Tales of Belkin and Other Prose Writings

Found in book: bookmark from Better World Books

I think I may be in love with Alexander Pushkin. Half way through one of his stories, I spent hours going down a rabbit hole of other books by him, biographies about him, notes and further reading in the front and back of the book, and “ because you are reading Tales, might we suggest other Russian literature?”

Tales is a wonderful place to start if you are new to Pushkin like I am. I love short stories by new-to-me authors where I can sample their storytelling. What I especially enjoyed were the slice of life little moments where I wanted more of the story and characters. Stories about the postmaster, undertaker, young lovers, military life.

I visited my local used bookstore and came show more home with dozens of books of Russian literature. Pushkin’s writing encourages the reader to expand their knowledge of literature and I’ve taken up the challenge to read more of not only his books but more classics next year. show less

"Moral commonplaces are amazingly useful when we can find little in ourselves with which to justify our actions."

Tales of Belkin and Other Prose Writings is mostly a disarming and amusing collection of short stories. What's surprising was how much I enjoyed the stories involving romantic conquests and satirical dramas involving peasantry life (in stories 'The Blizzard', 'The Undertaker', 'The Postmaster', and 'The Squire's Daughter'). Pushkin's prose conveys erudition in their lighthearted coincidences and humorous parodies. More so in rare times where it tickles the ridiculous indulgence of the upper classes and pokes fun with the entitlement and arrogance of men (in the story 'Roslavlev' one female character said in disdain: "There is show more no doubt that Russian women are better educated, read more, and think more than the men, who are busy with God knows what.") However, the latter stories prove to be a bore and a challenge. My limited knowledge of the Russo-Turkish war made my attention drift and leave now and then that I couldn't care less how it all ended. But the title should have been a giveaway. The Tales of Belkin is a staple of Russian short stories, I dare say, next to Chekhov's whilst the other prose writings are of an acquired taste. show less

Clear and direct prose, surely a model for Tolstoy and Hemingway.

Be sure to read "Eugene Onegin" and in James E. Falen's translation.

***WHO SUCKED ME IN***
Bookish Topics on YouTube in their video published on 23 sept. 2020

"Love"

I always wanted to read a Russian author but I'm very much not into tragedies or bleak stories. She told that Alexander Pushkin has a great writing style but also this book had stories in them that have a happy end!