Reviews

This was worth reading since it was short and interesting. Do not expect it to be a masterpiece like Tolstoy s or Dostoevsky s works, because it is not but I do not think it was intended to be. As far as short stories go, though, it is good. I enjoyed it. It takes some unexpected turns and is filled with enough emotional scenes. The writing is good. It's really not bad at all.
I mainly read it because I heard that he was admired by famous Russian authors of the late 19th century.
Lermentov s life story is actually really interesting too and one of the other reasons why I decided to read it.
I would recommend.

kaka66's review against another edition

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mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

amolotkov's review against another edition

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5.0

It was a delight to revisit this novel, perhaps the first modern novel in existence if you contrast its freshness with the stuff written elsewhere in those days. Packed with chronology diversions and unusual POV shifts, along with meta moments and other goodies, Lermontov's novel would have felt more "in its time" about a century later, which speaks to the immense talent of this young man whose six-year-long literary career was cut off by his own death before the age of 28.

meakin212's review against another edition

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5.0

I think I read this under the best circumstances: on a barge going down the Seine. A retired professor saw me reading it and I got a free seminar in Russian lit, on the spot. That experience is mixed up with the reading of the book. Would I love the book otherwise? yes. But external circumstances can make books even better.

kobusu's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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