Eugene Onegin (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

by Alexander Pushkin (Author), Charles Johnston (Translator), John Bayley (Preface), Michael Basker (Introduction) "'My uncle - high ideals inspire him; but when past joking he fell sick, he really forced one to admire him -and never played a..." (more)
Key Phrases: free novel, stanza form, Martin Zadéka, Vladimir Lensky

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Translated by Charles Johnston with an Introduction and Notes by Michael Basker.

About the Author
Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, the Russian poet and author was born in Moscow in 1799. He was exiled for his liberal views on serfdom and autocracy, but this exile allowed him the freedom and the time to write some of his greatest works. He died in 1837 when he was fatally wounded in a dual. Charles Johnston was a translator and poet. He died in 1986. Michael Basker teaches Russian at Bristol University. John Bayley has published many books including studies of Tolstoy and Pushkin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; Revised edition (April 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140448039
• ISBN-13: 978-0140448030
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #489,411 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #43 in

  Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Russian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Verse Classic from Russia's Foremost Poet, June 11, 2007

By	Xepharalon (USA) - See all my reviews

Eugene Onegin, capably translated by Charles Johnston is a simply amazing piece of literature. Possibly Pushkin's most well known work, it maintains enormous influence in Russia today, with Pushkin often considered to be the 'Russian Shakespeare'. Any fan of Russian literature should take the time to read this or any of Pushkin's other works, as so many of the great Russian writers that are so well known were inspired and influenced by this great poet's work.

The novel is written in verse format, in a style that has come to be known as the "Onegin Stanza". This 14 line format allows for a range of emotions and reading experience over the course of the novel. Sometimes light and playful, other times deadly serious, the verse format of the novel adds a lyrical readability to the novel, while at the same time making the many shifts in subject potentially disconcerting. These shifts in focus (to literary conventions and precedents, women's feet, and various other confessions and tidbits) along with the novel's scope of focus and time make it many times complicated to understand. However, this is one of the novel's great achievements as it provides insight and exploration in a wide range of topics, while maintaining a literary self-awareness. The guiding plot is thoughtful, surprising and enjoyable as it (again) explores a vast range of life experiences, hinging on a couple of vicissitudes.

The Penguin edition with its introduction and further reading recommendations is helpful in understanding the role that this novel has had in Russian culture as well as critical studies. The notes are helpful throughout the novel - the fact that they are not denoted in the text and are instead attributed to each stanza makes it easy to read the notes either concurrent with the novel or as a nice addition after having completed the novel.

Eugene Onegin is truly deserving of all the praise and attention that it has received over the years - I highly recommend it as a literary experience that will not be soon forgotten.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Father-Poet of Russian Literature, February 14, 2008

By	C. Robert Broerse "Buchlieber" (North Vancouver, B.C.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For those who can read the original Russian, I'm sure this English translation would be surprising to them. A poem-novel...written in Russian by the great Pushkin, known for his short stories, plays and poetry...this book is the beginning of our understanding of Russian literature in the 19th century. The hero is Byronic in nature but the landscape, the time, the mood is distinctly Russian. This novel set the tone for Lermontov, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and to a certain extent, the writings of Akmahtova in the 20th century.

I would consider this translation above others. It's the first version I read and the only one I want to read (I've made comparisons to other versions and still find this the most emotionally satisfying...the feelings, the intensity of mood, the beauty, the passion...I'm sure if Byron were alive today, he would read this one...and if Pushkin were alive and read modern English, perhaps this one too.)

Well worth your currency to pick this one up, for yourself and/or those with a love of Dostoevsky or Lermontov.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, May 27, 2008

By	lulu58 "love the oldies" (California USA) - See all my reviews

Love this book. I love poetry and Puskin is one of my favorite authors. The story depics Russian society in the 1800. It is a well written novel in the form of a poem. The hero of the novel Eugene Onigin is described as a sinical character while Tatyana, the heroine is the fulfilment of moral and social duty. It is a wonderful book to read. It is a love story.