Eugene Onegin (Penguin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Great Russian Poetry
Review: Eugene Onegin is a masterpiece. It is supposedly the precursor to the great 19th century Russian novels, and this is plain to see. Onegin prefigures the 'superfluous man'. He does not live for an idea, like some of Dostoyevsky's characters, nor does he live content with an idea, like some of Tolstoy's. Onegin simply exists, and it gives him a perspective on life which is overly rationalistic: one sees it in his rejection of a certain lover's letter, his toying with others, and in the cold and calm manner in which he raises his gun during the duel. But the story soon snaps him out of it, but only when it is too late. My attitude to him was largely ambivalent, and I warmed more to Lensky. (Actually, the narrator is an interesting character in himself). The poem skips along beautifully and the rhyme is quite seductive. Lovers of poetry and of Russian literature should enjoy this immensely.

Rating:
Summary: Quite a good translation of a supreme masterpiece
Review: 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. And Stanley Mitchells's version of the first chapter, published in the journal "Modern Poetry in Translation" vol 11, is truly outstanding. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the original - something I would never have believed possible. This journal is well worth seeking out in libraries!

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: When Russians ask you who your favorite poet is they will often add a "Besides Pushkin, of course." Pushkin has an iconic status in Russia that is maybe unparalleled in the English speaking world. Shakespeare probably comes the closest. Eugene Onegin is a masterpiece and the genius of it's creator is apparent. It is alwasy difficult, however, to read poetry in translation. Others have spoken of the translation difficulties already. As a non-Russian speaker, I won't comment on them except to say that, at some points, the difficulties encountered in translation are obvious and frustrating. Professors have told me, however, that this translation is about as good as they come. Like any other work of genius, Eugen Onegin needs a careful reading. Each layer, and there are many, proves more rewarding then the next. Pushkin is often funny, passionate and has a pretty keen sense of satire. I would advise everybody to read this. Pushkin is doubly important as background to Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy. He began the Russian literary tradition.