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slink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
wwatts1734's review against another edition
5.0
Alexander Pushkin is without a doubt the most influential writer in Russian literature, with just about every great Russian novelist and poet who came after him in his debt. Pushkin is to Russian literature what Shakespeare is to English literature, what Dante is to Italian literature and what Homer was to the literature of the Ancient Greeks. Eugene Onegin is undoubtedly Pushkin's masterpiece.
I read the Johnston translation which is actually in rhyming verse in English in the same stanza format as Pushkin used. While I was reading, I had to ask myself, surely this can't be even close to the Russian, because in order to manipulate the words and moods of English grammar, Johnston must have changed a lot from the Russian. Some day, if I am persistent enough to learn Russian, perhaps I could read Onegin in the original and be able to comment on how faithful this version is. But, having conceded that I have read something that is probably a far cry from the original, I must say that it was enjoyable.
The story is about Eugene Onegin, a studly Russian nobleman who meets the young St. Petersburg ladies Olga and Tatiana, the latter of the two falls in love with Onegin. Onegin has somewhat mutual feelings for her, but he gets carried away by his position in society and has no time for romance. Onegin and Olga's beau Vladimir have a falling out and Onegin kills Vladimir in a duel (ironic, since Pushkin himself was killed in a duel). From there the story spirals out of control, the characters scatter to the four winds, and Tatyiana marries into an important noble family and shows up Onegin in the end.
The actual storyline only takes up a small part of the narrative, as Onegin is as much a commentary on Russian society in the 1830s as it is a story about lost love. If you are not used to reading verse, it may be distracting to you to read it at first, but stick with it as it is worth hanging on. By the end of the story you will be glad that you did, as it is ultimately stirring and moving.
I would recommend Eugene Onegin to anyone with an interest in Russian literature.
I read the Johnston translation which is actually in rhyming verse in English in the same stanza format as Pushkin used. While I was reading, I had to ask myself, surely this can't be even close to the Russian, because in order to manipulate the words and moods of English grammar, Johnston must have changed a lot from the Russian. Some day, if I am persistent enough to learn Russian, perhaps I could read Onegin in the original and be able to comment on how faithful this version is. But, having conceded that I have read something that is probably a far cry from the original, I must say that it was enjoyable.
The story is about Eugene Onegin, a studly Russian nobleman who meets the young St. Petersburg ladies Olga and Tatiana, the latter of the two falls in love with Onegin. Onegin has somewhat mutual feelings for her, but he gets carried away by his position in society and has no time for romance. Onegin and Olga's beau Vladimir have a falling out and Onegin kills Vladimir in a duel (ironic, since Pushkin himself was killed in a duel). From there the story spirals out of control, the characters scatter to the four winds, and Tatyiana marries into an important noble family and shows up Onegin in the end.
The actual storyline only takes up a small part of the narrative, as Onegin is as much a commentary on Russian society in the 1830s as it is a story about lost love. If you are not used to reading verse, it may be distracting to you to read it at first, but stick with it as it is worth hanging on. By the end of the story you will be glad that you did, as it is ultimately stirring and moving.
I would recommend Eugene Onegin to anyone with an interest in Russian literature.
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