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codexmendoza's review
3.0
A very uneven collection of stories. I think more interesting for its historical value (the ones where she meets Rasputin and fights Tolstoy). There are some clever and interesting lines but overall the majority of stories are largely fine but forgettable.
acatcalledmartha's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Cute stories, but most seemed pretty surface level. They got better as I kept reading, but I still wasn’t that impressed
izzy_feen's review
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
r_evol's review against another edition
3.0
This collection of stories by Teffi was a fantastic way to get into her work, which I will definitely be reading more of. From what I've gathered Teffi kind of a hidden gem in the world of Russian Literature, which tends to focus on the very masculine 'great novels' by authors like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. Teffi is sometimes called 'the female Chekov' by some (which I find problematic), nevertheless they are right in their allusion to her having a place among the masters of the short story.
What makes this edition of her works so accessible is that they are split up into digestible periods of her writing, e.g. pre-Revolution, Paris in the 1920s and 30s, etc.. This also shows her development as a writer and the themes that preoccupied her during various periods of her life. The introduction outlining Teffi's life was interesting in itself and her many experiences enrich the flavour of her writing. She has a lot to say about Rasputin (who she met a few times) and the experience of being a Russian emigre in Paris after the Revolution.
I'm so glad I was able to discover Teffi's writing and I am keen to read some of her memoirs.
What makes this edition of her works so accessible is that they are split up into digestible periods of her writing, e.g. pre-Revolution, Paris in the 1920s and 30s, etc.. This also shows her development as a writer and the themes that preoccupied her during various periods of her life. The introduction outlining Teffi's life was interesting in itself and her many experiences enrich the flavour of her writing. She has a lot to say about Rasputin (who she met a few times) and the experience of being a Russian emigre in Paris after the Revolution.
I'm so glad I was able to discover Teffi's writing and I am keen to read some of her memoirs.
lnatal's review
3.0
From BBC Radio 4:
A series of tales by Teffi, a literary star in pre-revolutionary Russia who has been published again:
1. In Marquita, translated by Robert Chandler, the shy chanteuse and single mother puts more passion into her date with a wealthy Tartar. Does her new approach succeed?
2. The Hat and My First Tolstoy
Two tales, translated by Anne Marie Jackson, that deal crisply with the vanities of fashion and literary homage. Cautionary tales both !
3. In Heart of a Valkyrie, translated by Anne Marie Jackson, the husband does little as his wife works all hours. The neighbours laugh at him, until a remarkable 'change' takes place..
A series of tales by Teffi, a literary star in pre-revolutionary Russia who has been published again:
1. In Marquita, translated by Robert Chandler, the shy chanteuse and single mother puts more passion into her date with a wealthy Tartar. Does her new approach succeed?
2. The Hat and My First Tolstoy
Two tales, translated by Anne Marie Jackson, that deal crisply with the vanities of fashion and literary homage. Cautionary tales both !
3. In Heart of a Valkyrie, translated by Anne Marie Jackson, the husband does little as his wife works all hours. The neighbours laugh at him, until a remarkable 'change' takes place..
quintusmarcus's review
1.0
Don't believe the rapturous reviews: these stories are boring and conventional, almost as bad as Irene Nemirovsky's.
sookieskipper's review
4.0
4 stars, I really liked it
After reading this, I can understand why I couldn't quite get into Nabokov as many others.
After reading this, I can understand why I couldn't quite get into Nabokov as many others.
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