Marvelous, 02 Apr 2008
This is undoubtedly one (short but) marvelous exploration of love and jealousy. From the start I knew the story ended in tears but I could not prise myself from the grip of the narrator's clarity of voice and the poet's lyrical finesse. Yes, plot is non-existent but this is verse and not a novel and the reader must ingest the story as s/he rides the waves thrown by the meter's boisterous rhythm.

I was there with the central actors much like I had been where they were: keen-lite on an adoring lover but pining for some other who cared little if I existed. The poem is quick-witted, charming and clever. Normally I find poems much hard work to decipher but this reads like a story. Pushkin (Russia's greatest poet) deliciously serves up a timeless classic whilst discreetly slipping us tasteful hor'dourves from eighteenth century Russian glitterati. This was the book that established russian as a language fit for serious literature. I will never know how well this English translation does justice to the original but it's fine enough to show up how brilliant the original must have been.

Read it if you must pig out on fine literature.

A masterpiece of Russian literature, 10 Apr 2006
Eugene Onegin is a classic which can be enjoyed by readers of Russian literature, or those who are new to the genre completely. Pushkin's style is fluent and filled with character, and reflections on Russian literature and culture; a style which is uniquely his own. The story appeals to all readers as it addresses those most fundamental of human emotions; love and jealousy, and their effects upon our lives. I would recommend this book to any fan of Pushkin's works, but also to anyone new to Russian literature; this is a perfect introduction which also discusses the culture and history of Russia. A fantastic read.

Facinating, 18 Jul 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

Marvelous, 02 Apr 2008
This is undoubtedly one (short but) marvelous exploration of love and jealousy. From the start I knew the story ended in tears but I could not prise myself from the grip of the narrator's clarity of voice and the poet's lyrical finesse. Yes, plot is non-existent but this is verse and not a novel and the reader must ingest the story as s/he rides the waves thrown by the meter's boisterous rhythm.

I was there with the central actors much like I had been where they were: keen-lite on an adoring lover but pining for some other who cared little if I existed. The poem is quick-witted, charming and clever. Normally I find poems much hard work to decipher but this reads like a story. Pushkin (Russia's greatest poet) deliciously serves up a timeless classic whilst discreetly slipping us tasteful hor'dourves from eighteenth century Russian glitterati. This was the book that established russian as a language fit for serious literature. I will never know how well this English translation does justice to the original but it's fine enough to show up how brilliant the original must have been.

Read it if you must pig out on fine literature.

A masterpiece of Russian literature, 10 Apr 2006
Eugene Onegin is a classic which can be enjoyed by readers of Russian literature, or those who are new to the genre completely. Pushkin's style is fluent and filled with character, and reflections on Russian literature and culture; a style which is uniquely his own. The story appeals to all readers as it addresses those most fundamental of human emotions; love and jealousy, and their effects upon our lives. I would recommend this book to any fan of Pushkin's works, but also to anyone new to Russian literature; this is a perfect introduction which also discusses the culture and history of Russia. A fantastic read.

Facinating, 18 Jul 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

A Well-Deserved Reputation - even in English, 15 Aug 2002
After reading about all the debates and problems with translation, I was a bit apprehensive about reading Eugene Onegin. But I was not disappointed in fact it exceeded my expectations. I don't read Russian, but if Pushkin's original was lyrical, then so is this translation, if the original was witty, likewise and if in Russian it is a book that elicits ecstatic praise as a landmark work and one of the peaks of Russian literature, then after reading Eugene Onegin this reader at least can but agree. Poetry can say so much more in a few lines than prose can and the characters here are beautifully drawn with elegant economy. The story is, of course, a sad one but one with which it is easy to identify. Another key element is Pushkin's humour which is genuinely amusing.
A work born, not made.

An outstanding translation of a supreme masterpiece, 04 Nov 2000
Nearly every Russian sees Pushkin as their country's greatest writer. This perception, however, is not shared by many foreigners. The problem, of course, is translation. Pushkin's verse is supremely elegant, witty and musical. Few, if any, great poets are harder to translate.

Charles Johnston's version is not at all bad, and conveys much of Pushkin's wit - though not his lyricism. James Falen's version (Oxford World's Classics) is better still. Stanley Mitchells's long-awaited version (just published by Penguin Classics (2008) is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. It fully deserves ten stars, but the amazon programme for some reason does not allow me to change the 3 stars I originally gave to a different translation in an earlier version of this review.

Very entertaining read, 29 Jan 2000
The verse and language are wonderful.The story left me a little cold(a rather boring love story)but well worth the read.If you like this one(and even if you don't),try Vikram Seth's "The Golden Gate".He sites Onegin as one of his major influences for his novel(also all in verse)and The Golden Gate is one of the most amazing books you'll ever read(check out the online reviews of that book if in doubt!).

Marvelous, 02 Apr 2008
This is undoubtedly one (short but) marvelous exploration of love and jealousy. From the start I knew the story ended in tears but I could not prise myself from the grip of the narrator's clarity of voice and the poet's lyrical finesse. Yes, plot is non-existent but this is verse and not a novel and the reader must ingest the story as s/he rides the waves thrown by the meter's boisterous rhythm.

I was there with the central actors much like I had been where they were: keen-lite on an adoring lover but pining for some other who cared little if I existed. The poem is quick-witted, charming and clever. Normally I find poems much hard work to decipher but this reads like a story. Pushkin (Russia's greatest poet) deliciously serves up a timeless classic whilst discreetly slipping us tasteful hor'dourves from eighteenth century Russian glitterati. This was the book that established russian as a language fit for serious literature. I will never know how well this English translation does justice to the original but it's fine enough to show up how brilliant the original must have been.

Read it if you must pig out on fine literature.

A masterpiece of Russian literature, 10 Apr 2006
Eugene Onegin is a classic which can be enjoyed by readers of Russian literature, or those who are new to the genre completely. Pushkin's style is fluent and filled with character, and reflections on Russian literature and culture; a style which is uniquely his own. The story appeals to all readers as it addresses those most fundamental of human emotions; love and jealousy, and their effects upon our lives. I would recommend this book to any fan of Pushkin's works, but also to anyone new to Russian literature; this is a perfect introduction which also discusses the culture and history of Russia. A fantastic read.

Facinating, 18 Jul 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

A Well-Deserved Reputation - even in English, 15 Aug 2002
After reading about all the debates and problems with translation, I was a bit apprehensive about reading Eugene Onegin. But I was not disappointed in fact it exceeded my expectations. I don't read Russian, but if Pushkin's original was lyrical, then so is this translation, if the original was witty, likewise and if in Russian it is a book that elicits ecstatic praise as a landmark work and one of the peaks of Russian literature, then after reading Eugene Onegin this reader at least can but agree. Poetry can say so much more in a few lines than prose can and the characters here are beautifully drawn with elegant economy. The story is, of course, a sad one but one with which it is easy to identify. Another key element is Pushkin's humour which is genuinely amusing.
A work born, not made.

An outstanding translation of a supreme masterpiece, 04 Nov 2000
Nearly every Russian sees Pushkin as their country's greatest writer. This perception, however, is not shared by many foreigners. The problem, of course, is translation. Pushkin's verse is supremely elegant, witty and musical. Few, if any, great poets are harder to translate.

Charles Johnston's version is not at all bad, and conveys much of Pushkin's wit - though not his lyricism. James Falen's version (Oxford World's Classics) is better still. Stanley Mitchells's long-awaited version (just published by Penguin Classics (2008) is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. It fully deserves ten stars, but the amazon programme for some reason does not allow me to change the 3 stars I originally gave to a different translation in an earlier version of this review.

Very entertaining read, 29 Jan 2000
The verse and language are wonderful.The story left me a little cold(a rather boring love story)but well worth the read.If you like this one(and even if you don't),try Vikram Seth's "The Golden Gate".He sites Onegin as one of his major influences for his novel(also all in verse)and The Golden Gate is one of the most amazing books you'll ever read(check out the online reviews of that book if in doubt!).

Eugene Onegin; a prose translation, 14 Jul 2008
Roger Clarke has produced a most readable prose translation of this well known work by Puskin.
The helpful introduction attempts an answer to the controversial question 'Why translate into prose'? Instead of stumbling over a translation into poetry try this volume which I found got me much closer to the essence of Pushkin's masterpiece.
In addition there some very useful notes and a short biography of Pushkin plus a couple of maps. Four of Pushkin's prose works complete the volume which is very good value and can be highly recommended.

Russia's Shakespeare, 15 May 2008
Sadly I have no knowledge of the Russian language so am not able to comment on the translation into English per se. However, I thought the text flowed in a beautifully rhythmic pattern. The descriptive passages evoked scenes I had encountered in other books and films appertaining to Russia. In essence it is a story of unrequited love. This book was included in our study material for our literature class last year. We were very fortunate in that Roger Clarke spent one of the classes sharing his passion for this author and his efforts in bringing Pushkin to the English public at large. I enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would.

Marvelous, 02 Apr 2008
This is undoubtedly one (short but) marvelous exploration of love and jealousy. From the start I knew the story ended in tears but I could not prise myself from the grip of the narrator's clarity of voice and the poet's lyrical finesse. Yes, plot is non-existent but this is verse and not a novel and the reader must ingest the story as s/he rides the waves thrown by the meter's boisterous rhythm.

I was there with the central actors much like I had been where they were: keen-lite on an adoring lover but pining for some other who cared little if I existed. The poem is quick-witted, charming and clever. Normally I find poems much hard work to decipher but this reads like a story. Pushkin (Russia's greatest poet) deliciously serves up a timeless classic whilst discreetly slipping us tasteful hor'dourves from eighteenth century Russian glitterati. This was the book that established russian as a language fit for serious literature. I will never know how well this English translation does justice to the original but it's fine enough to show up how brilliant the original must have been.

Read it if you must pig out on fine literature.

A masterpiece of Russian literature, 10 Apr 2006
Eugene Onegin is a classic which can be enjoyed by readers of Russian literature, or those who are new to the genre completely. Pushkin's style is fluent and filled with character, and reflections on Russian literature and culture; a style which is uniquely his own. The story appeals to all readers as it addresses those most fundamental of human emotions; love and jealousy, and their effects upon our lives. I would recommend this book to any fan of Pushkin's works, but also to anyone new to Russian literature; this is a perfect introduction which also discusses the culture and history of Russia. A fantastic read.

Facinating, 18 Jul 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

A Well-Deserved Reputation - even in English, 15 Aug 2002
After reading about all the debates and problems with translation, I was a bit apprehensive about reading Eugene Onegin. But I was not disappointed in fact it exceeded my expectations. I don't read Russian, but if Pushkin's original was lyrical, then so is this translation, if the original was witty, likewise and if in Russian it is a book that elicits ecstatic praise as a landmark work and one of the peaks of Russian literature, then after reading Eugene Onegin this reader at least can but agree. Poetry can say so much more in a few lines than prose can and the characters here are beautifully drawn with elegant economy. The story is, of course, a sad one but one with which it is easy to identify. Another key element is Pushkin's humour which is genuinely amusing.
A work born, not made.

An outstanding translation of a supreme masterpiece, 04 Nov 2000
Nearly every Russian sees Pushkin as their country's greatest writer. This perception, however, is not shared by many foreigners. The problem, of course, is translation. Pushkin's verse is supremely elegant, witty and musical. Few, if any, great poets are harder to translate.

Charles Johnston's version is not at all bad, and conveys much of Pushkin's wit - though not his lyricism. James Falen's version (Oxford World's Classics) is better still. Stanley Mitchells's long-awaited version (just published by Penguin Classics (2008) is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. It fully deserves ten stars, but the amazon programme for some reason does not allow me to change the 3 stars I originally gave to a different translation in an earlier version of this review.

Very entertaining read, 29 Jan 2000
The verse and language are wonderful.The story left me a little cold(a rather boring love story)but well worth the read.If you like this one(and even if you don't),try Vikram Seth's "The Golden Gate".He sites Onegin as one of his major influences for his novel(also all in verse)and The Golden Gate is one of the most amazing books you'll ever read(check out the online reviews of that book if in doubt!).

Eugene Onegin; a prose translation, 14 Jul 2008
Roger Clarke has produced a most readable prose translation of this well known work by Puskin.
The helpful introduction attempts an answer to the controversial question 'Why translate into prose'? Instead of stumbling over a translation into poetry try this volume which I found got me much closer to the essence of Pushkin's masterpiece.
In addition there some very useful notes and a short biography of Pushkin plus a couple of maps. Four of Pushkin's prose works complete the volume which is very good value and can be highly recommended.

Russia's Shakespeare, 15 May 2008
Sadly I have no knowledge of the Russian language so am not able to comment on the translation into English per se. However, I thought the text flowed in a beautifully rhythmic pattern. The descriptive passages evoked scenes I had encountered in other books and films appertaining to Russia. In essence it is a story of unrequited love. This book was included in our study material for our literature class last year. We were very fortunate in that Roger Clarke spent one of the classes sharing his passion for this author and his efforts in bringing Pushkin to the English public at large. I enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would.

Fascinating, 07 Aug 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

Marvelous, 02 Apr 2008
This is undoubtedly one (short but) marvelous exploration of love and jealousy. From the start I knew the story ended in tears but I could not prise myself from the grip of the narrator's clarity of voice and the poet's lyrical finesse. Yes, plot is non-existent but this is verse and not a novel and the reader must ingest the story as s/he rides the waves thrown by the meter's boisterous rhythm.

I was there with the central actors much like I had been where they were: keen-lite on an adoring lover but pining for some other who cared little if I existed. The poem is quick-witted, charming and clever. Normally I find poems much hard work to decipher but this reads like a story. Pushkin (Russia's greatest poet) deliciously serves up a timeless classic whilst discreetly slipping us tasteful hor'dourves from eighteenth century Russian glitterati. This was the book that established russian as a language fit for serious literature. I will never know how well this English translation does justice to the original but it's fine enough to show up how brilliant the original must have been.

Read it if you must pig out on fine literature.

A masterpiece of Russian literature, 10 Apr 2006
Eugene Onegin is a classic which can be enjoyed by readers of Russian literature, or those who are new to the genre completely. Pushkin's style is fluent and filled with character, and reflections on Russian literature and culture; a style which is uniquely his own. The story appeals to all readers as it addresses those most fundamental of human emotions; love and jealousy, and their effects upon our lives. I would recommend this book to any fan of Pushkin's works, but also to anyone new to Russian literature; this is a perfect introduction which also discusses the culture and history of Russia. A fantastic read.

Facinating, 18 Jul 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

A Well-Deserved Reputation - even in English, 15 Aug 2002
After reading about all the debates and problems with translation, I was a bit apprehensive about reading Eugene Onegin. But I was not disappointed in fact it exceeded my expectations. I don't read Russian, but if Pushkin's original was lyrical, then so is this translation, if the original was witty, likewise and if in Russian it is a book that elicits ecstatic praise as a landmark work and one of the peaks of Russian literature, then after reading Eugene Onegin this reader at least can but agree. Poetry can say so much more in a few lines than prose can and the characters here are beautifully drawn with elegant economy. The story is, of course, a sad one but one with which it is easy to identify. Another key element is Pushkin's humour which is genuinely amusing.
A work born, not made.

An outstanding translation of a supreme masterpiece, 04 Nov 2000
Nearly every Russian sees Pushkin as their country's greatest writer. This perception, however, is not shared by many foreigners. The problem, of course, is translation. Pushkin's verse is supremely elegant, witty and musical. Few, if any, great poets are harder to translate.

Charles Johnston's version is not at all bad, and conveys much of Pushkin's wit - though not his lyricism. James Falen's version (Oxford World's Classics) is better still. Stanley Mitchells's long-awaited version (just published by Penguin Classics (2008) is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. It fully deserves ten stars, but the amazon programme for some reason does not allow me to change the 3 stars I originally gave to a different translation in an earlier version of this review.

Very entertaining read, 29 Jan 2000
The verse and language are wonderful.The story left me a little cold(a rather boring love story)but well worth the read.If you like this one(and even if you don't),try Vikram Seth's "The Golden Gate".He sites Onegin as one of his major influences for his novel(also all in verse)and The Golden Gate is one of the most amazing books you'll ever read(check out the online reviews of that book if in doubt!).

Eugene Onegin; a prose translation, 14 Jul 2008
Roger Clarke has produced a most readable prose translation of this well known work by Puskin.
The helpful introduction attempts an answer to the controversial question 'Why translate into prose'? Instead of stumbling over a translation into poetry try this volume which I found got me much closer to the essence of Pushkin's masterpiece.
In addition there some very useful notes and a short biography of Pushkin plus a couple of maps. Four of Pushkin's prose works complete the volume which is very good value and can be highly recommended.

Russia's Shakespeare, 15 May 2008
Sadly I have no knowledge of the Russian language so am not able to comment on the translation into English per se. However, I thought the text flowed in a beautifully rhythmic pattern. The descriptive passages evoked scenes I had encountered in other books and films appertaining to Russia. In essence it is a story of unrequited love. This book was included in our study material for our literature class last year. We were very fortunate in that Roger Clarke spent one of the classes sharing his passion for this author and his efforts in bringing Pushkin to the English public at large. I enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would.

Fascinating, 07 Aug 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Marvelous, 02 Apr 2008
This is undoubtedly one (short but) marvelous exploration of love and jealousy. From the start I knew the story ended in tears but I could not prise myself from the grip of the narrator's clarity of voice and the poet's lyrical finesse. Yes, plot is non-existent but this is verse and not a novel and the reader must ingest the story as s/he rides the waves thrown by the meter's boisterous rhythm.

I was there with the central actors much like I had been where they were: keen-lite on an adoring lover but pining for some other who cared little if I existed. The poem is quick-witted, charming and clever. Normally I find poems much hard work to decipher but this reads like a story. Pushkin (Russia's greatest poet) deliciously serves up a timeless classic whilst discreetly slipping us tasteful hor'dourves from eighteenth century Russian glitterati. This was the book that established russian as a language fit for serious literature. I will never know how well this English translation does justice to the original but it's fine enough to show up how brilliant the original must have been.

Read it if you must pig out on fine literature.

A masterpiece of Russian literature, 10 Apr 2006
Eugene Onegin is a classic which can be enjoyed by readers of Russian literature, or those who are new to the genre completely. Pushkin's style is fluent and filled with character, and reflections on Russian literature and culture; a style which is uniquely his own. The story appeals to all readers as it addresses those most fundamental of human emotions; love and jealousy, and their effects upon our lives. I would recommend this book to any fan of Pushkin's works, but also to anyone new to Russian literature; this is a perfect introduction which also discusses the culture and history of Russia. A fantastic read.

Facinating, 18 Jul 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

A Well-Deserved Reputation - even in English, 15 Aug 2002
After reading about all the debates and problems with translation, I was a bit apprehensive about reading Eugene Onegin. But I was not disappointed in fact it exceeded my expectations. I don't read Russian, but if Pushkin's original was lyrical, then so is this translation, if the original was witty, likewise and if in Russian it is a book that elicits ecstatic praise as a landmark work and one of the peaks of Russian literature, then after reading Eugene Onegin this reader at least can but agree. Poetry can say so much more in a few lines than prose can and the characters here are beautifully drawn with elegant economy. The story is, of course, a sad one but one with which it is easy to identify. Another key element is Pushkin's humour which is genuinely amusing.
A work born, not made.

An outstanding translation of a supreme masterpiece, 04 Nov 2000
Nearly every Russian sees Pushkin as their country's greatest writer. This perception, however, is not shared by many foreigners. The problem, of course, is translation. Pushkin's verse is supremely elegant, witty and musical. Few, if any, great poets are harder to translate.

Charles Johnston's version is not at all bad, and conveys much of Pushkin's wit - though not his lyricism. James Falen's version (Oxford World's Classics) is better still. Stanley Mitchells's long-awaited version (just published by Penguin Classics (2008) is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. It fully deserves ten stars, but the amazon programme for some reason does not allow me to change the 3 stars I originally gave to a different translation in an earlier version of this review.

Very entertaining read, 29 Jan 2000
The verse and language are wonderful.The story left me a little cold(a rather boring love story)but well worth the read.If you like this one(and even if you don't),try Vikram Seth's "The Golden Gate".He sites Onegin as one of his major influences for his novel(also all in verse)and The Golden Gate is one of the most amazing books you'll ever read(check out the online reviews of that book if in doubt!).

Eugene Onegin; a prose translation, 14 Jul 2008
Roger Clarke has produced a most readable prose translation of this well known work by Puskin.
The helpful introduction attempts an answer to the controversial question 'Why translate into prose'? Instead of stumbling over a translation into poetry try this volume which I found got me much closer to the essence of Pushkin's masterpiece.
In addition there some very useful notes and a short biography of Pushkin plus a couple of maps. Four of Pushkin's prose works complete the volume which is very good value and can be highly recommended.

Russia's Shakespeare, 15 May 2008
Sadly I have no knowledge of the Russian language so am not able to comment on the translation into English per se. However, I thought the text flowed in a beautifully rhythmic pattern. The descriptive passages evoked scenes I had encountered in other books and films appertaining to Russia. In essence it is a story of unrequited love. This book was included in our study material for our literature class last year. We were very fortunate in that Roger Clarke spent one of the classes sharing his passion for this author and his efforts in bringing Pushkin to the English public at large. I enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would.

Fascinating, 07 Aug 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Marvelous, 02 Apr 2008
This is undoubtedly one (short but) marvelous exploration of love and jealousy. From the start I knew the story ended in tears but I could not prise myself from the grip of the narrator's clarity of voice and the poet's lyrical finesse. Yes, plot is non-existent but this is verse and not a novel and the reader must ingest the story as s/he rides the waves thrown by the meter's boisterous rhythm.

I was there with the central actors much like I had been where they were: keen-lite on an adoring lover but pining for some other who cared little if I existed. The poem is quick-witted, charming and clever. Normally I find poems much hard work to decipher but this reads like a story. Pushkin (Russia's greatest poet) deliciously serves up a timeless classic whilst discreetly slipping us tasteful hor'dourves from eighteenth century Russian glitterati. This was the book that established russian as a language fit for serious literature. I will never know how well this English translation does justice to the original but it's fine enough to show up how brilliant the original must have been.

Read it if you must pig out on fine literature.

A masterpiece of Russian literature, 10 Apr 2006
Eugene Onegin is a classic which can be enjoyed by readers of Russian literature, or those who are new to the genre completely. Pushkin's style is fluent and filled with character, and reflections on Russian literature and culture; a style which is uniquely his own. The story appeals to all readers as it addresses those most fundamental of human emotions; love and jealousy, and their effects upon our lives. I would recommend this book to any fan of Pushkin's works, but also to anyone new to Russian literature; this is a perfect introduction which also discusses the culture and history of Russia. A fantastic read.

Facinating, 18 Jul 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

A Well-Deserved Reputation - even in English, 15 Aug 2002
After reading about all the debates and problems with translation, I was a bit apprehensive about reading Eugene Onegin. But I was not disappointed in fact it exceeded my expectations. I don't read Russian, but if Pushkin's original was lyrical, then so is this translation, if the original was witty, likewise and if in Russian it is a book that elicits ecstatic praise as a landmark work and one of the peaks of Russian literature, then after reading Eugene Onegin this reader at least can but agree. Poetry can say so much more in a few lines than prose can and the characters here are beautifully drawn with elegant economy. The story is, of course, a sad one but one with which it is easy to identify. Another key element is Pushkin's humour which is genuinely amusing.
A work born, not made.

An outstanding translation of a supreme masterpiece, 04 Nov 2000
Nearly every Russian sees Pushkin as their country's greatest writer. This perception, however, is not shared by many foreigners. The problem, of course, is translation. Pushkin's verse is supremely elegant, witty and musical. Few, if any, great poets are harder to translate.

Charles Johnston's version is not at all bad, and conveys much of Pushkin's wit - though not his lyricism. James Falen's version (Oxford World's Classics) is better still. Stanley Mitchells's long-awaited version (just published by Penguin Classics (2008) is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. It fully deserves ten stars, but the amazon programme for some reason does not allow me to change the 3 stars I originally gave to a different translation in an earlier version of this review.

Very entertaining read, 29 Jan 2000
The verse and language are wonderful.The story left me a little cold(a rather boring love story)but well worth the read.If you like this one(and even if you don't),try Vikram Seth's "The Golden Gate".He sites Onegin as one of his major influences for his novel(also all in verse)and The Golden Gate is one of the most amazing books you'll ever read(check out the online reviews of that book if in doubt!).

Eugene Onegin; a prose translation, 14 Jul 2008
Roger Clarke has produced a most readable prose translation of this well known work by Puskin.
The helpful introduction attempts an answer to the controversial question 'Why translate into prose'? Instead of stumbling over a translation into poetry try this volume which I found got me much closer to the essence of Pushkin's masterpiece.
In addition there some very useful notes and a short biography of Pushkin plus a couple of maps. Four of Pushkin's prose works complete the volume which is very good value and can be highly recommended.

Russia's Shakespeare, 15 May 2008
Sadly I have no knowledge of the Russian language so am not able to comment on the translation into English per se. However, I thought the text flowed in a beautifully rhythmic pattern. The descriptive passages evoked scenes I had encountered in other books and films appertaining to Russia. In essence it is a story of unrequited love. This book was included in our study material for our literature class last year. We were very fortunate in that Roger Clarke spent one of the classes sharing his passion for this author and his efforts in bringing Pushkin to the English public at large. I enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would.

Fascinating, 07 Aug 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Marvelous, 02 Apr 2008
This is undoubtedly one (short but) marvelous exploration of love and jealousy. From the start I knew the story ended in tears but I could not prise myself from the grip of the narrator's clarity of voice and the poet's lyrical finesse. Yes, plot is non-existent but this is verse and not a novel and the reader must ingest the story as s/he rides the waves thrown by the meter's boisterous rhythm.

I was there with the central actors much like I had been where they were: keen-lite on an adoring lover but pining for some other who cared little if I existed. The poem is quick-witted, charming and clever. Normally I find poems much hard work to decipher but this reads like a story. Pushkin (Russia's greatest poet) deliciously serves up a timeless classic whilst discreetly slipping us tasteful hor'dourves from eighteenth century Russian glitterati. This was the book that established russian as a language fit for serious literature. I will never know how well this English translation does justice to the original but it's fine enough to show up how brilliant the original must have been.

Read it if you must pig out on fine literature.

A masterpiece of Russian literature, 10 Apr 2006
Eugene Onegin is a classic which can be enjoyed by readers of Russian literature, or those who are new to the genre completely. Pushkin's style is fluent and filled with character, and reflections on Russian literature and culture; a style which is uniquely his own. The story appeals to all readers as it addresses those most fundamental of human emotions; love and jealousy, and their effects upon our lives. I would recommend this book to any fan of Pushkin's works, but also to anyone new to Russian literature; this is a perfect introduction which also discusses the culture and history of Russia. A fantastic read.

Facinating, 18 Jul 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

A Well-Deserved Reputation - even in English, 15 Aug 2002
After reading about all the debates and problems with translation, I was a bit apprehensive about reading Eugene Onegin. But I was not disappointed in fact it exceeded my expectations. I don't read Russian, but if Pushkin's original was lyrical, then so is this translation, if the original was witty, likewise and if in Russian it is a book that elicits ecstatic praise as a landmark work and one of the peaks of Russian literature, then after reading Eugene Onegin this reader at least can but agree. Poetry can say so much more in a few lines than prose can and the characters here are beautifully drawn with elegant economy. The story is, of course, a sad one but one with which it is easy to identify. Another key element is Pushkin's humour which is genuinely amusing.
A work born, not made.

An outstanding translation of a supreme masterpiece, 04 Nov 2000
Nearly every Russian sees Pushkin as their country's greatest writer. This perception, however, is not shared by many foreigners. The problem, of course, is translation. Pushkin's verse is supremely elegant, witty and musical. Few, if any, great poets are harder to translate.

Charles Johnston's version is not at all bad, and conveys much of Pushkin's wit - though not his lyricism. James Falen's version (Oxford World's Classics) is better still. Stanley Mitchells's long-awaited version (just published by Penguin Classics (2008) is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. It fully deserves ten stars, but the amazon programme for some reason does not allow me to change the 3 stars I originally gave to a different translation in an earlier version of this review.

Very entertaining read, 29 Jan 2000
The verse and language are wonderful.The story left me a little cold(a rather boring love story)but well worth the read.If you like this one(and even if you don't),try Vikram Seth's "The Golden Gate".He sites Onegin as one of his major influences for his novel(also all in verse)and The Golden Gate is one of the most amazing books you'll ever read(check out the online reviews of that book if in doubt!).

Eugene Onegin; a prose translation, 14 Jul 2008
Roger Clarke has produced a most readable prose translation of this well known work by Puskin.
The helpful introduction attempts an answer to the controversial question 'Why translate into prose'? Instead of stumbling over a translation into poetry try this volume which I found got me much closer to the essence of Pushkin's masterpiece.
In addition there some very useful notes and a short biography of Pushkin plus a couple of maps. Four of Pushkin's prose works complete the volume which is very good value and can be highly recommended.

Russia's Shakespeare, 15 May 2008
Sadly I have no knowledge of the Russian language so am not able to comment on the translation into English per se. However, I thought the text flowed in a beautifully rhythmic pattern. The descriptive passages evoked scenes I had encountered in other books and films appertaining to Russia. In essence it is a story of unrequited love. This book was included in our study material for our literature class last year. We were very fortunate in that Roger Clarke spent one of the classes sharing his passion for this author and his efforts in bringing Pushkin to the English public at large. I enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would.

Fascinating, 07 Aug 2005
I read this book after watching a movie on the story. One thing for sure is that James Falen did a perfect job on the translation of EUGENE ONEGIN. Much of the Russian nature of glows in this English translation, brining out the humor, wittiness, emotions, grief, sadness and vitality of the original story, which mirrored the Russian society at the time Pushkin lived.

The lessons from the story are strong. Never fight against somebody who is not out to hurt you even if you feel he hurt your pride. That was the case between Eugene and his friend and neighbor Vladimir Lensky, which ends tragically over a nonexistent rivalry over Olga Larin: Another lesson is to appreciate the genuine and selfless love of others for, especially when we are lost in life. That was the case of Olga's sister Tatiana, whom Eugene initially rejects, only to fall in love with her later at a time when she had lost faith in him and had committed herself to a man she did not love but respected. Pushkin himself could be seen in the writing. The loss of what we did not know we loved is the overriding theme in this book. In this direction, there are many lessons to learn from Russia .We can see that in UNION MOUJIK, WAR AND PEACE.I enjoyed reading this book, so if you are undecided about reading it, pick it up and do yourself a favor by knowing about this great work of art.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Twist in the tale?!, 02 Jul 2003
Having seen these stories recommended elsewhere, I decided to buy this short collection as a taster of Pushkin's prose work; unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The leading story of this collection "The Queen of Spades" is celebrated as a classic example of the short story form, with a stinging twist in its tale (tail?) - but the ending is painfully obvious pages from the end. These stories simply did not grip me: the characters did not seem that well defined, and the writing is fussy and obtuse. I suppose I might have "missed the point", but I just couldn't recommend these stories - things don't improve with the others in this collection. I am a huge fan of short stories from a range of times and places, but I don't think these compare with some of the others I have read - the stories of Kate Chopin, for example, are infinitely more satisfying than these (Chopin is my favourite writer). The only real bonus about this collection is the price: if you're not sure whether Pushkin would be your cup of tea, this budget sampling is probably the best starting point from which to test the waters.

A worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer, 12 Feb 2001
Don't expect a collection of complete stories when opening this book. Instead, there is one very short story - the celebrated "Queen of Spades", one long story - the Captain's Daughter, and two uncompleted works.

Nonetheless, this is a worthy introduction to the work of this celebrated writer. Pushkin was deeply moved by Russian history and depicts vividly various strata of seventeenth and eighteenth century Russian society in this collection: from the Imperial Court to the landowners; from the swashbulkling military men to the peasantry. The writing - enhanced by a spirited translation - is accessible and Pushkin is particularly strong on conjuring up the right atmosphere.

"The Captain's Daughter" stands out as the masterpiece of this collection. Purporting to be edited memoirs, it is set in the heart of the Pugachev rebellion against Catherine the Great. It is a stirring tale of battles, betrayal and the twists of circumstance. How the hero gets out of various scrapes with the rebels is mind-boggling but very exciting. There is also real sympathy for Pugachev. It would have taken great courage for Pushkin to display this not many years later and it is little wonder that he was persecuted by the authorities.

For this and the justly famous "Queen of Spades", a reader new to this writer will not be disappointed.

Nabokov's Translation, 24 Sep 1999
This book is volume 1 of Nabokov's translation of Eugene Onegin. It contains Nabokov's introduction and the translation itself. (Volume 2 of the paperback edition contains Nabokov's detailed notes.) The two volume paperback edition is a condensed version of the original 4 volume Bollingen Foundation Edition omitting the Russian text, correllative lexicon and appendixes. Readers who enjoyed 'Pale Fire' should find much to interest them in in this translation and commentary. It also contains Nabokov's 'Eugene Onegin' stanzas on translation.

"What is translation? On a platter/ A poet's pale and glaring head,/ A parrot's screech, a monkey's chatter,/ and profanation of the dead."

Altogether fascinating material for Nabokov readers - the Bollingen edition tends to be available only in university libraries.

This is not a review, rather a question., 15 Jun 1999
This is not a review, rather a question. I sought out this edition of Eugene Onegin because of the Nabokov translation, but the first two reviews listed with it indicate that the translating was done by Hofstadter. Which is it?

This isn't a review, just a recommendation for amazon.com., 06 Jun 1999
Please improve your listing informatiion for this book. In some entries, you refer to Pushkin as the translator rather than the author! Also the reviews refer to several different translations and editions, which is very confusing. With the movie coming out soon, you must do better!

this is one of the greatest books ever, 20 Jun 1998
pushkin is a national poet of russia (im russian) this is his greatest project i loved this book

this book is about life love passion great book