Novels, Tales, Journeys: The Complete Prose of Alexander Pushkin Hardcover – Deckle Edge, November 22, 2016

Avoiding duplicates in this new volume (“Novels, Tales, Journeys”) was probably very hard. Many of the same stories (The Blackamoor (Moor) of Peter the Great; The Tales of the Late Ivan Petrovich Belkin; Roslavlev; Dubrovsky; The Queen of Spades; Kirdzhali; etc.) were published in “The Collected Stories” by the same publisher (Everyman’s Library). The difference in many cases comes to the translation art/skill of either Pevear and Volokhonsky (new volume and also my preference of the translation) or Debreczeny (older volume). It’s a personal choice, but be aware that while both volumes (new and older) contain many duplicates, they don’t contain all the same stories. I think a question still persists whether we give translators enough credit for their artistic efforts.

I had never read Pushkin before reading this book, and I found it to be quite a compelling introduction. The book has some really rousing, romantic stories full of war, adventure, lust, and love. Like many of the great Russian writers that would come later, there is a lot going on in these stories--lots of interweaving characters and complex relationships. Some of the stories I had to read more than once just to grapple with them. I loved "Queen of Spades," "Dubrovsky", and "The Captain's Daughter." I feel like you could read these stories an infinite amount of times, and find something new each time. It's amazing how versatile Pushkin was. He could write poetry, ghost stories, romances, travelogues, historical epics, the man could truly do it all.

Pushkin is a master story teller. His prose is clear, his characters are defined and his narrative has a purpose. Some stories are better than others, but Pushkin deserves his reputation as the foundation for Russian literature. When I want to write clearly and tell a story, I read Pushkin for an hour before I write, and the clarity shines through.Yes, Pushkin was a lauded poet first. I do not judge poetry written in a different language. It loses too much of it's original rhythm.

Only problem with book print is to tiny to read need magnifying glass to read very tiny no way

What more is there to say? A great place to start when reading Russian literature. And the translators for this edition (Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky) are masters of the art.I have been quite surprised as I read some of these stories to recognize elements of them in other, more modern, works of writing and film. Very surprising. :)

How does one "evaluate" Shakespeare-- or Dante? Pushkin is the "founder" the giant of Russian Literature! I can only say that this translation is excellent...

The book looks great.

This basic collection comprises a handful of Pushkins forays into prose, including short stories and a short novel. It serves as a good introduction to one who is generally regarded as the central figure in Russian romanticism and that nations greatest poet.It is a representation that demonstrates his essential experimentalism, his continuous attempt to develop Russian literature. He hones his mastery of pattern, then abandons it; he delves into irony, then he pursues realism. His hallmark is a concise, economical presentation style. At times he has a penchant for happy endings, where everything comes full circle; at others his tales seem to fall flat or go nowhere. Sometimes they end abruptly and the effect is underwhelming, yet they are reasonable engaging. He is at his best when tackling romance or tragedy. “The Stationmaster” is to me easily the best and most memorable tale in the volume, followed by “the Captains Daughter”, which explores the notion of honour when faced with rapidly changing fortunes or social status. “Journey to Arzrum” is a mediocre travelogue that doesn’t really go anywhere.This is essentially a rich portrayal of Russian life in the early 1800’s, although it is hardly diverse. Pushkin’s push for perfection is mirrored by his clear focus on the rules and nuanced interactions of high society. His mind centers around honour, intellectualism and refined culture.Pushkin can certainly be regarded as the father of Russian literature, being the first to really craft and hone it. Ultimately I am left with my own personal impression however: his writing is pleasant and accessible; clever, yet somewhat light. The English translation may be a little shallow, but that aside, I don’t feel much depth or gravity. Pushkin seems to portray the outside rather than the inside, he is concerned with appearances. I sense no strong or underlying philosophies, no moral conflict, no quest for truth. Pushkin is an early developer of the art, although to my mind the greatest Russian writers come after him.

Best stories that i read in my childhood, now for my children

BOOK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, 1946 EDITION.

This is such a lovely introduction to the Russian classics as short stories of this calibre are always so unique, and ripe for instant gratification during the demands of the modern day (and evening). Don't start on War and Peace etc.; have a little fun.

A little disconnected, but some stories were very interesting

The book was fine in terms of binding and presentation.I'm coming at the book from the point of view of the description of coughing.In some translations of Alexander Pushkin and The Captain's Daughter or The Daughter of the Commandant,there are the words "cross little cough" or "cough of ill-humor".Here in this translation the words used are that Savelyich "only groaned now and then" and "he replied with a deep sigh".The noise of coughing can be oppressive or repressive or hostile or unfriendly and I would go for a translation which specifically mentions this.Something is lost in the omission.Perhaps it depends on one's point of view or vulnerability but omitted in a version the voyage of a life could be sent in shallow and misery.One has to battle with this contemptuous coughing sometimes.