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mollye1836's review
4.0
I adored the Red Cavalry Stories. At times the prose was breathtakingly ornamental, with a sudden violent turn of phrase that I became accustomed to as I adjusted to the violence of this world. Babel's stories, taking place during the brutal Soviet-Polish Wars, show us a world of sentimental beauty; religious and ethnic strife; powerful, lively Cossacks; dreamy Jewish people; and irreverent artists. Above all it is a painful, multidimensional world, full of lyricism (the Road to Brody is a personal favorite, with the talk of the republic of bees) and heartrending grief (the numerous massacres that take place). There is something especially raw and lovely about Babel's writing, knowing that he would be executed two decades after these stories were published.
jocelynw's review
1.0
I've read enough Russian literature to know that I don't get it, and even when I get it I don't seem to like it. And I always struggle with the constantly-starting-over aspect of short story collections.
Yeah, I don't know why I did this to myself again either.
On the upside, I read this while waiting for my sleep drugs to kick in at night, and I wasn't tempted to try to fight to stay awake to read more, so...win?
Yeah, I don't know why I did this to myself again either.
On the upside, I read this while waiting for my sleep drugs to kick in at night, and I wasn't tempted to try to fight to stay awake to read more, so...win?
justfoxie's review
4.0
This is actually my second reading of these stories - the first was in university - and I had forgotten how sparse Babel's style is and yet how vivid the imagery. Highly recommended for anyone interested in early 20th century Russian literature but not for the feint of heart or the squeamish.
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