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sarapalooza's review against another edition
4.0
Amusing and wry! Subtly subversive tales from the 20s.
sperdutaneilibri's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
schellenbergk's review against another edition
Light hearted fun , and how many Russians classics can you say that of?
joecam79's review against another edition
4.0
I must admit that I had never heard of Soviet writer Mikhail Zoshchenko (1894-1958) prior to coming across this book on NetGalley. I may be forgiven for this, given the dearth of translation of his works into English. It turns out that Zoshchenko’s short stories made him very popular with the public in the 1920s, but their peculiar brand of humour rendered their politics too ambiguous for the tastes of the regime. He weathered the frowns of the authorities for several years until he was expelled from the Soviet Writers’ Union in 1946 – a blow to his reputation and his health.
Mikhail Zoshchenko’s Sentimental Tales resorts to a technique which had been used by other Russian authors, including Gogol and Pushkin in works such as [b:Tales of Belkin|6697972|Tales of Belkin|Alexander Pushkin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320559853s/6697972.jpg|50747166] and "A History of the Village of Goryukhino”. In a meta-fictional approach which seems to foreshadow postmodern techniques, the stories are allegedly written by one Kolenkorov, a mediocre writer who strives, with limited success, to conform to the ideals of a “model Soviet artist”. As a result, the narration is deliberately clunky, replete with irrelevant details, overblown metaphors and inconsequential asides. This provides much of the humour, but it also serves as a cover for Zoshchenko. Melodramatic tales of tragic, unrequited love – which otherwise might have been considered too “sentimental” – are camouflaged by this comedic approach. More importantly, the farcical elements allow Zoshchenko to get away with biting social satire.
Such works need a sensitive translator to do them justice – hats off to Boris Dralyuk (who has already shown his mettle in other challenging translations for Penguin, Maclehouse Press and Pushkin Press amongst others). He manages to transpose the particular wit of Zoshchenko into English, making it accessible to us despite the differences in language and culture.
Mikhail Zoshchenko’s Sentimental Tales resorts to a technique which had been used by other Russian authors, including Gogol and Pushkin in works such as [b:Tales of Belkin|6697972|Tales of Belkin|Alexander Pushkin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320559853s/6697972.jpg|50747166] and "A History of the Village of Goryukhino”. In a meta-fictional approach which seems to foreshadow postmodern techniques, the stories are allegedly written by one Kolenkorov, a mediocre writer who strives, with limited success, to conform to the ideals of a “model Soviet artist”. As a result, the narration is deliberately clunky, replete with irrelevant details, overblown metaphors and inconsequential asides. This provides much of the humour, but it also serves as a cover for Zoshchenko. Melodramatic tales of tragic, unrequited love – which otherwise might have been considered too “sentimental” – are camouflaged by this comedic approach. More importantly, the farcical elements allow Zoshchenko to get away with biting social satire.
Such works need a sensitive translator to do them justice – hats off to Boris Dralyuk (who has already shown his mettle in other challenging translations for Penguin, Maclehouse Press and Pushkin Press amongst others). He manages to transpose the particular wit of Zoshchenko into English, making it accessible to us despite the differences in language and culture.
wmhenrymorris's review against another edition
I find it challenging to describe this book of tales because they are hilarious and tragic but also kind of lightweight, and I'm not sure if that lightness is a reflection of historical distance or translation or something inherent. Even odder is the fact that each story begins with a long preamble where the author of the tale (who is not Zoshchenko, but maybe kind of is in some of the attitudes/observations he sneaks in?) holds forth on his deficiencies as a writer or discusses how social conditions have change literature or goes at critics, etc. It's all a bit arch, but also quite funny, and--to be honest--both depressing and refreshing if you are someone who has literary ambitions (low, middle, or high on the brow spectrum).
fearandtrembling's review against another edition
4.0
Dark, bitter Russian humour, as thick and bracing as black coffee, is totally my jam. The Russians seem like the literary precursors of most things and such is the case with this collection of six tales: very postmodernist, but originally published in 1929. Through the metafictional device of an author who asserts his own opinions in every story, the actual author Zoshchenko satirises & probes the contradictions of early Bolshevik society. A delight.
abookishtype's review against another edition
3.0
I am a staunch advocate of New Historicism. This school of thought argues that, in order to understand a text, one has to understand its social, historical, and cultural contexts. I don’t think this has ever been more true than when I read Sentimental Tales, a short story collection by Mikhail Zoshchenko and translated by Boris Dralyuk. This strange and blackly funny collection is written from the perspective of a frustrated writer who doesn’t know how to tell a story that will please himself, his potential readers, and the Soviet Writers’ Union...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
amalia1985's review against another edition
5.0
‘’What do you think, Auntie, does man have a soul?’’
Mikhail Zoshchenko is considered one of the greatest Russian satirists, a genre that flourished in the country, especially during the Soviet era. The six stories of the collection are set during the first decade of the Bolshevik era but have very little to do with politics or the Revolution. Instead, characters tangible and familiar, with hopes, fears and regrets we all face, are the heart of each story. Zoshchenko uses the technique of the detached narrator-author, called Kolenkorov, who is our guide to the adventures and sentimental misfortunes and a slightly nostalgic lover of old Russia.
‘’What - is there a shortage of good facts in our lives?’’
The most beautiful tales are always the ones which narrate the hope of approval, love and understanding. This collection is no exception to this rule. The characters are primarily artists. Musicians, authors, poets, ballerinas mingle with members of the former upper-class that represent a world which has lost every privilege once taken for granted. The political and social upheaval is referred to in a subtle, cleverly satirical manner. Obviously, it is there, influencing the choices of the characters, shaping wealth and poverty (more often) and prospects but if we come to think about it, in the end, it makes little difference to the women and men of the stories. For these are primarily tales of emotion and sentimental behaviour and these aren’t easily influenced by any political or social status quo. In addition, the author often draws an amusing, satirical comparison between Western and Russian Literature without any trace of malice or cynicism but with many valid observations.
My favourite story in the collection is called Apollo and Tamara. A talented pianist leaves to join the fight during the First World War. He returns only to find that the life he knew exists no more. This is a sad tale. Sad and unfair but beautiful.
Needless to say, this collection is highly recommended to every lover of Russian Literature.
‘’And in that case, he might as well jump under a tram.’’
Many thanks to Columbia University Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com
Mikhail Zoshchenko is considered one of the greatest Russian satirists, a genre that flourished in the country, especially during the Soviet era. The six stories of the collection are set during the first decade of the Bolshevik era but have very little to do with politics or the Revolution. Instead, characters tangible and familiar, with hopes, fears and regrets we all face, are the heart of each story. Zoshchenko uses the technique of the detached narrator-author, called Kolenkorov, who is our guide to the adventures and sentimental misfortunes and a slightly nostalgic lover of old Russia.
‘’What - is there a shortage of good facts in our lives?’’
The most beautiful tales are always the ones which narrate the hope of approval, love and understanding. This collection is no exception to this rule. The characters are primarily artists. Musicians, authors, poets, ballerinas mingle with members of the former upper-class that represent a world which has lost every privilege once taken for granted. The political and social upheaval is referred to in a subtle, cleverly satirical manner. Obviously, it is there, influencing the choices of the characters, shaping wealth and poverty (more often) and prospects but if we come to think about it, in the end, it makes little difference to the women and men of the stories. For these are primarily tales of emotion and sentimental behaviour and these aren’t easily influenced by any political or social status quo. In addition, the author often draws an amusing, satirical comparison between Western and Russian Literature without any trace of malice or cynicism but with many valid observations.
My favourite story in the collection is called Apollo and Tamara. A talented pianist leaves to join the fight during the First World War. He returns only to find that the life he knew exists no more. This is a sad tale. Sad and unfair but beautiful.
Needless to say, this collection is highly recommended to every lover of Russian Literature.
‘’And in that case, he might as well jump under a tram.’’
Many thanks to Columbia University Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com
iuliagabriela's review against another edition
3.0
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you (25/40)
I received a copy of Sentimental Tales from NetGalley and Columbia University Press in exchange for an honest review.
As its summary states, Sentimental Tales in composed of six stories that convey portraits of small-town characters living Russia during the first decade of the Bolshevik era. All of the stories are delightful in their own way, and a little bittersweet. The author casts a subtle satirical filter on the reality of the era, looking at the life of those that a just a bit different from the rest: dreamers, wanderers, outsiders, in the context of major societal change that shifted the people's understanding of class and social status. Being someone who is wary of Russian literature as it is usually so very bleak I rejoiced in the lightheartedness of this book while still being impressed by its underlying substance. My favorite element of the stories, however, is the narrator; he provides humorous commentary with a delightful touch of self-awareness. This book is both very entertaining and educational, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone, especially if they are fond of satire.
I received a copy of Sentimental Tales from NetGalley and Columbia University Press in exchange for an honest review.
As its summary states, Sentimental Tales in composed of six stories that convey portraits of small-town characters living Russia during the first decade of the Bolshevik era. All of the stories are delightful in their own way, and a little bittersweet. The author casts a subtle satirical filter on the reality of the era, looking at the life of those that a just a bit different from the rest: dreamers, wanderers, outsiders, in the context of major societal change that shifted the people's understanding of class and social status. Being someone who is wary of Russian literature as it is usually so very bleak I rejoiced in the lightheartedness of this book while still being impressed by its underlying substance. My favorite element of the stories, however, is the narrator; he provides humorous commentary with a delightful touch of self-awareness. This book is both very entertaining and educational, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone, especially if they are fond of satire.
joecam79's review against another edition
4.0
I must admit that I had never heard of Soviet writer Mikhail Zoshchenko (1894-1958) prior to coming across this book on NetGalley. I may be forgiven for this, given the dearth of translation of his works into English. It turns out that Zoshchenko’s short stories made him very popular with the public in the 1920s, but their peculiar brand of humour rendered their politics too ambiguous for the tastes of the regime. He weathered the frowns of the authorities for several years until he was expelled from the Soviet Writers’ Union in 1946 – a blow to his reputation and his health.
Mikhail Zoshchenko’s Sentimental Tales resorts to a technique which had been used by other Russian authors, including Gogol and Pushkin in works such as [b:Tales of Belkin|6697972|Tales of Belkin|Alexander Pushkin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320559853s/6697972.jpg|50747166] and "A History of the Village of Goryukhino”. In a meta-fictional approach which seems to foreshadow postmodern techniques, the stories are allegedly written by one Kolenkorov, a mediocre writer who strives, with limited success, to conform to the ideals of a “model Soviet artist”. As a result, the narration is deliberately clunky, replete with irrelevant details, overblown metaphors and inconsequential asides. This provides much of the humour, but it also serves as a cover for Zoshchenko. Melodramatic tales of tragic, unrequited love – which otherwise might have been considered too “sentimental” – are camouflaged by this comedic approach. More importantly, the farcical elements allow Zoshchenko to get away with biting social satire.
Such works need a sensitive translator to do them justice – hats off to Boris Dralyuk (who has already shown his mettle in other challenging translations for Penguin, Maclehouse Press and Pushkin Press amongst others). He manages to transpose the particular wit of Zoshchenko into English, making it accessible to us despite the differences in language and culture.
Mikhail Zoshchenko’s Sentimental Tales resorts to a technique which had been used by other Russian authors, including Gogol and Pushkin in works such as [b:Tales of Belkin|6697972|Tales of Belkin|Alexander Pushkin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320559853s/6697972.jpg|50747166] and "A History of the Village of Goryukhino”. In a meta-fictional approach which seems to foreshadow postmodern techniques, the stories are allegedly written by one Kolenkorov, a mediocre writer who strives, with limited success, to conform to the ideals of a “model Soviet artist”. As a result, the narration is deliberately clunky, replete with irrelevant details, overblown metaphors and inconsequential asides. This provides much of the humour, but it also serves as a cover for Zoshchenko. Melodramatic tales of tragic, unrequited love – which otherwise might have been considered too “sentimental” – are camouflaged by this comedic approach. More importantly, the farcical elements allow Zoshchenko to get away with biting social satire.
Such works need a sensitive translator to do them justice – hats off to Boris Dralyuk (who has already shown his mettle in other challenging translations for Penguin, Maclehouse Press and Pushkin Press amongst others). He manages to transpose the particular wit of Zoshchenko into English, making it accessible to us despite the differences in language and culture.
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