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Mikhail Lermontov

Author of A Hero of Our Time

191+ Works 4,376 Members 73 Reviews 19 Favorited

About the Author

One of Russia's greatest nineteenth-century poets, Lermontov was at first an officer in an elite Guards regiment. Because of the views he expressed in a poem written on the death of Pushkin in 1837, he was arrested, tried, and transferred to the Caucasus. The poem, a passionate condemnation of the show more St. Petersburg elite for inciting Pushkin's ill-fated confrontation with D'Anthes, brought Lermontov instant fame. He returned to the capital a year later and began to publish regularly; two volumes of poems and the novel A Hero of Our Time appeared in 1840. Next year, as punishment for a duel, he was sent again to a line regiment in the Caucasus, where he distinguished himself in battle. In July 1841 he was killed in his last duel, the consequence of his own quarrelsome conduct. Lermontov was strongly influenced by Byron and Schiller, writing striking confessional poems that presented him in typically romantic defiance toward society. In his final years, he wrote more reflective and philosophical lyrics, as well as longer narrative poems, also derived from Byronic models. The most important of these is The Demon (1839), on which he worked for a number of years. The story of a fallen angel's love for a woman, it has provided Russian literature and art with a powerful archetype. Besides poetry, Lermontov also wrote plays and fiction, of which A Hero of Our Time is the most important. Made up of several tales by different narrators, the novel centers on Pechorin---a seminal example of the egotistical nineteenth-century "superfluous man," a specifically Russian derivative of the Byronic hero. Both this protagonist and Lermontov's complex narrative technique gave a powerful stimulus to Russian realist fiction. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Includes the names: M. Lermontov, Lermontov M., M U Lermontov, M.I. Lermontov, M.J. Lermontow, M.IU Lermontov, M.J. Lermontov, M.J. Lermontow, M. Y. Lermontov, M.Ju. Lermontov, M. J. Lermontov, M. L. Lermontov, Lai Meng Tuo Fu, M. Y. Lermontov, Mijail Lermontov, M. Yu. Lermontov, Mihail Lermontov, M. Iu. Lermontov, Mikhai Lermontov, Mihail Lermentov, Mihail Lermontov, M.Joe. Lermontov, Michel Lermontov, M. Yu. Lermentov, Lermontov Mikhail, Mihhail Lermontov, Michał Lermontow, Mikhail Lermontov, Mikhail Lermontov, Kikhail Lermontov, Miĥail Lermontov, Michail Lermontov, Mijail Lérmontov, Michael Lermontov, Michail Lermontow, Mikhail Lermontov, Mihail LJERMONTOV, Michael Lermontof, Mikhail Lermentov, Michail Lermontov, Mihxail Lermontov, Michael Lermontow, Michaïl Lermontow, Mijaíl Lérmontov, Mikhaïl Lermontov, Mikhail Lérmontov, Mikhaïl Lérmontov, Michaíl Lérmontow, Mihail J. Lermontov, Miĥail J. Lermontov, Michail J. Lermontov, Michail J. Lermontov, Michail J. Lermontow, Mikhail Iu. Lermontov, Mijaíl Y. Lérmontov, Michail Ju. Lermontov, М.Ю. Лермонтов, М.Ю. Лермонтов, Michail Jurevic Lermontov, Mihail Iurevich Lermontov, Mihail Jur?evic Lermontov, Лермонтов М.Ю., Mijail Iur'evich Lermontov, Mihail Yuryeviç Lermontov, М. Ю. Лермонтов, Лермонтов М. Ю., Mikhail Yurevich Lermonyov, М. Ю. Лермонтов, М. Ю. Лермантов, Lermontov Mikhail Yurevich, М. Ю. Лерментов, Mikhail Iu'Evich Lermontov, Mikhail Iurevich Lermontov, Mikhail Yurevich Lermontov, Mihail Ûr'evič Lermontov, Mikhail Yurievich Lermontov, Michail Jùrevič Lermontov, Yurevich Lermontov, Mikhail, Mihxail Jurjevicx Lermontov, Michail Jurjevič Lermontov, Mikhail Iurievitx Lermontov, Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov, Lermontov M. (Lermontov M. ), Mikhail ÍÙrevich Lermontov, Michaìl Jùrjevic Lèrmontov, Michail Joerjewitsj Lermontow, Mikhaïl Iourievitch Lermontov, Михаил Лермонтов, Михаил Лермонтов, Mikhaïl Iourievitch Lermontov, ミハイル レールモントフ, Михаи́л Ле́рмонтов, Ergin Altay Mihail Yuryevic Lermontov, Mikhail IUrevich) M.J. (Lermontov Ljermontov, מיכאיל יוריביץ לרמונטוב, Михаил Юрьевич Лермонтов, Лермонтов Михаил Юрьевич, Михаи́л Ю́рьевич Ле́рмонтов

Image credit: Carte de visite from late 1880s (George Kennan Papers, LoC Prints and Photographs, LC-USZ62-128263)

Works by Mikhail Lermontov

A Hero of Our Time (1840) — Author — 3,718 copies
The Demon (1965) 94 copies
Taman' (1945) 32 copies
Narrative poems (1983) 30 copies
A Lermontov Reader (1965) 24 copies
Werken 21 copies
The Masquerade (1835) 21 copies
La princesse Ligovskoï (1965) 17 copies
Selected Works (1976) 16 copies
Mtsyri (Russian Edition) (1975) 15 copies
Liriche e poemi (1982) 11 copies
Mikhail Lermontov Vadim (1984) 9 copies
Valik luuletusi 6 copies
Werken 5 copies
Poeeme 5 copies
Поэмы (2015) 4 copies
Princidino Mary 3 copies
PROFİL (2002) 3 copies
Gedichte [Zweisprachig] — Author — 3 copies
Gedichte. (2000) 3 copies
O Herói do Nosso Tempo (2008) 3 copies
Hancer 3 copies
Бородино (1989) 3 copies
Major poetical works (1983) 2 copies
Poems 2 copies
Sotjinenija 2 copies
Lirika 2 copies
Mein Ru©land in Gedichten (2003) — Contributor — 2 copies
Lullabies Kolybelnye (2010) 1 copy
DEMONI 1 copy
Luuletusi 1 copy
Ashik-Kerib 1 copy
[Works] 1 copy
Geroy nashego vremeni (2015) 1 copy
ЛИРИКА (2014) 1 copy
Poems 1 copy
Stesk rozumu 1 copy
Lyrika 1 copy
Valda dikter 1 copy
Zamanimizin Kahramani (2019) 1 copy
Junak našeg doba (2008) 1 copy

Associated Works

Russian Short Stories from Pushkin to Buida (2005) — Contributor — 223 copies
The Portable Nineteenth-Century Russian Reader (1993) — Author, some editions — 203 copies
The Penguin book of Russian poetry (2015) — Contributor — 90 copies
The Everyman Anthology of Poetry for Children (1994) — Contributor — 72 copies
Russian Poets (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets) (2009) — Contributor — 64 copies
Meesters der Russische vertelkunst (1948) — Contributor — 17 copies
Russian 19th-century Gothic Tales (1984) — Contributor — 15 copies
Selected Russian Short Stories (1928) — Contributor — 13 copies
Russische verhalen (1965) — Contributor — 11 copies
Black Widow: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2021) — Composer — 2 copies
Russische Käuze (1968) — Contributor — 2 copies
Russland das große Lesebuch (2017) — Contributor — 2 copies
Die schönsten Pferdegeschichten (1999) — Author, some editions — 2 copies

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Reviews

Pushkin was killed in a duel at 37. Lermontov, a fairly immature (and wealthy) poet himself, responded with an angry poem condemning the society that supposedly pushed Pushkin to his death—a fate Lermontov himself would meet at the age of 26, also in a duel. It’s worth noting parenthetically that Lermontov’s work is notable for its protagonist as well as for Lermontov’s lyrical descriptions of the Caucasus Mountains where the stories are set. The Czar had effectively banished him there for his poem about Pushkin’s death. Lermontov’s anti-hero in this work, Pechorin, is a classic illustration of the “superfluous man,” a type created by Pushkin and later popularized by Turgenev. Pechorin is a cynical, arrogant egotist…unattractive at best. A Hero Of Our Time is his story, told in five parts, out of chronological order. The first story introduces Lermontov (the narrator), who is traveling through the Caucasus and meets Maksim Maksimych. This new friend recounts a story about his acquaintance, Pechorin. That narrative tells of Pechorin’s kidnapping and seducing a young local girl and the consequence of these acts. The next story introduces Pechorin in person, making clear just how unattractive most of his traits are. The last three stories consist of excerpts from Pechorin’s journals: “Taman” (Pechorin runs afoul of a band of smugglers); “Princess Mary,” a very long section about Pechorin’s courtship of a woman undertaken at the request of a another woman whom he actually loves, a story that ends tragically for all; and “The Fatalist,” a very short story about destiny and death. It’s hard not to be impressed by these stories which helped cement Lermontov’s place in the Russian pantheon. (Nabokov’s translation, which I read, was the first English version and it contains an interesting foreword; I also have a collection of Lermontov’s other works, including poetry, and the introduction by that translator (Guy Daniels) disagrees vigorously and at length with Nabokov’s interpretations. I suspect both are overstating their case, but the disagreement is enjoyable to behold!)… (more)
½
 
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Gypsy_Boy | 58 other reviews | Feb 16, 2024 |
Even though the title of this novel is" A Hero of Our Time" , some readers, especially women, will characterize the main character (Pechorin) as antihero. As for me, while reading the novel, I found a strong connection with the main character, and I must confess that many of the ideas he expressed resonated deeply with my own.

Pechorin, the protagonist, is a classic example of a Byronic hero. These characters are typically disillusioned, restless, and possess an intellectual superiority that sets them apart from society. They often engage in a self-destructive behavior out of boredom and a search for meaning. As the archetype of the superfluous man, an individual with exceptional talents who see himself as the victim of a cruel fate Pechorin's experiences and attitudes especially resonate with our contemporary society. His cynicism, apathy, and manipulate nature are damaging to both himself and his female lovers - Bela and Princess Mary.

The novel is unconventional, divided into five loosely connected parts narrated by different characters.This structure sheds light on Pechorin from various perspectives and challenges the reader to form their own understanding. Also, the significance of the different settings, particularly the Caucasus mountains, in shaping Pechorin's experiences and character play a significant role in the novel.

Romanticism vs. Realism: The novel combines elements of both literary movements. The romantic aspects of adventure, love, and nature is contrasted with the realistic portrayal of psychological complexity and social critique.

Morality and Choice: Pechorin's actions blur the lines between good and evil. It appears that he lacks autonomy or control over the choices he makes and despite his inherent goodness, his actions do not align with that nature.
Therefore, he is a complete victim of his circumstances.
… (more)
 
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imotadin | 58 other reviews | Jan 23, 2024 |
Libro eccezionale soprattutto per la struttura, che porta a inoltrarsi a poco a poco nella storia “entrando” al tempo stesso nei personaggi fino ad arrivare a Pečorin, figura tanto affascinante quanto respingente, ricca di ambiguità e fascino. Buona la traduzione di Paolo Nori, così come le sue quattro note conclusive.
 
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d.v. | 58 other reviews | May 16, 2023 |
After a dismal start that almost had me abandon the book, the story grabbed me when it turned to Peshorin, the hero in question. Or anti-hero in question. Determined to stay free of entanglements, he is not above playing with people, often to their pain and disadvantage. His voice is always reasonable, but you wouldn't want him as a friend.
½
 
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ffortsa | 58 other reviews | Mar 31, 2023 |

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Aleksandr Puschkin Contributor
Joseph Brodsky Contributor
Sergej Jessenin Contributor
Aleksandr Blok Contributor
Anna Achmatowa Contributor
Gennadij Ajgi Contributor
Vladimir Nabokov Afterword, Translator
Aleida G. Schot Translator
Dmitri Nabokov Translator
Edward Gorey Cover designer
Natasha Randall Translator
Paul Foote Translator
Marian Schwartz Translator
Pia Pera Translator
Philip Longworth Translator
Ulf Malmsten Translator
Neil LaBute Foreword
Alice Wallenius Translator
Eva van Santen Translator
Aleida G. Schot Translator

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