" has a marriage arranged for him by the
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Tsar, with a young aristocratic lady, is her repugnance to the unavoidable event primarily from racist feelings or the fact she loves another? Sadly it stops at this point."Dubrovsky" (unfinished but came to an adequate ending) was, perhaps, the most memorable. When a practical-joke loving aristocrat with a nasty side, arranges to relieve his neighbor of his estate folllowing a disagreement...he reckons without that individual's son....
Also loved "The Queen of Spades" where a coldhearted loser at the card table attempts to get an elderly lady to reveal her strategy for cheating...
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LibraryThing member superfriend
Anyone who is in the least interested in understanding Russian literature, must, must, must, read Pushkin first! From his genius flows all the wealth of posterity.
LibraryThing member jpsnow
Read: The Guests Were Arriving at the Dacha, A Novel in Letters, Kirdzhali, A Tale of Roman Life, Egyptian Nights, The Captain's Daughter. Collectively, his works address the meaning of aristocracy in 19th century Russia. Pushkin lived a life worthy of his novels. He is described in the intro as
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"rich and rakish." He gambled. He died in a duel. He had previously been exiled and then was befriended by the Tsar. He married 17-year old Natasha which was both a source of joy and complication in his life. He seems to have referred to himself in "A Novel in Letters." Show Less
LibraryThing member cdeuker
Queen of Spades and The Shot are the only two I've read so far. Can't say I'm crazy about either, but will keep reading intermittently and adjust my stars. I see others have loved Pushkin. I'll read some reviews to see which stories are most prized.
LibraryThing member gbill
As Aitken says in the introduction, "Until his emergence, writing in Russia, with the exception of a handful of works, had been mainly imitative, pursuing pseudo-classical principles, and reflecting closely the trends of various Western European cultures - French, in particular. The lyrical
Pushkin's influence and stature in Russian literature is undeniable; Dostoevsky among others was a strong admirer, and 43 years after Pushkin's death, gave a rousing speech to his memory at the dedication of a monument to him in Moscow.
Quotes:
On the past, from "A Novel in Letters":
"You cannot imagine how strange it is to read, in 1829, a novel written in 1775."
Also this, from "The History of the Village of Gorukhino":
"The concept of a golden age is natural to all nations and proves only that people are never satisfied with the present and, from experience having little hope in the future, they adorn the irrevocable past with all the colorful fancies of their imagination."
On peace, from "The Captain's Daughter":
"When I reflect that this happened during my lifetime, and that I now live under the mild reign of Emperor Alexander, I cannot help but feel amazed at the rapid progress of civilization and the spread of the laws of humanity. Young man, if these lines of mine should ever fall into your hands, remember that those changes which come as a result of moral improvements are better and more durable than any which are the outcome of violent events."
On Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, from "Roslavlev":
"…Never again will Europe dare to fight with a people who chop off their own hands and burn their capital."
On transience, from "The Queen of Spades":
"Along this very staircase,” he thought, “perhaps at this same hour sixty years ago, in an embroidered coat, his hair dressed a` l’oiseau royal, his three-cornered hat pressed to his heart, there may have crept into this very bedroom a young and happy man now long since turned to dust in his grave – and today the aged heart of his mistress ceased to beat.”
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simplicity and the absolute precision of Pushkin's poetry, the natural, straightforward grace of his prose perfectly expressed the Russian mood..."Pushkin's influence and stature in Russian literature is undeniable; Dostoevsky among others was a strong admirer, and 43 years after Pushkin's death, gave a rousing speech to his memory at the dedication of a monument to him in Moscow.
Quotes:
On the past, from "A Novel in Letters":
"You cannot imagine how strange it is to read, in 1829, a novel written in 1775."
Also this, from "The History of the Village of Gorukhino":
"The concept of a golden age is natural to all nations and proves only that people are never satisfied with the present and, from experience having little hope in the future, they adorn the irrevocable past with all the colorful fancies of their imagination."
On peace, from "The Captain's Daughter":
"When I reflect that this happened during my lifetime, and that I now live under the mild reign of Emperor Alexander, I cannot help but feel amazed at the rapid progress of civilization and the spread of the laws of humanity. Young man, if these lines of mine should ever fall into your hands, remember that those changes which come as a result of moral improvements are better and more durable than any which are the outcome of violent events."
On Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, from "Roslavlev":
"…Never again will Europe dare to fight with a people who chop off their own hands and burn their capital."
On transience, from "The Queen of Spades":
"Along this very staircase,” he thought, “perhaps at this same hour sixty years ago, in an embroidered coat, his hair dressed a` l’oiseau royal, his three-cornered hat pressed to his heart, there may have crept into this very bedroom a young and happy man now long since turned to dust in his grave – and today the aged heart of his mistress ceased to beat.”
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LibraryThing member Marse
Reading Pushkin's prose is both gratifying and frustrating. Gratifying because his completed short stories are jewels. His language is concise and sublimely simple, each sentence pared down to its most essential. His parodies are more homage than ridicule, and his almost novels hook you despite
Contains:
The Moor of Peter the Great
A Novel in Letters
The Tales of the late Ivan Belkin
The History of the Village of Gorukhino
Roslavlev
Dubrovsky
The Queen of Spades
Kirdjali
Egyptian Nights
The Captain's Daughte
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yourself. They are frustrating because so many of his prose works were left unfinished. They are still worth reading just for the clarity of his 18th century language placed upon 19th century motifs. The translation is decent with some additional endnotes.Contains:
The Moor of Peter the Great
A Novel in Letters
The Tales of the late Ivan Belkin
The History of the Village of Gorukhino
Roslavlev
Dubrovsky
The Queen of Spades
Kirdjali
Egyptian Nights
The Captain's Daughte
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1836
1999 (English translation, Everyman's revised and expanded edition)
Physical description
616 p.; 5.3 inches
ISBN
0375405496 / 9780375405495