Eugene Onegin (Penguin Classics)

This is literally one of my favorite books. Imagine an entire novel written in rhyme in Russian and translated into rhyme in English by Stanley Mitchell. If that isn't enough to strike your fancy, the font on the pages is just the right size - not too big or small - and the text is presented esthetically with a lot of white space on each page encompassing each segment of the poem. I have my own copy and recently bought one as a gift for a friend who was grieving after a breakup.

This translation of Pushkin's great "novel in verse" offers the reader an excellent rendering of this work by the man acclaimed by Russians as key to their literature and to their modern cultural identity. I found Stanley Mitchell's introductory commentary, along with his footnotes following the poem, to be quite helpful for understanding the man and his work. I recommend this translation to anyone who seeks a modern, comprehensible interpretation of the "novel's" hero, a very enigmatic man in a mirror, unflattering and unpleasant for some readers, but, as testimony to the age in which he-and his author- is written to live in, endlessly fascinating and revelatory.

I am glad I read Pushkin and this translation seems to capture well what made him so beloved by THE great Russian authors. The critical commentary which explains Pushkin's life and how it tied into the poetic tale was a great help. As I read the narrative poem I could see how it inspired those that followed - themes, characters and even stories. For example, Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita developed upon Tatiana's nightmarish dream. Anna Karenina comes to mind as well. If you have a keen background in poetry forms Onegin has extra charms and benefits. The footnotes were great in and of themselves because they reminded me, or more accurately taught me, a lot about who were the popular authors, poets, and thinkers - as well as what they were promoting - at the end of the 18th Century and beginning of the 19th. I enjoyed the story too.

Just pure awesome! Thank you Pushkin for being so alive and bold and free... “But even friendship like our heroes' Exist no more; for we've outgrown All sentiments and deem men zeroes-- Except of course ourselves alone. We all take on Napoleon's features, And millions of our fellow creatures Are nothing more to us than tools... Since feelings are for freaks and fools. Eugene, of course, had keen perceptions And on the whole despised mankind, Yet wasn't, like so many, blind; And since each rule permits exceptions, He did respect a noble few, And, cold himself, gave warmth its due.”

Although I am a great admirer of Nabokov's novels, I found his translation of *Eugene Onegin* dull and pedantic in comparison with this witty translation by Stanley Mitchell. Mitchell's translation reads like a poem written by Pope and Jane Austen. What a delight!

Pushkin was a great poet. This is considered the best translation. Do not miss it.

Over the years I have struggled with direct translations of this classic. Despite the arresting story line I always found the contents dull and lifeless. It seemed that only a Russian speaker could really appreciate Pushkin. However, this translation into English verse sparkles and trips along with vivacity and humor, and for the first time I could see how closely related this poem is to Byron's Don Juan. This easy to traverse Kindle version comes with a good chronology and introduction, and excellent footnotes. I don't think anyone will be disappointed with this interpretation of the classic.

What an awesome story! No wonder Tchaikowsky grabbed onto this and made an opera from it! Not only is the story line mesmerizing, but this transliteration is tremendous, far better than another one I read. It is DEFINITELY worth the price. If you are interested in Russian literature at all, this is a MUST. Dr. Alan-Clarke Hudson

It’s really comfortable to read on the kindle

It was good but unexpectedly short in length. Pushkin's Magnum opus Eugene Onegin is unique in that it is probably the first Novel in Verse (Story but in the form of poetry) and its use of Onegin Stanza rhythm... Eugene's story of love, revenge and duel... Read it if you are into poetry.

Came damaged.

Just loved the poetic way of presenting a romantic story. Also Love the opera!

I ordered Eugene Onegin of Pushkin after recently seeing the film on streaming, starring Ralph Fiennes and Liv Tyler. I was intrigued by the story already and saw a great opportunity to get to know Pushkin directly, though I wasn’t sure if translating a novel in verse from Russian into English would work. But you have to try it out to know. I haven’t read Pushkin before, nor know any Russian. However, the translation by Stanley Mitchell clicked with me from the first lines. It’s modern enough for elegant and unencumbered reading, and the poetry works smoothly. The meter ripples on like a bubbling Russian streamlet, so enjoyable to read that you never want to put it down. I will not attempt to recap the story or go into details of style and construct. Enough to say: I thoroughly enjoyed the very human story, the witty and brilliant remarks, the versatile tone, the humor, the poetry, as well as some really tear-inducing passages that made this a bitter-sweet read. It’s amazing how short it was in terms of pages, but the richness felt like a tome 3 times thicker if it had been written as a prose novel. Really great. Can’t wait to read more Pushkin now. This was the perfect first dip.