The Twelve Chairs (European Classics) [Paperback]

Ilya Ilf (Author), Evgeny Petrov (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian

Product Details

• Paperback: 395 pages
• Publisher: Northwestern University Press (April 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810114844
• ISBN-13: 978-0810114845
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentlemen of the Jury, things are moving!, December 3, 2001

By 

Alessandro Bruno (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Twelve Chairs (European Classics) (Paperback)

This is a farcical tale of three men in search of treasure buried in one of 12 identical armchairs. The story is very much a buddy tale of adventures and misadventures as the characters do almost anything to get their hands on the chairs in the Soviet Union of the 1920's. However, the story of the treasure hunt and the Marx Brothers like characters is really only the backdrop to a much deeper purpose, as The Twelve Chairs effectively describes the period of transition from czarist to Soviet rule. In between the tribulations of the heroes are many details of the food that was being served, student accomodations, railway and public construction projects, housing sooperatives and less than honest public servants. It is also very interesting to see how helpless the former upper class - the nobility - had become and how the Soviet Union, at least in its early days, could be exploited by the street smart like Ostap Bender. This is a very funny book that is also informative and is well worth reading. Inevitably, Bulgakov comes to mind as a complementary read; though he is somewhat more direct in his accusations of the regime.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your life is NOT Complete without this book!, June 1, 2001

By 

Jonathon Moseley (Ashubrn, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twelve Chairs (European Classics) (Paperback)

If you talk to ANY Russian in the world, and mention "The Twelve Chairs" from their cultural heritage, or the "Rogei e kapuuta" phony business in the book, ALL Russians will spontaneously and uncontrollably smile. Normally glum Russians are unable to resist a smile at remembering the hilarious antics and insights in "The Twelve Chairs." It is set in the 'crazy time' when Russian society was in upheaval and some men just wanted to make their fortune. What do the Russians know that you are MISSING out on? They get the joke. You should get it, too! This English translation is a MUST read.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Translation not wonderful, June 4, 2006

By 

Uncle Vodka - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twelve Chairs (European Classics) (Paperback)

I have read the book in Russian and in this translation. Should be no need to say how great a book the original is. My main gripe with the translation is the awful job the translator does on the "Grandmaster" chapter no. 34 when Bender pretends to be a chess player. The translator obviously has no idea about chess terminology (e.g. Spanish Gambit should be Ruy Lopez or the Spanish Opening, pass pawn should be passed pawn, the translator has no concept of what "the exchange" is, etc.) - although Bender is only pretending to be a player, all the chess language is correct in the original (one of the authors was a good player and knew what he was talking about). I work as a translator myself and if I showed such a lamentable lack of knowledge of the subject matter my client would haul me over the coals for it.

No other book opens the door to so many private Russian jokes as this one (they quote it the way we might quote lines from Monty Python)and if this translation is your only access to it, go ahead and read it, it is still worth it.