Reviews

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin

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.

a2gst's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

theimmortalbookdisaster's review

funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

seforana's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Toxic friendship, Gore, and Grief

epaurov's review

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

5.0

casparb's review against another edition

Banger and definitely one to dispel the image of the Russian novel as a nine hundred page ticket to depression. Pushkin is joy - the verse reeks of joy. Very impressive to translate a verse novel into verse also. Falen makes a convincing job of it.

It's not hard to see how this becomes a national epic thank you AP