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A review by iuliagabriela
Sentimental Tales by Mikhail Zoščenko
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.