Reviews

The Complete Works of Isaac Babel by Isaac Babel, Nathalie Babel, Peter Constantine

rocketiza's review against another edition

2.0

As my first expose to Babel, a complete works was the wrong way to go. I do think if I had a read a curated collection of stories, I would have enjoyed this far more. However, this tome included a lot of stuff that I think was likely just writing exercises or works he would have chosen not to publish. Also, there was the huge cultural barrier.

wade's review against another edition

3.0

Babel's short stories are wonderful, especially the ones set in Odessa and Paris, very funny and often with bizarre metaphors. If this were just a collection of his short stories, I would give it five stars. However, this is a complete collection, and it was just too complete for me.

zachkuhn's review

5.0

"The rye stood tall, the sun was beautiful, and our souls, which did not deserve these shining, soaring skies, thirsted for lingering pain."

Yep.