Reviews

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin

whenemmafallsinlove's review against another edition

4.0

“Ah yes, he loved in such a fashion
As men today no longer do;
As only poets, mad with passion,
Still love… because they’re fated to.”

I love love love Pushkin. I don’t usually (never) read novels in verse, but Pushkin has a way with writing, so it’s a must. Kudos to the translater, they did a good job.

nal1ni's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

mirrorofneptune's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Alright Dostoevsky I read Pushkin are you happy now 

karolinadockalova's review against another edition

4.0

How is it possible, that book can speak to your soul so deeply and profoundly?

laurenkara's review against another edition

5.0

i want to get "but i was simply not intended for happiness — that alien role" tattooed on me. this book hurt my soul in the best way.

janie_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

novelideea's review against another edition

challenging reflective fast-paced

4.25

keberwick's review against another edition

4.0

Eugene Onegin is one of the first novels featuring the superfluous man. Eugene Onegin is a young nobleman—wealthy from old family money—who has no real responsibility or care in the world. As a result, he becomes burdened with ennui and bemoans his lot in life, unable to see past himself to appreciate what the world offers. He goes through life resenting that he must leave the playground that is Moscow in order to take care of his fatally ill uncle—fulfilling the role social niceties force him to play. Upon arrival, he finds his uncle dead and the entire estate entrusted to him. Like all of the superfluous men, for a brief time he is enchanted with running the estate and the quaint customs of country life, but as is to be expected, soon grows bored. He meets Vladimir Lensky and the two quickly become friends. The two men meet Tatiana and Olga Larina, daughters of a wealthy land owner in the area. Lensky immediately becomes besotted with Olga and quickly proposes. Tatiana, the elder sister, never had any interest in suitors, but becomes infatuated with Onegin. However, upon making her feelings known, his ennui leads him to reject her feelings, and sets the lives of Eugene Onegin, Vladimir Lensky, and the Larina sisters on the road to tragedy.

If I were to introduce anyone to Russian literature, I think I would choose this book to be their introduction. Written in verse, it is much easier for someone with little to no experience in the realm of Russian literature to follow the plot (easier for those of us who do have experience in this realm, too). While poetry never translates well, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel (epic?) and would honestly recommend it to anyone, not just fans of Russian literature.

piperoj's review against another edition

5.0

One of the prettiest books I’ve read!

arquero's review against another edition

3.0

lengthy writing, nasty protagonist, spoiling social setting.