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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
The characters are good, but I don't know that I liked it all that much.
Young people being arrogant, old people being stubborn! But actually this was a really kind of fun look into generational gaps and how honestly no one has any idea what’s actually going on, especially rich people. For most of the novel the pacing was great but I will say the ending was kind of abrupt, would’ve been even more so if I hadn’t read the spoiler on the back of my copy.
fast-paced
One of my favorite novels from my Russian Literature class. Beautifully written, with compelling characters and conflicts, even if I can't stand some of them.
"....the flowers that blossom there peep at us tranquilly with innocent eyes: they speak to us no only of all-embracing peace, of the vast repose of indifferent nature; they tell us also of everlasting reconciliation and life without end..."
I accidentally stumbled upon how the story ends while doing some random research when I had only four chapters left to read. Sigh, and sigh for the ending as well, which I didn't expect until this random revelation.
p175 Surrounded by freshness and shade, she used to take her work there and read or give herself up to that feeling of complete tranquillity which is probably familiar to everyone and whose charm consists in a scarcely conscious, silent attentiveness to the broad wave of life which ceaselessly rolls both around us and within us.
p201 Can their prayers and their tears be fruitless? Can love, sacred, devoted love, not be all-powerful? Oh, no! No matter how passionate, sinning, rebellious is the heart hidden in the grave, the flowers growing on it look at us serenely with their innocent faces; they speak to us not only of that eternal peace, of that great peace of ‘impassive’ nature; they speak to us also of eternal reconciliation and of life everlasting.
p175 Surrounded by freshness and shade, she used to take her work there and read or give herself up to that feeling of complete tranquillity which is probably familiar to everyone and whose charm consists in a scarcely conscious, silent attentiveness to the broad wave of life which ceaselessly rolls both around us and within us.
p201 Can their prayers and their tears be fruitless? Can love, sacred, devoted love, not be all-powerful? Oh, no! No matter how passionate, sinning, rebellious is the heart hidden in the grave, the flowers growing on it look at us serenely with their innocent faces; they speak to us not only of that eternal peace, of that great peace of ‘impassive’ nature; they speak to us also of eternal reconciliation and of life everlasting.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This oldie about generational disconnect is still so good and relevant today. So much 19th century Russian literature still slaps.
Ah I feel refreshed! I read a Russian novel (specifically 1800's Russian novels) every winter but I got this one early. Not sure if it was a timing issue where it just wasn't cold, cozy, book reading kinda weather at first or just because I've been so busy with work and class but I couldn't get into it right away. But about halfway through I got caught up into it and really enjoyed it.
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes