A review by penguinna
Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin

emotional lighthearted sad medium-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

5.0

It's been years since I read poetry, as I always believed it wasn't my genre. However, overwhelmed with university exams, work, and other responsibilities, I lacked the energy to continue with my current reads. So, I picked up this book, and it turned out to be the best decision!

Tired of the glamorous life in Saint Petersburg, the aristocratic dandy Eugene Onegin moves to the country estate. He begins a friendship with the idealistic poet Vladimir Lensky, who introduces him to his fiancée Olga and her sister Tatiana. Tatiana falls deeply in love with Eugene, but his cold rejection leads to a tragic turn of events.

Although I had read this book in school and knew the plot, I had forgotten the details. Nonetheless, delving into Pushkin's light and beautiful prose was an absolute delight. I was lucky to read the original version of this book and to savor every word written by the poet. It was especially wonderful to realize that some everyday idioms originated from this very book!

I switched to the audiobook very soon because the narrator was so emotional and expressive that I even shed some tears while listening. This is the story about first love, a broken heart, social conventions, regrets, duels, balls, and unhappy fates. Pushkin's writing is pure art. I could hardly imagine that this book could evoke such a deep resonance within me, making me feel everything he describes deep inside my heart.