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sara_hildegard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
shannon_jayne1's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My introduction to Pushkin, I enjoyed the story and felt the writing produced a foreboding atmosphere, and so I am excited to read more.
jodiexmae's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
andredias's review against another edition
3.0
"Two fixed ideas can no more exist together in the moral world than two bodies can occupy one and the same place in the physical world."
This short story was the first Pushkin's work I've ever read. Published in 1834, the story highlights the effects of Human avarice. As an analysis of Russian society in the 1830s, Pushkin delivers an uncomplicated story with a symbolic message about the consequences of greediness. In a later part of the narrative, supernatural elements characterise the plot in a strange manner. Reality and the unreal flow hand by hand with an ambiguous ending. An ending that might have different perspectives according to each reader.
When it comes to the writing style, "The Queen of Spades" is a subtle, fine story, with a precise and simple plot. Like a roller-coaster when uncontrolled, gambling and other vices can be a significant threat to our own well-being. That's precisely what the author managed to convey.
Rating: 3/5 stars
This short story was the first Pushkin's work I've ever read. Published in 1834, the story highlights the effects of Human avarice. As an analysis of Russian society in the 1830s, Pushkin delivers an uncomplicated story with a symbolic message about the consequences of greediness. In a later part of the narrative, supernatural elements characterise the plot in a strange manner. Reality and the unreal flow hand by hand with an ambiguous ending. An ending that might have different perspectives according to each reader.
When it comes to the writing style, "The Queen of Spades" is a subtle, fine story, with a precise and simple plot. Like a roller-coaster when uncontrolled, gambling and other vices can be a significant threat to our own well-being. That's precisely what the author managed to convey.
Rating: 3/5 stars
laurenborbely's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ptitmousse's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
nina_stella's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
margaret_j_c's review against another edition
My first time reading Pushkin was similar to my first time listening to the Beatles: I suddenly understood why so many artists were dubbed "Beatles-inspired." Their influence was everywhere. It's the same with Pushkin - even having read only one of his stories I can see his impression in every post-Pushkin Russian author I've read. His protagonist in this story reminds me of Ivan Karamazov, but his presence is no less strongly felt in Chekhov or Tolstoy than in Dostoevsky.
hettym's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5