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vitsa's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the book.
Kuprin's writing flows well and is really enjoyable.
The subject matter is also very interesting and I liked the way Kuprin explored the world of prostitution by giving it a face, or rather a few faces.
The characters were engaging and each of them was interesting in their own way.
Kuprin's writing flows well and is really enjoyable.
The subject matter is also very interesting and I liked the way Kuprin explored the world of prostitution by giving it a face, or rather a few faces.
The characters were engaging and each of them was interesting in their own way.
kiriamarin's review against another edition
Estou lendo mais e mais Kuprin, seu estilo realista,amargo da sociedade russa me atrai, mesmo que um pouco monótono. Tive paciência e assim como em "The Duel" fui sentir o peso desta estória nas últimas páginas.
A estória: a vida miserável e decadente de mulheres nos cafundos da Rússia, "trabalhando " num prostibulo. Afora destas ele detalha minuciosamente a corrupção moral dos habitantes da cidade,frequentadores do local e os esquemas de tráfico sexual entre cidades europeias, que perduram até hoje.É tão angustiante essa existência de ser tratada como um objeto ou pior que isto...
A estória: a vida miserável e decadente de mulheres nos cafundos da Rússia, "trabalhando " num prostibulo. Afora destas ele detalha minuciosamente a corrupção moral dos habitantes da cidade,frequentadores do local e os esquemas de tráfico sexual entre cidades europeias, que perduram até hoje.É tão angustiante essa existência de ser tratada como um objeto ou pior que isto...
paulataua's review against another edition
3.0
Set in a brothel, it is about the lives of the women who work there and their clients, at first, during one day and night, and then during the following next months. Zuprin sets about describing the humanity found in the goings on. There are some real positives in the book, including his detailed descriptions of people, but I am not convinced by the writing, or perhaps by the translation. The whole thing lacks the passion that one finds in something like Zola’s ‘Nana’ .
ellenevich's review against another edition
4.0
Welcome to the Pit (Yama)!
Kuprin opens a door to the brothel, leads reader by the hand, offers to take a seat right in the hall center and tells with his simple fluent prose about the side of humanity, which always remains in shadows.
Many sidestep this pit and pretend with their eyes closed that this world does not exist at all. Some descend there for few hours to feed the beast, indifferently forget about it by dawn and return to their righteous days until the next hunger seizure. There are also those who make money by actively digging the pit wider and deeper.
This is the world where everything is permitted, where woman’s body can be bought for less money than a bottle of alcohol. All heroines are gears in the enormous machine of desire and few take them for a Person. Once you get to know each girl closer, you obviously see this is not so. Liubka, Jennka, Tamara are bright and lively, their characters have different, clear outlines, each literally breathes on the pages. There is a feeling at the end of the book that these women seem to unite into one substantial female image. You see yourself in each reflection, which means you easily can understand, empathize and know that you were simply born and lived all this time under some lucky star. The will of chance can befall anyone.
Story itself is simple, unembellished. Denouement is predictable, but is the only true possible way. Little things make their way under the skin and give a special tone to this work. Descriptions, situations and dialogs, which may seem secondary at first glance, are similar in their emotional strength to tragic ending.
The Pit is a conversation about important issue. This is a look into the keyhole of society’s secret room. It exists in interior plans, but in reality is shielded with chameleon veil, since it is more comfortable to be silent and easier to not think. Century has passed, the conversation is somewhat liberated and may be heard by many, which is crucial as to really hear with mind and heart means urge to action.
Meanwhile, I, like Kuprin, sincerely devote all my words to youths and mothers!
Kuprin opens a door to the brothel, leads reader by the hand, offers to take a seat right in the hall center and tells with his simple fluent prose about the side of humanity, which always remains in shadows.
Many sidestep this pit and pretend with their eyes closed that this world does not exist at all. Some descend there for few hours to feed the beast, indifferently forget about it by dawn and return to their righteous days until the next hunger seizure. There are also those who make money by actively digging the pit wider and deeper.
This is the world where everything is permitted, where woman’s body can be bought for less money than a bottle of alcohol. All heroines are gears in the enormous machine of desire and few take them for a Person. Once you get to know each girl closer, you obviously see this is not so. Liubka, Jennka, Tamara are bright and lively, their characters have different, clear outlines, each literally breathes on the pages. There is a feeling at the end of the book that these women seem to unite into one substantial female image. You see yourself in each reflection, which means you easily can understand, empathize and know that you were simply born and lived all this time under some lucky star. The will of chance can befall anyone.
Story itself is simple, unembellished. Denouement is predictable, but is the only true possible way. Little things make their way under the skin and give a special tone to this work. Descriptions, situations and dialogs, which may seem secondary at first glance, are similar in their emotional strength to tragic ending.
The Pit is a conversation about important issue. This is a look into the keyhole of society’s secret room. It exists in interior plans, but in reality is shielded with chameleon veil, since it is more comfortable to be silent and easier to not think. Century has passed, the conversation is somewhat liberated and may be heard by many, which is crucial as to really hear with mind and heart means urge to action.
Meanwhile, I, like Kuprin, sincerely devote all my words to youths and mothers!
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