“Back then, one could settle a problem with duels.” Well said. I heard from a friend that Pushkin gave rise to Russian Literature as we know it today, that Tolstoy said a little description of Pushkin’s about a table and a person and a letter made him want to write Anna Karenina...
Yes, along with Gogol I think he's considered a "founding father" of Russian literature. 🙂 It's interesting because I don't see a big parallel between Pushkin's style and Dostoevsky's. However, the dramatic, dreamlike scenes are something they both have in common and I'd say is fairly unique to the Russian writers (at least in the way they present it).
Thank you for the review. It always almost breaks my heart when I realize that so many people who love this story cannot enjoy the original. There is a different feel to the story and the writing style of Pushkin in Russian. However, I really enjoyed the Falen's translation and I would recommend the audiobook version narrated by Stephen Fry. It is free by the way. :)
Thanks for the review! I would recommend Nabokov’s translation, which is in 4 volumes including his notes and comments. It’s in prose, but very accurate. By the way his commentary is priceless itself. I think it can provide a better understanding why EO is a central book in Russian culture and why Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy were dying of envy (in a good way).
Thanks for the great review. I've only just finished this, after reading it on the recommendation of a friend. It absolutely blew me away. It's so lively and the poetry fizzes off the page. It was also surprisingly funny and self aware. I can see why it's one of your favourites, it's definitely one of mine! Great review, and I really appreciate you taking the time to give a rundown of the different translations. I read the Johnston one and went in 'cold', so didn't have anything to compare it to. I'll definitely check out some of the other translations too :)
I loved the 1999 movie. I feel that it focused and captured the emotions of the book more than anything else. We must remember that poetry is about emotions not just literature.
I think I've heard the name of this one before, though I didn't know anything about the plot, characters, or style -- certainly didn't know it was in verse!
Hehe, I realized while editing I didn't even call that out - yes it's all poetry! 🙂 with the exception of one prose translation (also by Roger Clarke IIRC).
I found about this book in High-school where we studied about it. Funny how we went in depth about this one but didn't even bother mentioning Lermontov's A hero of our time. In either case Johnston was my primary translation I read and I enjoyed it. I've read Falen under your recommendation well over a year ago now and I can see where you're coming from. The rhymes were far smoother and the way he plays with English is just a pleasure to read. After that I tried reading a Slovenian translation, but that thing was so atrocious I couldn't finish it. I've also found the original text on the Internet and while I can't really speak Russian, I can still read it. The flow of words is completely different as you would expect and rhymes themselves aren't as clean, though it could just be me failing pronunciation. Have you tried reading more of Russian romanticism? Has it sprung any of the same emotions Onegin has? I love the connection you've made Austen's work because it does have that drama element seeped into it, I just never figured to compare the two. There was a work by Mark Strand called Dark harbour which reminded me of Onegin, because the character there was also running away from a life of wine and women. It then came more clear that it's better to link that poem with Dante, but thought I'd mention it anyway.
That is really cool you can read Russian classics in the originals. I do imagine it is quite different (better) than the translations! So far, most of my Romanticism reading has been German and American. As far as Russian goes, I have a long ways to go. :) I did read Fathers and Sons, which isn't Romantic per se but does cover some of those themes through the character of Pavel. Will look up Dark Harbor, thanks for the rec! One of my goals for this year is to read more poetry actually.
@@marianhreads I think prose can be translated really well from any language to any other. When it comes to poetry on the other hand, I'm rather reserved. Too much is lost in translation and the beauty of the original language is gone (not to say the beauty of the language it's in isn't there however) Furthermore Russian romanticism actually 'started' with translations done by Vasily Zhukovsky of other poets. That's why I'm on a quest to learn ancient greek only to read Homer. I think it's an honorable goal to read more poetry, since I feel like in it's being neglected in our times. A great thing about poetry is you can try various poets with a few of their works to see if you like their style. In hope of you discovering the charm, I'll list here a few more poets I enjoyed: Aleardo Aleardi John Clare Konstantin Batyushkov France Prešeren (greatest Slovenian poet, selfish patriotic plug in) Karel Hynek Mácha Giacomo Leopardi Juan Gelman I tried to pick poets that aren't that well known outside of their country of origin. Since I only read original texts I don't know if they even have translations, let alone a physical copy. If they don't, I do apologise but I hope you find something nice nonetheless. (PS: In the spirit of our friend Alex, I'm also recommending Vasko Popa)
Hi, Marian! My name is Alexa, I am from Brazil. I am currently reading Eugene Onegin in portuguese and english (the oxford edition you recommended), and I must say, the versions are quite different. The brazilian version is harder for me to read, which is kinda weird, considering portuguese is my first language. This is due to the fact that the brazilians translators use more difficult and "fancy" words, whilst the english version is more accessible. The english one provides a more smooth, melodic reading (since you don´t stop on each verse to go look up in the dictionary). If I would make a comparison, when you read it in english, you feel like a character from Dead Poets Society, and when you read it in portuguese, you feel like a snob college professor hahaha. Anyway, we must, someday, read it in russian. I loved your video, and your voice is so beautiful! Best regards :)
Hi Alexa, thanks for your kind feedback and nice to meet you! :) That's very interesting about the Portuguese. It is amazing how different translations can be. I am currently reading another English version by Anthony Briggs, and he uses a more edgy vocabulary than Falen or Mitchell. Briggs's version is more startling or "arresting," but I doubt it's very true to the equivalent, early-19th century Russian vocabulary. I might do a follow-up video review after I've finished it...
@@marianhreads it is! I'm trying to find a good one to watch with my musical theater friends, i think i've only seen the Glyndebourne 94 on this site
It is one of my favourite novels and its a shame that most outside of Russia do not really know of it. Tatyana is one of my favourite heroines, and a huge inspiration, especially towards the end. :) I must disagree with you on your choice of the cast of that opera - the cast is pretty atrocious. There are better recordings out there of the opera, and I suggest you seek them out. :)
I'm not sure if Don Juan was a direct influence, but Byron as a writer certainly was. :) There is one section that mentions Onegin has a portrait of Byron on his wall.
Your review is brilliant! I didn't find anything such accurate and beautiful in english as your video is. Ralph Fiennes movie one of the weakest adaptations / productions in my taste. He didn't get novel correct. His characters definitely from another literary work. His Lensky totally stupid. He was young, naive and passionate , yeah, but not an idiot. I highly recommend to watch the 1958 russian movie-opera. The characters in this movie looks as accurately as possible. Unless, perhaps, Olga. In the movie, she is more serious and thoughtful. In the book she's more flat.
Personally, I feel Tatyana goes through far more character growth than Eugene. Eugene remains fairly selfish till the end of the book and also short-sighted, focused on himself primarily. Tatyana has to endure the consequences of her decisions (and society's reactions to them), the feelings and desires of her family, and the realities of coming of age as a woman in the 19th century.
@@marianhreads Well, she definitely grows as a character, but to say that Eugene doesn’t is a stretch of a time. Eugene is a depressed characters that’s trying to navigate his life trough a fog of indifference. He feels nothing and not responding to Tatyana’s feelings when she wrote him was the least selfish thing he could possibly do that indicates the character grows. And in the end Eugene’s letter shows us that he can finally feel something, he is free from his melancholy and even though he’s in pain now there is a hope for him cause his soul is healed and now he will be able to feel both sadness and happiness. As for Tatiana she stays the same, idealistic young woman, she just grows stronger and smarter
@@jennykhenven3058 I feel like we both read the book a bit differently! But that's one thing I appreciate about classics...so many ways to interpret them. :)
I am going to start my first read tomorrow morning! Very excited!
“Back then, one could settle a problem with duels.” Well said. I heard from a friend that Pushkin gave rise to Russian Literature as we know it today, that Tolstoy said a little description of Pushkin’s about a table and a person and a letter made him want to write Anna Karenina...
Yes, along with Gogol I think he's considered a "founding father" of Russian literature. 🙂 It's interesting because I don't see a big parallel between Pushkin's style and Dostoevsky's. However, the dramatic, dreamlike scenes are something they both have in common and I'd say is fairly unique to the Russian writers (at least in the way they present it).
Thank you for the review.
It always almost breaks my heart when I realize that so many people who love this story cannot enjoy the original. There is a different feel to the story and the writing style of Pushkin in Russian.
However, I really enjoyed the Falen's translation and I would recommend the audiobook version narrated by Stephen Fry. It is free by the way. :)
Yes, that makes sense. It seems like poetry suffers the most from translation. I haven't given up on the goal of learning Russian in the future. :)
Thanks for the review! I would recommend Nabokov’s translation, which is in 4 volumes including his notes and comments. It’s in prose, but very accurate. By the way his commentary is priceless itself. I think it can provide a better understanding why EO is a central book in Russian culture and why Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy were dying of envy (in a good way).
It's on my list!
Thanks for the great review. I've only just finished this, after reading it on the recommendation of a friend. It absolutely blew me away. It's so lively and the poetry fizzes off the page. It was also surprisingly funny and self aware. I can see why it's one of your favourites, it's definitely one of mine!
Great review, and I really appreciate you taking the time to give a rundown of the different translations. I read the Johnston one and went in 'cold', so didn't have anything to compare it to. I'll definitely check out some of the other translations too :)
Hey, that's great to hear! I love hearing when others discover Onegin :D
This was a brilliant video! I mean just ... goodness. You have a beautifully measured pace and excellent content. I like this a lot.😃❤🎩
Thanks Tristan, glad you enjoyed it!
I loved the 1999 movie. I feel that it focused and captured the emotions of the book more than anything else. We must remember that poetry is about emotions not just literature.
I haven't read the book yet, but the opera based on the book is beautiful.
I think I've heard the name of this one before, though I didn't know anything about the plot, characters, or style -- certainly didn't know it was in verse!
Hehe, I realized while editing I didn't even call that out - yes it's all poetry! 🙂 with the exception of one prose translation (also by Roger Clarke IIRC).
I found about this book in High-school where we studied about it. Funny how we went in depth about this one but didn't even bother mentioning Lermontov's A hero of our time.
In either case Johnston was my primary translation I read and I enjoyed it. I've read Falen under your recommendation well over a year ago now and I can see where you're coming from. The rhymes were far smoother and the way he plays with English is just a pleasure to read. After that I tried reading a Slovenian translation, but that thing was so atrocious I couldn't finish it.
I've also found the original text on the Internet and while I can't really speak Russian, I can still read it. The flow of words is completely different as you would expect and rhymes themselves aren't as clean, though it could just be me failing pronunciation.
Have you tried reading more of Russian romanticism? Has it sprung any of the same emotions Onegin has?
I love the connection you've made Austen's work because it does have that drama element seeped into it, I just never figured to compare the two.
There was a work by Mark Strand called Dark harbour which reminded me of Onegin, because the character there was also running away from a life of wine and women. It then came more clear that it's better to link that poem with Dante, but thought I'd mention it anyway.
That is really cool you can read Russian classics in the originals. I do imagine it is quite different (better) than the translations!
So far, most of my Romanticism reading has been German and American. As far as Russian goes, I have a long ways to go. :) I did read Fathers and Sons, which isn't Romantic per se but does cover some of those themes through the character of Pavel.
Will look up Dark Harbor, thanks for the rec! One of my goals for this year is to read more poetry actually.
@@marianhreads I think prose can be translated really well from any language to any other. When it comes to poetry on the other hand, I'm rather reserved. Too much is lost in translation and the beauty of the original language is gone (not to say the beauty of the language it's in isn't there however)
Furthermore Russian romanticism actually 'started' with translations done by Vasily Zhukovsky of other poets.
That's why I'm on a quest to learn ancient greek only to read Homer.
I think it's an honorable goal to read more poetry, since I feel like in it's being neglected in our times.
A great thing about poetry is you can try various poets with a few of their works to see if you like their style.
In hope of you discovering the charm, I'll list here a few more poets I enjoyed:
Aleardo Aleardi
John Clare
Konstantin Batyushkov
France Prešeren (greatest Slovenian poet, selfish patriotic plug in)
Karel Hynek Mácha
Giacomo Leopardi
Juan Gelman
I tried to pick poets that aren't that well known outside of their country of origin. Since I only read original texts I don't know if they even have translations, let alone a physical copy. If they don't, I do apologise but I hope you find something nice nonetheless.
(PS: In the spirit of our friend Alex, I'm also recommending Vasko Popa)
@@driftwood1942 Fantastic, thank you for the list!! And good luck on learning Greek (another language I'd like to learn at some point 🙂)
@ALEXSTANDOTCOM Apparently we have slo-mo telepathic abilities 😁 good to see ya Alex!! I'm going to look up that song ...
Hi, Marian! My name is Alexa, I am from Brazil. I am currently reading Eugene Onegin in portuguese and english (the oxford edition you recommended), and I must say, the versions are quite different. The brazilian version is harder for me to read, which is kinda weird, considering portuguese is my first language. This is due to the fact that the brazilians translators use more difficult and "fancy" words, whilst the english version is more accessible. The english one provides a more smooth, melodic reading (since you don´t stop on each verse to go look up in the dictionary). If I would make a comparison, when you read it in english, you feel like a character from Dead Poets Society, and when you read it in portuguese, you feel like a snob college professor hahaha. Anyway, we must, someday, read it in russian. I loved your video, and your voice is so beautiful! Best regards :)
Hi Alexa, thanks for your kind feedback and nice to meet you! :) That's very interesting about the Portuguese. It is amazing how different translations can be. I am currently reading another English version by Anthony Briggs, and he uses a more edgy vocabulary than Falen or Mitchell. Briggs's version is more startling or "arresting," but I doubt it's very true to the equivalent, early-19th century Russian vocabulary. I might do a follow-up video review after I've finished it...
Oi Alexa, sou brasileira também, qual é a versão que você leu em português?
@@arianecasanova1822 Oi, Ariane!! Eu li a versão da editora Ateliê, com tradução da Elena Vassina e do Alipio Neto. :)
@@alexareichmann7165 Obrigada!
im considering buying the royal opera house release with Pavol Breslik, it looks very authentic to the time period
Is that the one with Keenlyside? Some people had complaints about the choreography, but I've yet to watch it personally.
@@marianhreads it is! I'm trying to find a good one to watch with my musical theater friends, i think i've only seen the Glyndebourne 94 on this site
It is one of my favourite novels and its a shame that most outside of Russia do not really know of it. Tatyana is one of my favourite heroines, and a huge inspiration, especially towards the end. :) I must disagree with you on your choice of the cast of that opera - the cast is pretty atrocious. There are better recordings out there of the opera, and I suggest you seek them out. :)
I'll admit I'm more of an opera enthusiast than expert! ;) What recording would you recommend?
is it true that Eugene Oengin was influenced by Lord Byron's Don Juan?
I'm not sure if Don Juan was a direct influence, but Byron as a writer certainly was. :) There is one section that mentions Onegin has a portrait of Byron on his wall.
@@marianhreads oh nice thanks for answering my question
Your review is brilliant! I didn't find anything such accurate and beautiful in english as your video is.
Ralph Fiennes movie one of the weakest adaptations / productions in my taste. He didn't get novel correct. His characters definitely from another literary work. His Lensky totally stupid. He was young, naive and passionate , yeah, but not an idiot.
I highly recommend to watch the 1958 russian movie-opera. The characters in this movie looks as accurately as possible. Unless, perhaps, Olga. In the movie, she is more serious and thoughtful. In the book she's more flat.
Thank you, Catherine! Onegin is such a great novel, and I'm trying to introduce it to more readers. :) I will check out the 1958 movie opera!
@@marianhreads I love it too! And I hope you enjoy the movie :)
I just started this book, it's hard.
The opening is a bit rambly, it should get a little easier after the first chapter or two :)
rip to everyone who cant read this in russian
I love your collections.. I love eugene Onegin too 😍
thank you! So glad to meet other fans of this book ^_^
Why do you think it’s about Tatiana? It’s more about Eugene
Personally, I feel Tatyana goes through far more character growth than Eugene. Eugene remains fairly selfish till the end of the book and also short-sighted, focused on himself primarily. Tatyana has to endure the consequences of her decisions (and society's reactions to them), the feelings and desires of her family, and the realities of coming of age as a woman in the 19th century.
@@marianhreads Well, she definitely grows as a character, but to say that Eugene doesn’t is a stretch of a time. Eugene is a depressed characters that’s trying to navigate his life trough a fog of indifference. He feels nothing and not responding to Tatyana’s feelings when she wrote him was the least selfish thing he could possibly do that indicates the character grows. And in the end Eugene’s letter shows us that he can finally feel something, he is free from his melancholy and even though he’s in pain now there is a hope for him cause his soul is healed and now he will be able to feel both sadness and happiness. As for Tatiana she stays the same, idealistic young woman, she just grows stronger and smarter
@@jennykhenven3058 I feel like we both read the book a bit differently! But that's one thing I appreciate about classics...so many ways to interpret them. :)
@@marianhreads yes, of course. It could also be the translation.
Pechorin is better anyway😘