Customer Reviews

Dubrovsky (Hesperus Classics)

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Pushkin was able to write two great stories. The most important one is called Dubrovsky and is about a soldier who sets to avenge the dishonor his father suffered in the hands of his powerful neighbor. The tale takes a lot of unexpected turns, which makes the book an excellent read. A great example of prose that will keep you interested. Don't be surprised if you finish the book in less than a day.

This is a fine novel. It is not outstanding, but it is not bad, either.

Fine, however, is typically not what readers look for in a novel. The fact is that this is a simple adventure story that lacks the narrative greatness of Tolstoy, the impeccable structuring of Turgenev, or the psychological insights of Dostoevsky. What makes this more important, as a novel, is that it is a highly-accessible way to read Pushkin. Why might you want to do that, you might ask? Well, if you are ever planning on reading any of the later Russian greats, you will hear Pushkin's name very often. In some ways, I think it is safe to say that Pushkin's importance to the Russian novel is analogous to Dickens' importance to the English novel.

One thing it is important to note: This novel was never finished. While the novel has somewhat of a climax, those of you wanting a traditional denouement should look elsewhere.