You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Scarlet Sails, a beloved Russian fairy-tale for adults and children alike, is a story about dreams coming true, no matter how silly or futile or far-reached they may seem.
(Because of this book, I even had a sailor suit when I was little :D)
Who hasn't had wild childhood dreams that we secretly hoped would come true? Alexander Grin wrote a book where they do. Written in the early 20th century, in the newly socialist Russia where realism and class struggle were supposed to be the ultimate goal in art, this simple story pays homage to the romaticism and human everlasting need to dream and hope¹. And really, you'd be hard-pressed to find an ex-Soviet who is not familiar with this fantastical novella, a fairytale for children and adults.
This is a story of a young girl Assol, a sailor's daughter, ostracized by her village because of her father's (justified) actions, who is told by an old storyteller on an old man's whim that someday a ship under scarlet sails would come to take her away. This is a story of Arthur Gray, a boy from a rich family (in a castle!) who is noble and kind and dreams of becoming a sea captain. One day, their paths are meant to intersect and they will find happiness.
There are no major conflicts in this story. There are no twists. There is no suspense or mystery or any doubt about where this story is headed. It's simple and straightforward. It's tranquil, lyrical, and kind. And somehow it has some magic inside its pages that made the little Nataliya read this book so many times cover to cover until it literally fell apart. It speaks to our inner romantics who patiently wait for a bit of wish-fulfillment. It melts my cynical soul with its simple beauty.
It speaks to the heart of those who ever feel trapped in their lives wishing for something else, hoping that something or someone would interfere and take you away to something better. It speaks to those who have ever felt that they don't fully belong in the world they live in, that they are meant to do something else, to experience other horizons beyond their houses and offices and routine lives. Alexander Grin must have felt that way, running away from home to become a sailor, pursuing romanticism and adventures in his imaginary land of Grinlandia when in fact he was trapped in the poor, militant, broken environment of his time.
Of course, I have heard the grumping about the inappropriateness of a young woman waiting for a prince under scarlet sails, of a couple falling in love at the first sight (or, in case of Assol, even before the first sight). But that's what most of the fairy-tales seem to be about, right? And somehow it took over the heart and soul of kiddo Nataliya, a fiercely independent, headstrong and stubborn child (too stubborn for my own good, my mom used to say) - a girl who never played with dolls and would scowl at the idea of being rescued by a handsome prince - and made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside even now, when I reread it as an escape from recent emotional exhaustion. And it has a quiet message - sometimes we can make our own miracles, if we want them badly enough.
Four stars for the beloved childhood companion. I'd recommend it, but I'm afraid I heard that the English translation is rather weak (I read it in Russian, of course). But here is the link to the 1961 movie (with English subtitles) that is mostly true to the spirit of the book, and is quite beautiful.
(Because of this book, I even had a sailor suit when I was little :D)
Who hasn't had wild childhood dreams that we secretly hoped would come true? Alexander Grin wrote a book where they do. Written in the early 20th century, in the newly socialist Russia where realism and class struggle were supposed to be the ultimate goal in art, this simple story pays homage to the romaticism and human everlasting need to dream and hope¹. And really, you'd be hard-pressed to find an ex-Soviet who is not familiar with this fantastical novella, a fairytale for children and adults.
¹ Despite this, the story was deeply loved by Soviet censors and public alike. The censors and the 'higher-ups' seemed to take a stand that the titular scarlet sails were a direct allusion to the uplifting power of the Great October Socialist Revolution, the color of revolutionary romaticism. But sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and, really, an attempt to find the glorification of revolution in this sweet escapist novella wold be pathetically far-fetched.
This is a story of a young girl Assol, a sailor's daughter, ostracized by her village because of her father's (justified) actions, who is told by an old storyteller on an old man's whim that someday a ship under scarlet sails would come to take her away. This is a story of Arthur Gray, a boy from a rich family (in a castle!) who is noble and kind and dreams of becoming a sea captain. One day, their paths are meant to intersect and they will find happiness.
There are no major conflicts in this story. There are no twists. There is no suspense or mystery or any doubt about where this story is headed. It's simple and straightforward. It's tranquil, lyrical, and kind. And somehow it has some magic inside its pages that made the little Nataliya read this book so many times cover to cover until it literally fell apart. It speaks to our inner romantics who patiently wait for a bit of wish-fulfillment. It melts my cynical soul with its simple beauty.
It speaks to the heart of those who ever feel trapped in their lives wishing for something else, hoping that something or someone would interfere and take you away to something better. It speaks to those who have ever felt that they don't fully belong in the world they live in, that they are meant to do something else, to experience other horizons beyond their houses and offices and routine lives. Alexander Grin must have felt that way, running away from home to become a sailor, pursuing romanticism and adventures in his imaginary land of Grinlandia when in fact he was trapped in the poor, militant, broken environment of his time.
Of course, I have heard the grumping about the inappropriateness of a young woman waiting for a prince under scarlet sails, of a couple falling in love at the first sight (or, in case of Assol, even before the first sight). But that's what most of the fairy-tales seem to be about, right? And somehow it took over the heart and soul of kiddo Nataliya, a fiercely independent, headstrong and stubborn child (too stubborn for my own good, my mom used to say) - a girl who never played with dolls and would scowl at the idea of being rescued by a handsome prince - and made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside even now, when I reread it as an escape from recent emotional exhaustion. And it has a quiet message - sometimes we can make our own miracles, if we want them badly enough.
Four stars for the beloved childhood companion. I'd recommend it, but I'm afraid I heard that the English translation is rather weak (I read it in Russian, of course). But here is the link to the 1961 movie (with English subtitles) that is mostly true to the spirit of the book, and is quite beautiful.
"He sat, quietly moving the bow, making the strings speak in a magical outworldly voice, and thought about happiness..."
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Το βιβλίο είναι ένα σύγχρονο παραμύθι χωρίς φανταστικό στοιχείο, αλλά εξίσου μαγευτικό.
Ο ναυτικός Λόνγκρεν γυρνάει σπίτι του μετά από καιρό και βρίσκει τη γυναίκα του νεκρή και τη μικρή κόρη του, Ασσολ, να την φροντίζει μια γειτόνισσα. Αναγκάζεται να αφήσει τη θάλασσα, για να την προσέχει κι αρχίζει να φτιάχνει ξύλινα καραβάκια για να ζήσουν.
Μια μέρα που η Ασσολ πηγαίνει μέσα απ' το δάσος στην πόλη για να πουλήσει τα καραβάκια στο κατάστημα παιχνιδιών, συναντάει τον ξακουστό παραμυθά Εγκλ. Εκείνος βλέποντας ένα άσπρο καραβάκι με κόκκινα πανιά του πατέρα της εμπνέεται και κάνει μια προφητεία. Θα βγει η προφητεία αληθινή και με ποιόν τρόπο;
Το βιβλίο είναι ένα πολύ γλυκό αληθοφανές παραμύθι για μεγάλους, αν και την εποχή που γράφτηκε στη Ρωσία θεωρήθηκε τουλάχιστον νεανικό. Μου άρεσε πολύ, αλλά απ' ό,τι άκουσα μόλις εξαντλήθηκε. Εύχομαι η Κίχλη να το ανατυπώσει.
Ο ναυτικός Λόνγκρεν γυρνάει σπίτι του μετά από καιρό και βρίσκει τη γυναίκα του νεκρή και τη μικρή κόρη του, Ασσολ, να την φροντίζει μια γειτόνισσα. Αναγκάζεται να αφήσει τη θάλασσα, για να την προσέχει κι αρχίζει να φτιάχνει ξύλινα καραβάκια για να ζήσουν.
Μια μέρα που η Ασσολ πηγαίνει μέσα απ' το δάσος στην πόλη για να πουλήσει τα καραβάκια στο κατάστημα παιχνιδιών, συναντάει τον ξακουστό παραμυθά Εγκλ. Εκείνος βλέποντας ένα άσπρο καραβάκι με κόκκινα πανιά του πατέρα της εμπνέεται και κάνει μια προφητεία. Θα βγει η προφητεία αληθινή και με ποιόν τρόπο;
Το βιβλίο είναι ένα πολύ γλυκό αληθοφανές παραμύθι για μεγάλους, αν και την εποχή που γράφτηκε στη Ρωσία θεωρήθηκε τουλάχιστον νεανικό. Μου άρεσε πολύ, αλλά απ' ό,τι άκουσα μόλις εξαντλήθηκε. Εύχομαι η Κίχλη να το ανατυπώσει.
one of the first love stories i've EVER read. so touching and cutee! love them more than anything <3
One of the best books I have read about true love as well as on the power of dreams. And an incredible read for any age group.
По атмосфере "Алые паруса" почему-то напомнили "Маленького принца". Очень красиво написано. И да, я первый раз читала.
I've wanted to read this for years and years and I finally got around to it. It's a lovely, simple little tale with more depth than you'd think at first, and the translation seems well-done...or at least, I appreciated the language even though it wasn't in the first language.
Cynical as I am, I expected a very different ending: I'm more than happy to take it.
Quote Roundup
p. 16) In his silence there had been so much more than mere hate. And not a person failed to sense this. If he had only screamed, expressed his joy at Manners' plight in gestures, or shown pride in his own maliciousness, the fishermen might have understood. But he had acted differently from the way any of them would have acted. His conduct was utterly incomprehensible. He had set himself above everyone else, and by doing so had committed the unforgivable.
p. 36) "The future will show you many a sail, not scarlet, but dirty and evil. From a distance they'll look grand and white but close by they will be torn and coarse."
p. 46) "This is paradise! I have it right here, see?" And Grey laughed quietly, opening his palm.
From the mouths of children...
p. 66) She listened without reproach. But in what he had found to be the meaning of his life, the truth of his being, she saw only toys with which her little boy was amusing himself. Such toys as continents, oceans, ships.
p. 94) Nowadays, children, in their games, only imitated what their elders did.
p. 144)
The one you do it for will be reborn and so will you. When the chief warden himself frees a prisoner; when a billionaire presents a villa, a chorus girl, and a safe full of money to a clerk; and when a jockey just for once holds his horse back for the sake of a horse who's had a run of bad luck, everyone understands. That is nice, that is inexpressibly miraculous. But there are other miracles: a smile, gladness, forgiveness, and a word which is needed and said in time. To experience them is to possess everything.
Cynical as I am, I expected a very different ending:
Spoiler
I thought that Asole would have decided to make her own miracle by leaving the town the very morning that Grey sailed into the bay. That seemed suitably adult. Instead, and I can't say that I regret this at all, we get a very fairy tale-like and charming happy ending.Quote Roundup
p. 16) In his silence there had been so much more than mere hate. And not a person failed to sense this. If he had only screamed, expressed his joy at Manners' plight in gestures, or shown pride in his own maliciousness, the fishermen might have understood. But he had acted differently from the way any of them would have acted. His conduct was utterly incomprehensible. He had set himself above everyone else, and by doing so had committed the unforgivable.
p. 36) "The future will show you many a sail, not scarlet, but dirty and evil. From a distance they'll look grand and white but close by they will be torn and coarse."
p. 46) "This is paradise! I have it right here, see?" And Grey laughed quietly, opening his palm.
From the mouths of children...
p. 66) She listened without reproach. But in what he had found to be the meaning of his life, the truth of his being, she saw only toys with which her little boy was amusing himself. Such toys as continents, oceans, ships.
p. 94) Nowadays, children, in their games, only imitated what their elders did.
p. 144)
Spoiler
So-called miracles are made with one's own hands. When the most important thing for a man is to get a precious sixpence, it's easy enough to provide him with that sixpence. But when a heart conceals the seed of a flaming plant, a miracle, that is the miracle to make happen--if one can.The one you do it for will be reborn and so will you. When the chief warden himself frees a prisoner; when a billionaire presents a villa, a chorus girl, and a safe full of money to a clerk; and when a jockey just for once holds his horse back for the sake of a horse who's had a run of bad luck, everyone understands. That is nice, that is inexpressibly miraculous. But there are other miracles: a smile, gladness, forgiveness, and a word which is needed and said in time. To experience them is to possess everything.
Đáng nhẽ phải đọc Cánh buồm đỏ thắm rất nhanh vì quyển truyện cũng mỏng, nhưng những đoạn mô tả tâm lý hay góc nhìn của các nhân vật, với những suy nghĩ lộn xộn đôi khi khiến mình phải đọc lại nhiều lần.
Nếu thời tuổi hồng thơ ngây đọc cuốn này thì sẽ đúng kiểu truyện cổ tích của một cô gái đáng thương nhưng xinh đẹp, tìm thấy tình yêu của cuộc đời là một chàng trai cá tính, lãng tử, hết lòng vì người yêu. Rồi bài học rút ra đó là hãy kiên trì với niềm tin, mơ ước của chính mình, dù cho thiên hạ có cười nhạo ra sao, bởi một ngày nó sẽ trở thành hiện thực, bạn sẽ thành công và người khác sẽ phải nhìn với con mắt thèm muốn, biến tất cả những khổ đau, tủi nhục trở thành dĩ vãng ...
Nhưng ở tuổi của mình, những ngôn từ diễm lệ mà tác giả dùng để khắc họa chiều sâu của các nhân vật đôi khi khá dài dòng, hoặc thậm chí là hơi quá. Nội dung đúng chất chỉ có trong cổ tích còn ngoài đời thực, không thể áp dụng mô típ này lên mọi giấc mơ.
Tuy vậy, trong cuốn sách cũng có một số câu cũng đáng để suy ngẫm ví dụ như đoạn Loren thầm nói với Assol khi cô bé đang ngủ trong lòng mình rằng: "Khi nào con lớn, con sẽ quên thôi, còn bây giờ thì không nên tước bỏ một thứ đồ chơi đẹp đẽ như vậy. Sau này, cái mà con phải nhìn thấy không phải cánh buồm đỏ thắm mà là những cánh buồm bẩn thỉu, độc địa, nhìn từ xa thì có vẻ đẹp đẽ, trắng trẻo, đến gần thì rách nát, xấu xa… Mặc dù vậy, con hãy cứ nghĩ như bố: Rồi con sẽ có những cánh buồm đỏ thắm”.
Nếu thời tuổi hồng thơ ngây đọc cuốn này thì sẽ đúng kiểu truyện cổ tích của một cô gái đáng thương nhưng xinh đẹp, tìm thấy tình yêu của cuộc đời là một chàng trai cá tính, lãng tử, hết lòng vì người yêu. Rồi bài học rút ra đó là hãy kiên trì với niềm tin, mơ ước của chính mình, dù cho thiên hạ có cười nhạo ra sao, bởi một ngày nó sẽ trở thành hiện thực, bạn sẽ thành công và người khác sẽ phải nhìn với con mắt thèm muốn, biến tất cả những khổ đau, tủi nhục trở thành dĩ vãng ...
Nhưng ở tuổi của mình, những ngôn từ diễm lệ mà tác giả dùng để khắc họa chiều sâu của các nhân vật đôi khi khá dài dòng, hoặc thậm chí là hơi quá. Nội dung đúng chất chỉ có trong cổ tích còn ngoài đời thực, không thể áp dụng mô típ này lên mọi giấc mơ.
Tuy vậy, trong cuốn sách cũng có một số câu cũng đáng để suy ngẫm ví dụ như đoạn Loren thầm nói với Assol khi cô bé đang ngủ trong lòng mình rằng: "Khi nào con lớn, con sẽ quên thôi, còn bây giờ thì không nên tước bỏ một thứ đồ chơi đẹp đẽ như vậy. Sau này, cái mà con phải nhìn thấy không phải cánh buồm đỏ thắm mà là những cánh buồm bẩn thỉu, độc địa, nhìn từ xa thì có vẻ đẹp đẽ, trắng trẻo, đến gần thì rách nát, xấu xa… Mặc dù vậy, con hãy cứ nghĩ như bố: Rồi con sẽ có những cánh buồm đỏ thắm”.
Cốt truyện vừa chẳng có gì đặc sắc bản dịch lại còn chán ...