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dina_b's review against another edition
4.0
"Se conseguires descer até ao coração do mais detestado dos teus inimigos, tu próprio ali te encontrarás." Arthur Shopenhauer
Confesso ter um fraquinho por autores de entre as guerras, sendo Irène Némirovsky um desses autores. Temos 2 personagens principais diferentes mas também parecidas, de um lado um revolucionário bolchevista e do outro um tirano da Rússia imperial, cada um acha que têm a verdade e justiça do seu lado, cada um mata pelos seus ideais, mas a Iréne cria uma relação entre os dois em que não consegui gostar nem detestar nenhum deles, mas compreendi as motivações de ambos, homens de um mundo turbulento e em mudança.
Achei uma história interessante e envolvente, daquelas que eu gosto.
Confesso ter um fraquinho por autores de entre as guerras, sendo Irène Némirovsky um desses autores. Temos 2 personagens principais diferentes mas também parecidas, de um lado um revolucionário bolchevista e do outro um tirano da Rússia imperial, cada um acha que têm a verdade e justiça do seu lado, cada um mata pelos seus ideais, mas a Iréne cria uma relação entre os dois em que não consegui gostar nem detestar nenhum deles, mas compreendi as motivações de ambos, homens de um mundo turbulento e em mudança.
Achei uma história interessante e envolvente, daquelas que eu gosto.
saraaa00's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nunuseli's review
2.0
Yo ya comprendo que no todas las obras de Irène Némirovsky pueden ser tan perfectas como 'Suite francesa', pero es que en mi opinión 'El baile', aunque de una forma totalmente distinta, sí que es tan perfecta como 'Suite francesa', y 'David Golder' y 'El ardor de la sangre' son dos novelitas notables e intensísimas, pero es que 'El caso Kurilov' me ha parecido de una sosería insoportable. Es como si Némirovsky la hubiera escrito con el piloto automático, poniendo buena parte de su buen oficio pero sin ni una pizca de pasión, esperando terminarla y embolsarse el dinerito para pagar unos cuantos meses más de alquiler. Por supuesto que no hay nada de malo en intentar ganarse la vida como una buenamente pueda, pero podrían avisar. Pues no, no avisan. Todas las críticas que he podido leer alaban este librito y lo que más destacan es lo interesante que es el retrato de la Russia pre-comunista que hace, cuando por vaga que sea la noción que el lector tenga de los terroristas revolucionarios y las intrigas en la corte del zar los hechos que relata este librito no le depararán ni la más mínima sorpresa.
'El caso Kurilov' está bien escrito, no digo que no, el problema es que aunque está narrado en primera persona se nota muchísimo que es un libro "en tercera persona", sobre hechos con los que la autora en realidad no siente ninguna implicación personal. Quizás es que tengo demasiado fresco el buen recuerdo que me dejó la lectura de 'El caballo amarillo. Diario de un terrorista ruso' de Boris Savinkov, novela autobiográfica y que tiene toda la intensidad, el spleen y la desesperanza que no tiene 'El caso Kurilov'. El caso es que en la novela de Némirovsky la trama es previsible (a un revolucionario le encargan asesinar a un ministro del zar y por eso se introducirá en su casa como médico) y los personajes son tan arquetípicos y tan planos que es imposible llegarse a interesar lo más mínimo por ellos. La descripción psicológica que realmente es el punto fuerte de Némirovsky como escritora, brilla por su ausencia en esta ocasión. Es todo realmente muy soso. Es una de aquellas novelas que se leen rápido pero que cuando se terminan una se da cuenta que nunca han llegado ni a rozarle la epidermis.
'El caso Kurilov' está bien escrito, no digo que no, el problema es que aunque está narrado en primera persona se nota muchísimo que es un libro "en tercera persona", sobre hechos con los que la autora en realidad no siente ninguna implicación personal. Quizás es que tengo demasiado fresco el buen recuerdo que me dejó la lectura de 'El caballo amarillo. Diario de un terrorista ruso' de Boris Savinkov, novela autobiográfica y que tiene toda la intensidad, el spleen y la desesperanza que no tiene 'El caso Kurilov'. El caso es que en la novela de Némirovsky la trama es previsible (a un revolucionario le encargan asesinar a un ministro del zar y por eso se introducirá en su casa como médico) y los personajes son tan arquetípicos y tan planos que es imposible llegarse a interesar lo más mínimo por ellos. La descripción psicológica que realmente es el punto fuerte de Némirovsky como escritora, brilla por su ausencia en esta ocasión. Es todo realmente muy soso. Es una de aquellas novelas que se leen rápido pero que cuando se terminan una se da cuenta que nunca han llegado ni a rozarle la epidermis.
wlarianna's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
thedearest's review against another edition
3.0
An example of good writing with depth and character development in a story where plot isn't that strong. I like it fine, but in so many ways this was a boring book with interesting elements.
isacheru's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kjulie's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure if it's the writing, or simply the translation that causes this novel to feel lacking. Written as a memoir, the plot unfolds as is expected and dictated at the onset. A short little book with a big theme... what is justice. Set in pre-revolution Russia, it is the memoir of an assassin, sent to kill the Minister of Education. With bloodshed on both sides, it's difficult to see who is right, and who is wrong... just like in real life. It's a sobering story, but not something to relish and reread.
epsilon's review against another edition
5.0
El caso Kurílov es una novela tipo testimonio en la que a través de una manuscrito hallado en las pertenencias de un ex terrorista, se narra los acontecimientos que sucedieron casi 30 años atrás.
"La vida es odiosa... absurda...Es tan fácil matar a gente quien ni siquiera conoces, a hombres como los que pasaron por mis manos durante aquellas noches de 1919 y más tarde... E incluso a ellos..."
Por aquella época (1903) Rusia vivía una época de mucha tensión social debido a la mala administración por parte del régimen zarista liderado por el último Zar de Rusia Nicolás II. Es preciso indicar que en 1905 se llevó a cabo la revolución rusa, denominada domingo sangriento, pero la historia del libro no llega hasta allí; no obstante, deja ver claramente la insensibilidad de las autoridades frente al sufrimiento del pueblo y los planes políticos del partido opositor: el Comité de la Revolución, que con su facción terrorista tenía como objetivo asesinar a los más altos funcionarios.
"Coloca a sus conocidos, primos y hermanos en todas partes, y todos roban"
Leon M, el bolchevique, el terrorista autor del manuscrito a manera de diario, contará todo lo que sucedió luego de su designación por el Partido Revolucionario (posterior a 1917: Partido Comunista) como el verdugo del Ministro de Instrucción Pública, llamado Valerian Alexandrovich Kirílov, conocido como el Cachalote, por su crueldad, ambición y avidez de honores. Para ello, tendrá una identidad falsa: Marcel Legrand, Doctor en Medicina.
"El poder es un veneno delicioso" (Kirilov)
El terrorista se infiltra en el círculo más cercano del Ministro y ambos pasan sus días.
Como una serpiente que puede quedarse mucho tiempo esperando el momento preciso para atacar a su presa sin que esta la note, así esperaba León la oportunidad para cumplir con el Partido. Pero en ese periodo sucederán muchas cosas que le harán ver la realidad con otros ojos y entrar en una encrucijada moral.
"El cazador no soporta tener que matar a un animal al que alimentó y cuidó..." (León)
Una novela muy interesante en la que la autora francesa de origen ruso nos muestra a las personas desprovistas de la pompa del cargo que ostentan o de la capa maligna que un partido del terror pueda reflejar. Lo que la novela nos retrata es al ser humano mismo, con sus defectos, vicios, miserias, ilusiones, esperanzas, odios y nostalgias. Una gran obra sobre la psicología humana.
"... y entonces veía por primera vez a unos seres humanos, a unos infelices, con sus ambiciones, defectos y estupideces...Pero no dispongo de tiempo para pensar en eso. Solo quiero recordar un viejo episodio"
Otros personajes: El príncipe Nelrode, un anciano aristocrático, que personifica toda el pensamiento del imperio ruso zarista que colisiona con las necesidades del pueblo.
Marguerite Eduardovna, esposa de Kirílov con un pasado muy controvertido.
Barón Dahl, oportunista y conspirador que ambiciona un alto cargo.
Fanny Zart, camarada de León y coordinadora de la Revolución.
"La vida es odiosa... absurda...Es tan fácil matar a gente quien ni siquiera conoces, a hombres como los que pasaron por mis manos durante aquellas noches de 1919 y más tarde... E incluso a ellos..."
Por aquella época (1903) Rusia vivía una época de mucha tensión social debido a la mala administración por parte del régimen zarista liderado por el último Zar de Rusia Nicolás II. Es preciso indicar que en 1905 se llevó a cabo la revolución rusa, denominada domingo sangriento, pero la historia del libro no llega hasta allí; no obstante, deja ver claramente la insensibilidad de las autoridades frente al sufrimiento del pueblo y los planes políticos del partido opositor: el Comité de la Revolución, que con su facción terrorista tenía como objetivo asesinar a los más altos funcionarios.
"Coloca a sus conocidos, primos y hermanos en todas partes, y todos roban"
Leon M, el bolchevique, el terrorista autor del manuscrito a manera de diario, contará todo lo que sucedió luego de su designación por el Partido Revolucionario (posterior a 1917: Partido Comunista) como el verdugo del Ministro de Instrucción Pública, llamado Valerian Alexandrovich Kirílov, conocido como el Cachalote, por su crueldad, ambición y avidez de honores. Para ello, tendrá una identidad falsa: Marcel Legrand, Doctor en Medicina.
"El poder es un veneno delicioso" (Kirilov)
El terrorista se infiltra en el círculo más cercano del Ministro y ambos pasan sus días.
Como una serpiente que puede quedarse mucho tiempo esperando el momento preciso para atacar a su presa sin que esta la note, así esperaba León la oportunidad para cumplir con el Partido. Pero en ese periodo sucederán muchas cosas que le harán ver la realidad con otros ojos y entrar en una encrucijada moral.
"El cazador no soporta tener que matar a un animal al que alimentó y cuidó..." (León)
Una novela muy interesante en la que la autora francesa de origen ruso nos muestra a las personas desprovistas de la pompa del cargo que ostentan o de la capa maligna que un partido del terror pueda reflejar. Lo que la novela nos retrata es al ser humano mismo, con sus defectos, vicios, miserias, ilusiones, esperanzas, odios y nostalgias. Una gran obra sobre la psicología humana.
"... y entonces veía por primera vez a unos seres humanos, a unos infelices, con sus ambiciones, defectos y estupideces...Pero no dispongo de tiempo para pensar en eso. Solo quiero recordar un viejo episodio"
Otros personajes: El príncipe Nelrode, un anciano aristocrático, que personifica toda el pensamiento del imperio ruso zarista que colisiona con las necesidades del pueblo.
Marguerite Eduardovna, esposa de Kirílov con un pasado muy controvertido.
Barón Dahl, oportunista y conspirador que ambiciona un alto cargo.
Fanny Zart, camarada de León y coordinadora de la Revolución.
balancinghistorybooks's review
4.0
I absolutely love Nemirovsky’s work, and will happily read any of her novels or novellas. In fact, I will happily read anything which she turned her talented hand to. Throughout The Courilof Affair, her writing is beautiful and its flow is marvellous, even in translation. Sandra Smith, who was responsible for rendering the novel into English, has done a wonderful job.
The premise of The Courilof Affair would have attracted me even if I had not read any of Nemirovsky’s other work. It begins in 1903, and deals with the son of Russian revolutionaries, who is given the responsibility of ‘liquidating Valerian Alexandrovitch Courilof, the notoriously brutal and cold-blooded Russian Minister of Education… Insinuating himself into Courilof’s household by becoming his physician, Leon M takes up residence at Courilof’s summer house in the Iles and awaits instructions. But over the course of his story he is made privy to the inner world of the man he must kill – his failing health, his troubled domestic situation and, most importantly, the tyrannical grip that the Czar himself holds over all his ministers, forcing them to obey him or suffer the most deadly punishments’.
The Courilof Affair is protagonist Leon M’s autobiography of sorts, and it is told in retrospect from his own perspective. His narrative voice flows well, and feels ultimately believable. Nemirovsky gets across the fact that he is an anguished soul from the very beginning. One of Nemirovsky’s strongest skills, as far as I am concerned, is the way in which she captures scenes and characters. With one sweep of her pen, she creates the most vivid of images, and builds up beautiful and striking views before the very eyes.
The Courilof Affair is a novel about terrorism and its effects. It has been based upon real-life events which have been fictionalised. It is certainly well imagined in this respect, and has a definite ghostly echo of the awful, repressive situations which occurred in Russia both at the time in which the novel was written, and earlier. As Nemirovsky does so marvellously in all of her books, she challenges perceptions throughout. Her use of dual identity works well, and the book is rendered in an eminently human manner. The story is a wise one, and it is entirely relevant to the world in which we live.
The premise of The Courilof Affair would have attracted me even if I had not read any of Nemirovsky’s other work. It begins in 1903, and deals with the son of Russian revolutionaries, who is given the responsibility of ‘liquidating Valerian Alexandrovitch Courilof, the notoriously brutal and cold-blooded Russian Minister of Education… Insinuating himself into Courilof’s household by becoming his physician, Leon M takes up residence at Courilof’s summer house in the Iles and awaits instructions. But over the course of his story he is made privy to the inner world of the man he must kill – his failing health, his troubled domestic situation and, most importantly, the tyrannical grip that the Czar himself holds over all his ministers, forcing them to obey him or suffer the most deadly punishments’.
The Courilof Affair is protagonist Leon M’s autobiography of sorts, and it is told in retrospect from his own perspective. His narrative voice flows well, and feels ultimately believable. Nemirovsky gets across the fact that he is an anguished soul from the very beginning. One of Nemirovsky’s strongest skills, as far as I am concerned, is the way in which she captures scenes and characters. With one sweep of her pen, she creates the most vivid of images, and builds up beautiful and striking views before the very eyes.
The Courilof Affair is a novel about terrorism and its effects. It has been based upon real-life events which have been fictionalised. It is certainly well imagined in this respect, and has a definite ghostly echo of the awful, repressive situations which occurred in Russia both at the time in which the novel was written, and earlier. As Nemirovsky does so marvellously in all of her books, she challenges perceptions throughout. Her use of dual identity works well, and the book is rendered in an eminently human manner. The story is a wise one, and it is entirely relevant to the world in which we live.
jersy's review against another edition
1.0
This book is such a wasted opportunity. The blurb made me think it's a deep look into the relationship of what would eventually be killer and victim, but it's not. The protagonist is more of a observer than part of any story, which could be interesting but just isn't here because his observations are not often of that much value.
The book is kind of about Kurilows political life, kind of about his marriage, kind of about Leon being a "revolutionary", but it's not enough about any of these things and deals too superficially with these aspects.
The assassination plot seems only to be there so there is a plot, but Leon doesn't really plan, there is not much of a motivation in him. The politics were just not done in a way that was interesting to me, even though were was potential, just not enough page time. And the marriage could have made for an interesting little book, but all the narrator ever seemed to comment on it amounted to "she's ugly, but at least they care for each other".
The book handled all of its ideas so boringly, but the worst (and the reason I'm rating it only 1 star) is: It seems like the author could have made this a book with an impact but she chose not to. Really, there were some sentences that made her look so skilled and able to make this an intense character study (also, the potential of the premise!), but she didn't seem interested in this story?
It's such a short book but instead of using page time for developing characters and relationships properly (which I got the impression she was able to) there was filler in the form of a frame story in the future and some chapters of random stuff Leon did before being sent to Kurilow. Why is there filler in a ≈190p book?
The book just felt too shallow and it reminds me why I once thought short books are not worth reading Like, if the author didn't even know what to write about that, why should I read it? - Of course this thinking is bullshit but it's what I thought back than and it must have been because of books like this.
The book is kind of about Kurilows political life, kind of about his marriage, kind of about Leon being a "revolutionary", but it's not enough about any of these things and deals too superficially with these aspects.
The assassination plot seems only to be there so there is a plot, but Leon doesn't really plan, there is not much of a motivation in him. The politics were just not done in a way that was interesting to me, even though were was potential, just not enough page time. And the marriage could have made for an interesting little book, but all the narrator ever seemed to comment on it amounted to "she's ugly, but at least they care for each other".
The book handled all of its ideas so boringly, but the worst (and the reason I'm rating it only 1 star) is: It seems like the author could have made this a book with an impact but she chose not to. Really, there were some sentences that made her look so skilled and able to make this an intense character study (also, the potential of the premise!), but she didn't seem interested in this story?
It's such a short book but instead of using page time for developing characters and relationships properly (which I got the impression she was able to) there was filler in the form of a frame story in the future and some chapters of random stuff Leon did before being sent to Kurilow. Why is there filler in a ≈190p book?
The book just felt too shallow and it reminds me why I once thought short books are not worth reading Like, if the author didn't even know what to write about that, why should I read it? - Of course this thinking is bullshit but it's what I thought back than and it must have been because of books like this.