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erinmcquade's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Beautiful writing at times, I had grown to hate the main character which might have been Tolstoy's goal for his readership.
Beautiful writing at times, I had grown to hate the main character which might have been Tolstoy's goal for his readership.
alfredgd's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
in which (the projection of) young Tolstoy learns that poor people are people, too
kimberlyjerger's review against another edition
3.0
*3
Childhood, Boyhood, Youth is a trilogy of novels that together encompass Leo Tolstoy’s first major work. The trilogy follows the early life of young Nikolenka as he grows from a child and continues into his time in university.
Nikolenka, having been born into a wealthy family, and thus supposing himself better in all regards than other men, was entirely unlikeable as a character. While his sense of self-importance and self-inflation may have been Tolstoy’s intention, in effect describing how one’s privilege easily lends to arrogance, it was irritating to read (particularly the third novel, Youth, in which Nikolenka thinks himself unequivocally superior to everyone around him). Childhood and Boyhood were markedly different in this aspect, and lent more to a nostalgia and descriptive beauty that was compelling.
As Nikolenka struggles to find his place in society and among his peers, Childhood, Boyhood, Youth chronicles his adventures, misgivings, and triumphs. As his ignorance and self-absorption rose throughout Youth, however, it became quite a struggle to continue through to the end of the final novel.
Childhood, Boyhood, Youth is a trilogy of novels that together encompass Leo Tolstoy’s first major work. The trilogy follows the early life of young Nikolenka as he grows from a child and continues into his time in university.
Nikolenka, having been born into a wealthy family, and thus supposing himself better in all regards than other men, was entirely unlikeable as a character. While his sense of self-importance and self-inflation may have been Tolstoy’s intention, in effect describing how one’s privilege easily lends to arrogance, it was irritating to read (particularly the third novel, Youth, in which Nikolenka thinks himself unequivocally superior to everyone around him). Childhood and Boyhood were markedly different in this aspect, and lent more to a nostalgia and descriptive beauty that was compelling.
As Nikolenka struggles to find his place in society and among his peers, Childhood, Boyhood, Youth chronicles his adventures, misgivings, and triumphs. As his ignorance and self-absorption rose throughout Youth, however, it became quite a struggle to continue through to the end of the final novel.
emiliano_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jazrphillips's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mariabarroso97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
nullieltres's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first Tolstoy book (as part of Dickens vs Tolstoy book club), and can never deny how pure, affecting, genuine, and stimulating this was. The characters are vivid, adorable and sometimes annoying, but then I can relate their traits to people around me. The fact that they are flawed (more so in the POV of narrator) made me more attached to them and wishing for some time to converse with them over a cup of tea or coffee while someone's playing the piano.
This book made me feel something, and guiltily connecting my narrow-minded thoughts back when I was younger to Nicolinka's experiences. It made me mad, smile, sad, contemplate, and other emotion that is the product of what's mentioned.
I like this & the more I think about it, the more I grow fond of the story's wholeness. I'm glad I read this. And, I LOVE Tolstoy's way of writing, I can imagine myself having his words as my breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I would gladly chew, feel its texture on my mouth, and let it glide through my esophagus with unlimited stomach space.
This book made me feel something, and guiltily connecting my narrow-minded thoughts back when I was younger to Nicolinka's experiences. It made me mad, smile, sad, contemplate, and other emotion that is the product of what's mentioned.
I like this & the more I think about it, the more I grow fond of the story's wholeness. I'm glad I read this. And, I LOVE Tolstoy's way of writing, I can imagine myself having his words as my breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I would gladly chew, feel its texture on my mouth, and let it glide through my esophagus with unlimited stomach space.
nikkidglr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
at the time of writing this short review it has been a few days since i finished the book. i felt like i needed to reflect upon it a bit, and i am glad i did. when i first finished the book i didn’t feel that i liked it a lot, but it has been about a week and i find that i miss the characters and their stories, and that is very important to me. it shows me that this book affected me more than i thought, and therefore it deserves a higher rating than what it would have gotten, had i rated it when i finished it.
sipy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75