Scan barcode
caliesha's review
3.0
…Yes, envy. Here a drama must unfold, one of those grandiose dramas in the theater of history that have inspired the lament, ecstasy, sympathy, and fury of mankind. Without even knowing it, you are a bearer of a historical mission. You are a clot, so to speak. A clot of envy in the dying era’s bloodstream. The dying era envies the era that’s coming to take its place.
The immediate effects of this novel on me were twofold in nature: on one hand, appealing to my romantic sensibilities, I was struck with the desire to write poetry on a bench and listen to the bells toll in Moscow town square; on the other hand, characterized by a strong sense of revulsion, I was struck by the overwhelming desire to go vegan. I am not interested in knowing how the sausage is made, even when it is a metaphor for the envy of the eras and Olesha’s central focus on gluttony and power. I respect the satirization and flowery prose, but overall not my fave.
The immediate effects of this novel on me were twofold in nature: on one hand, appealing to my romantic sensibilities, I was struck with the desire to write poetry on a bench and listen to the bells toll in Moscow town square; on the other hand, characterized by a strong sense of revulsion, I was struck by the overwhelming desire to go vegan. I am not interested in knowing how the sausage is made, even when it is a metaphor for the envy of the eras and Olesha’s central focus on gluttony and power. I respect the satirization and flowery prose, but overall not my fave.
chloeisconscious's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
sarapalooza's review
4.0
Envy / Зависть
Olesha / Олеша
The search for tasty and cheap foodstuff. A man of the “new world.” A man longing for a time lost. A killer robot. Soccer. A sofa. And LOTS OF ENVY. Olesha’s “Envy” was much talked about when it was published in the late 20s. It’s one of those rare books that was lauded pretty universally by both establishment and more antiestablishment critics. By turns funny and disturbing, Very experimental and quirky for the time. Definitely some parallels to Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground. Envy is an interesting piece.
#Олеша #Зависть
Olesha / Олеша
The search for tasty and cheap foodstuff. A man of the “new world.” A man longing for a time lost. A killer robot. Soccer. A sofa. And LOTS OF ENVY. Olesha’s “Envy” was much talked about when it was published in the late 20s. It’s one of those rare books that was lauded pretty universally by both establishment and more antiestablishment critics. By turns funny and disturbing, Very experimental and quirky for the time. Definitely some parallels to Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground. Envy is an interesting piece.
#Олеша #Зависть
leanbean's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
2.75
williamstoner's review
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I did like it, but I did get a little confused with the names being so similar, and the long quotes. However, I found the plot to be good, Olesha’s commentary on emotion was very thought-provoking.
littletroll's review
5.0
"In 1956, soon after the Soviet Union adopted a less rigid policy toward Western visitors, a Russian librarian reportedly complained she was tired of being told by Americans that Envy was the greatest Soviet novel." -Prof Brown, Russian Literature Since the Revolution (1963)
All I can say is that if I were to bombard a Russian librarian (I've rarely been given the chance) with some of my favorite Russian novels, this would be one.
All I can say is that if I were to bombard a Russian librarian (I've rarely been given the chance) with some of my favorite Russian novels, this would be one.
zoe_schlosser's review
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
soniafriemel's review
3.0
had to read for school, but i actully thought it was pretty good. not my usual taste in books
wshier's review
3.0
Dostoyevsky's Underground Man meets Daniel Tosh. To give an example, I'm fairly certain that the idea for the landlady scene in the movie Kingpin was lifted from this book.
h1914's review
4.0
"...my dear, we were record holders, we were spoiled by our generation, too, we were used to being first there, too... at home... where at home?... There, in the dwindling era. Oh, how wonderful the rising world is, oh how the holiday they will not let us celebrate sparkles. Everything flows from this, the new era, everything is drawn to it, it will get the best gifts and exclamations. I love it, this world that's coming toward me, more than life, I worship it and hate it with every fiber of my being! I sob, tears gush from my eyes, but I want to poke my fingers in its clothes and rip. Don't outshine me! Don't take away what might have belonged to me."