Eugene Onegin and Other Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets) [Hardcover]

Alexander Pushkin (Author), Charles Johnston (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Everyman's Library Pocket Poets | Publication Date: May 18, 1999

Eugene Onegin (1833) is a comedy of manners, written in exquisitely crafted verse, about two young members of the Russian gentry, the eponymous hero and the girl Tatyana, who don't quite connect. It is also the greatest masterpiece of Russian literature - the source of the human archetypes and the attitudes that define and govern the towering fictional creations of nineteenth century Russia and one of the most celebrated poems of the world. Before Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837) wrote Eugene Onegin, his nation's literature was a parochial one; after he wrote it, due in no small part to its power and influence, the Russian tradition became one of the central traditions of Western civilization.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Everyman's Library (May 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375406727
• ISBN-13: 978-0375406720
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 0.7 x 6.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Best Read in Russian, June 25, 2002

By 

Ray Farmer (Concord, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eugene Onegin and Other Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets) (Hardcover)

"Eugene Onegin" was the first major work written in Russian, helping to establish that language's illustrious literary tradition. This novel in verse brought to fame Aleksandr Pushkin, who later turned his talents from poetry on to prose fiction with such titles as "The Captain's Daughter", "The Queen of Spades", and "Dubrovskii".

Briefly, the story concerns the encounter between two landed gentry, Eugene, who is disillusioned by his former experiences of St. Petersburg, and Tatyana, a provincial girl who sees the world through her English romance poetry. Obviously, the meeting is an ugly one. The ending is left for the reader to discover, but we all get to see how pitiful Onegin really is.

This edition includes the unfinished poem, "Onegin's Journey", and the classic "The Bronze Horseman", which is famous for describing the unstoppable and cruel will of Peter the Great in modernizing Russia.

The only problem that I had was in the English translation of "Eugene Onegin". Translating a poem from one lanaguage to another, while still maintaining proper meter and rhyme is no mean feat. Nevertheless, something is lost in the delivery of the poem and unfortunately, we can appreciate only part of Pushkin's genius by reading the English translation. I'd like to learn Russian well enough to be able to read Pushkin's poetry in order to appreciate his work more fully. Well I'm working on it!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Good As It Gets, December 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Eugene Onegin and Other Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets) (Hardcover)

Though not written in Alexander Pushkin's native Russian, this edition of his immortal classic "Eugene Onegin" is as near to perfection as it could possibly be. This particular translation is eloquent and full of the lighthearted humor and poetry that I believe to be an integral part of Pushkin himself. Yet the novel in poetry is also able to evoke a melancholy sadness, and it leaves the reader with feelings that aren't easily shaken.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Russian Classic, August 19, 2008

By 

Gwendolyn Dawson "Literary License" (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eugene Onegin and Other Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets) (Hardcover)

This is a brief story-poem--a Russian classic. Many would argue this is the most important work of Russian literature. The characters are interesting and well-drawn. The most compelling character--Tatiyana--introduced a new character type to Russian literature. A very worthwhile read, particularly for those interested in the evolution of literature. Also, this particular edition is beautiful.