Reviews

A Lear of the Steppes and Other Stories by Ivan Turgenev, Fiction, Classics, Literary, Short Stories by Ivan Turgenev

katerina273's review against another edition

anti-semitism was unneeded and bad, I suppose this was 1870. this story was wild, they made Cordelia/Regan into a cult leader. I guess it was King Lear transposed onto Russia, which was always going to lead to some crazy stuff. Lots to unpack. where was the Steppe??? My version was translated so weird why did it keep repeating the word 'literally'.

tatiemi13's review against another edition

relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

andakruetani's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm a masochist, I like getting my heart ripped out, I like this book. - And that's how I can give my review of this book in a nutshell.
 I'm a massive massive fan of Russian literature, unfortunately with this one I got spoiled via reading the book summary in the cover and the gut-wrenching feeling this book undoubtedly would grant me in the end (a encompassing element throughout most of my favorite books), was slightly tuned down. 
 Nonetheless, I enjoyed the built-up to that extremely sad end and the way that Turgeniev portrays his character's flaws, especially Martin Harlov, Ana and Evlampia, his daughters. 
 If y'all want an emotional, gut-wrenching read, go ahead and pick this up, but make sure not to read the synopsis, especially if you pick up a copy in Albanian.

aesopsdaddy's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting Russian reimagining of the King Lear story, but a little boring due to the predictability that brings.

bananagram210's review against another edition

dark reflective 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

3.0

dunderdorian's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

scaifea's review against another edition

1.0

A variation on Shakespeare's King Lear.
Hm, yes, best just to stick to the original, I'm afraid.

romanoirs's review against another edition

4.0

A very Russian take on King Lear... whenever I finish any Russian novel/novella/short story I’m somehow always left staring out of a window contemplating what it means to be alive and what it means to be human. But who has time for existential dread when the world is so beautiful and green and bright. It’s those two conflicting feelings after reading Russian literature that make me come back every time.

anastasiarozova's review against another edition

3.0

3.5/5

*Read for class.

I actually enjoyed it, seeing the parallels with Shakespeare's King Lear (duh, the title gives it away). But still, I was a little bit surprised by the ending and a bit sad. But I'm glad I've read it. I hope we get to discuss it in class, at least a little bit.

lnatal's review against another edition

2.0

You may read online here.

4* On the Eve
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3* Spring Torrents
2* A Lear of the Steppes
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