Eugene Onegin - Enriched edition A Romance of Russian Life in Verse

Alexander Pushkin

Summary

Eugene Onegin, a quintessential work of Russian literature penned by Alexander Pushkin, is a novel in verse that intricately weaves together themes of unrequited love, existential despair, and the complexities of social mores. Through its rich tapestry of lyrical language and sharp characterizations, Pushkin captures the ennui of the Russian gentry in the early 19th century, illuminating a world marked by both romantic idealism and profound disillusionment. The episodic structure follows the life of the titular character, exploring his relationships, particularly with the passionate Tatyana, whose letter becomes a poignant symbol of lost opportunities and emotional depth. Pushkin's innovative blend of personal narrative and societal critique places this work at the heart of the Romantic movement, while also laying the groundwork for future Russian literature. Pushkin, often regarded as the father of modern Russian literature, drew upon his own experiences as a member of the aristocracy, navigating the cultural and political tumult of his time. His diverse heritage, along with his encounters with love, loss, and exile, deeply influenced the creation of Eugene Onegin. With a style that veers from lofty romanticism to biting realism, Pushkin reflects the inner turmoil of his characters, echoing the contradictions of his own life and contemporaneous society. Eugene Onegin is a masterful exploration of human emotions and societal expectations that continues to resonate with readers today. Its rich language and complex themes invite engagement and reflection, making it a must-read for those interested in understanding the essence of Russian literature. Pushkin's timeless insights into the human condition compel readers to contemplate their own experiences of love, regret, and identity, ensuring the novel's place as an enduring classic.

In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Available since: 12/09/2023.

Print length: 419 pages.

Other books that might interest you

The Age Of Innocence

Edith Wharton

The Age of Innocence is a 1920 novel by American author Edith Wharton. It was her twelfth novel and was initially serialized in 1920 in four parts, in the magazine Pictorial Review. Later that year, it was released as a book by D. Appleton & Company. It won the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making Wharton the first woman to win the prize. 
 
Though the committee had initially agreed to give the award to Sinclair Lewis for Main Street, the judges, in rejecting his book on political grounds, "established Wharton as the American 'First Lady of Letters'". The story is set in the 1870s, in upper-class, "Gilded Age" New York City. Wharton wrote the book in her 50s, after she was already established as a major author in high demand by publishers.

Show book

The Blue Lagoon

H. De Vere Stacpoole

The Blue Lagoon is the story of two cousins, Dicky and Emmeline Lestrange, stranded on a remote island with a beautiful lagoon. As children, they are cared for by Paddy Button, a portly sailor who drinks himself to death after only two and a half years in paradise. Frightened and confused by the man's gruesome corpse, the children flee to another part of Palm Tree Island. Over a period of five years, they grow up and eventually fall in love. Sex and birth are as mysterious to them as death, but they manage to copulate instinctively and conceive a child. The birth is especially fifteen-year-old Emmeline, alone in the jungle, loses consciousness and awakes to find a baby boy on the ground near her. Naming the boy Hannah (an example of Stacpoole's penchant for gender reversals), the Lestranges live in familial bliss until they are unexpectedly expelled from their tropical Eden.

Show book

Two Tales from Mark Twain - A...

Mark Twain

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American humorist, satirist, lecturer and writer. Twain is most noted for his novels, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which has since been called the Great American Novel, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He is also known for his quotations. During his lifetime, Twain became a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists and European royalty. Here are two of his best stories, A Dog's Tale and Cannibalism In The Cars.

Show book

The Nightingale & the Rose

Oscar Wilde

The Nightingale & The Rose is one of Oscar Wilde's most poignant short stories. A nightingale overhears a student lamenting that he hasn't a red rose to give to his true love, so she sets out to find a rose, but must sacrifice a great deal to get it. The Nightingale & The Rose was first published in The Happy Prince and Other Tales in 1888.

Show book

The True Story of a Vampire -...

Count Stanislaus Eric Stenbock

The bookshelves of British literature are incredible collections that have gathered together centuries of very talented authors.  From these Isles their fame spread and whilst among their number many are now forgotten or neglected their talents endure.  Among them is Walter Besant.

Show book

Escape of the American Frigate...

James Fenimore Cooper

James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789 - September 14, 1851) was an American writer of the first half of the 19th century. His historical romances depicting colonist and Indigenous characters from the 17th to the 19th centuries created a unique form of American literature. He lived much of his boyhood and the last fifteen years of life in Cooperstown, New York, which was founded by his father William Cooper on property that he owned. Cooper became a member of the Episcopal Church shortly before his death and contributed generously to it. He attended Yale University for three years, where he was a member of the Linonian Society.
THE ESCAPE OF THE AMERICAN FRIGATE ALLIANCE: We cannot detain the narrative, to detail the scenes which busy wonder, aided by the relation of divers marvellous feats, produced among the curious seamen who remained in the ship, and their more fortunate fellows who had returned glory from an expedition to the land.

Show book