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adamjcalhoun's review
4.0
I could have sworn I reviewed this book when I read it last fall...
In any event, this is a clear depiction of the crappy events that the writer Maxim Gorky went through in his life. This book is the first in a trilogy that deals, of course, with his childhood. The thing that sticks out most in my mind from reading the book is how accurate the depiction of the behavior of children is. The almost-Chekhovian psychological insight into childhood is what is most compelling, even as the story meanders along the poor guy's crappy life.
In any event, this is a clear depiction of the crappy events that the writer Maxim Gorky went through in his life. This book is the first in a trilogy that deals, of course, with his childhood. The thing that sticks out most in my mind from reading the book is how accurate the depiction of the behavior of children is. The almost-Chekhovian psychological insight into childhood is what is most compelling, even as the story meanders along the poor guy's crappy life.
maaryaam's review
2.0
can you believe I finished bc I Cannot.
Okay so I thought this was a fiction novel which is dumb because I bought it based off of the blurb which very Heavily says it's not but I just see what I want to see so I continued thinking it's fiction:). Turns out not only is it non-fiction but it's also an autobiography woo:)). I've never read any of Gorky's novels or even heard of them (because I am incredibly well read) but apparently, he's like a very famous Russian author and here lied the Problem. I'm Clearly not the intended audience for the novel, if I had read his novels, was a fan of him, and interested in finding more about his life this would've very easily gotten a higher rating. Nonetheless, it got 3 stars which is still good.
The book is very chapter by chapter (that's every book one might say anyways:)) but what I mean is like there's no thread that keeps the story linked other than that it's his life (this wasn't a flaw, I was fine with it), it was in chronological order btw, but what happened was some chapters were really good (especially towards the end) and I couldn't get enough of it and flew past them. Then other chapters felt like rubbing sand on my bare eyeballs:))). But anyways, it was still interesting I liked it.
Okay so I thought this was a fiction novel which is dumb because I bought it based off of the blurb which very Heavily says it's not but I just see what I want to see so I continued thinking it's fiction:). Turns out not only is it non-fiction but it's also an autobiography woo:)). I've never read any of Gorky's novels or even heard of them (because I am incredibly well read) but apparently, he's like a very famous Russian author and here lied the Problem. I'm Clearly not the intended audience for the novel, if I had read his novels, was a fan of him, and interested in finding more about his life this would've very easily gotten a higher rating. Nonetheless, it got 3 stars which is still good.
The book is very chapter by chapter (that's every book one might say anyways:)) but what I mean is like there's no thread that keeps the story linked other than that it's his life (this wasn't a flaw, I was fine with it), it was in chronological order btw, but what happened was some chapters were really good (especially towards the end) and I couldn't get enough of it and flew past them. Then other chapters felt like rubbing sand on my bare eyeballs:))). But anyways, it was still interesting I liked it.
cinnamonfox's review
4.0
Copilăria este un un roman autobiografic, primul volum dintr-o trilogie, fiind urmat de În lume (1914) și Universitățile mele (1923). Amintirile scriitorului datează din momentul în care moare tatăl său și el, copil fiind, este martor la înmormântarea unui om drag. După ce rămâne orfan, ajunge să locuiască la bunicii săi, iar copilăria îi este marcată de către figura bunicului, chipul mamei, dar și anturajul și familia extinsă alături de care băiatul trebuie să crească, cumva.
Recenzia completă pe blog.
Recenzia completă pe blog.
bent's review
5.0
I read this when I was 21. I related a lot to Gorky's thoughts and feelings. I don't remember a lot of the details, I just remember reading several parts of this book and thinking "that's right, I have felt the exact same way!" Although I enjoyed the subsequent volumes in this series, they never had the same impact that this one did, so perfectly matching my own feelings and emotions.
brainwatched's review
4.0
I devoured this short memoir; it's at once so harrowing and painful the poverty and abuse encapsulated in a childhood but at the same time the resilience and mischief of Gorky's recollections and the charming, loving presence of his Grandmother as a pillar of silliness and strength make it an engrossing, captivating read. The only small issue throughout the text for me was that it was at times quite difficult to grasp the age of Gorky and the passage of time, leading to moments of feeling confused with the narrative. That being said, though I look forward to Gorky's other work and I cannot wait to come back to this memoir and read it again.
uroybd's review
5.0
সবচেয়ে ভালো বইগুলো পড়া শেষ করেই বোধহয় কিছু বলা কঠিন। এমনভাবে আচ্ছন্ন করে রাখে যে নিজেকে আলাদা করে দাঁড় করিয়ে তার ভালোমন্দ বিচার করা কঠিন হয়ে পড়ে।
বইটায় আমার খারাপ লাগেনি কিছুই। কষ্ট লেগেছে, মানুষের নীচতায়, হীনতায়। গোর্কির লেখা বরাবরই মেদবর্জিত। নিপাট সত্যভাষণ গোছের। রিয়ালিস্ট লেখার মহাযজ্ঞের প্রথমদিককার সাগ্নিক তিনি। রিয়ালিস্ট মানেই কিন্তু নীরস না। কোনোকিছুই কি আসলে আনরিয়েল? প্রবল পরাবাস্তব লেখাও লেখকের নিজের রঙে রাঙানো বাস্তবতার আখ্যান।
গোর্কির আত্মজৈবনিক লেখা এটি। তার বাবার মৃত্যু থেকে মায়ের মৃত্যুর সময়কাল পর্যন্ত এই বইয়ের পরিধি। রুশ গণমানুষের জীবনযাপন উপজীব্য। গণমানুষ সবসময়ই দরিদ্র ও শ্রীহীন। এখানকার অধিকাংশ চরিত্রও তাই। এরমধ্যেও সৌন্দর্য থাকে। গোর্কির চোখ ছিল সেই সৌন্দর্য দেখার। চমৎকার মাতামহী আর তার অজস্র গল্প, বাবা-মায়ের প্রেম ও সংসার, দারিদ্র, শিক্ষা, অপমান এমনকি রাস্তার টোকাইদের জীবনযাপন, এই সবকিছুর যে কোণাওয়ালা, ধারালো সৌন্দর্য, ভয়াবহ ক্ষুধার বিভীষিকাময় সৌন্দর্য, সেই সৌন্দর্যে উপাখ্যান 'My Childhood'।
বইটায় আমার খারাপ লাগেনি কিছুই। কষ্ট লেগেছে, মানুষের নীচতায়, হীনতায়। গোর্কির লেখা বরাবরই মেদবর্জিত। নিপাট সত্যভাষণ গোছের। রিয়ালিস্ট লেখার মহাযজ্ঞের প্রথমদিককার সাগ্নিক তিনি। রিয়ালিস্ট মানেই কিন্তু নীরস না। কোনোকিছুই কি আসলে আনরিয়েল? প্রবল পরাবাস্তব লেখাও লেখকের নিজের রঙে রাঙানো বাস্তবতার আখ্যান।
গোর্কির আত্মজৈবনিক লেখা এটি। তার বাবার মৃত্যু থেকে মায়ের মৃত্যুর সময়কাল পর্যন্ত এই বইয়ের পরিধি। রুশ গণমানুষের জীবনযাপন উপজীব্য। গণমানুষ সবসময়ই দরিদ্র ও শ্রীহীন। এখানকার অধিকাংশ চরিত্রও তাই। এরমধ্যেও সৌন্দর্য থাকে। গোর্কির চোখ ছিল সেই সৌন্দর্য দেখার। চমৎকার মাতামহী আর তার অজস্র গল্প, বাবা-মায়ের প্রেম ও সংসার, দারিদ্র, শিক্ষা, অপমান এমনকি রাস্তার টোকাইদের জীবনযাপন, এই সবকিছুর যে কোণাওয়ালা, ধারালো সৌন্দর্য, ভয়াবহ ক্ষুধার বিভীষিকাময় সৌন্দর্য, সেই সৌন্দর্যে উপাখ্যান 'My Childhood'।
ookie's review
5.0
An unforgettable memoir of Maxim Gorky’s childhood. While it portrays poverty and violence, it is still, for me however, a beautiful book. The language (well done translator) and subtle but powerful descriptions, despite the brutality, make it a piece of writing which will live with me always.