Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Please join us as we read A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov .

In this case, the writer's life imitates art-or is the novel inspired by his life?

I just started. Was a bit confused with the narrative that I had to reread the first chapter. Then I realized that the narrator was telling a story of the past. :)

I'm glad you figured that out!
I have read the book twice in the past so I remember the ending, but not the plot twists and turns.

I started today am done with about 1/3 of the book, the first two segments. I am reading the earlier Penguin Paul Foote translation.
The writing is descriptive and smooth and I find the characters and setting quite interesting. Surprisingly, it reminds me of Joseph Conrad's Malay novels; with the outpost setting in a foreign culture (Moslem Caucasus area) and a 'hero' with unusual characteristics and motivations that we get to know from the view point of other people, including the narrator.
I am very pleased and impressed with it so far.

That's good to hear, Brian.

I did have to look up the word "bullocks" used in my translation for what is pulling the narrator's cart on page one. My mind always goes to the term used in the Sex Pistols "Never Mind the Bollocks." Merriam Webster says 'bollocks' is a vulgar term for either "testicles" or "nonsense," But with a 'u' rather than an 'o', Merriam-Webster defines 'bullocks' as: "a young bull, or a castrated bull; a steer." So they are related terms.

Brian wrote: "I did have to look up the word "bullocks" used in my translation for what is pulling the narrator's cart on page one. My mind always goes to the term used in the Sex Pistols "Never Mind the Bollock..."

The Sex Pistols have a lot to answer for.

I will follow this discussion with enthusiasm, because I loathed this book when I read it in 2015. A lot of people love it, though.

I think I've strated this book with the wrong set of mind. I'm already prejudiced against the hero, which isn't a good sign. I've stopped for now and planning to restart in a day or two, and read more slow so I could understand the story and the character better.

Christine PNW wrote: "I will follow this discussion with enthusiasm, because I loathed this book when I read it in 2015. A lot of people love it, though."

I too don't like it at present. Hope my second attempt will bring better results. :)

I find that I have appreciated a book more when reading it with a group-sometimes!
Does the title explain why some of you didn't like the book?
Were there any heroes at that time?

Rosemarie wrote: "I find that I have appreciated a book more when reading it with a group-sometimes!
Does the title explain why some of you didn't like the book?
Were there any heroes at that time?"

There were heroes at all times in history. And villains also.

Rosemarie wrote: "I find that I have appreciated a book more when reading it with a group-sometimes!
Does the title explain why some of you didn't like the book?
Were there any heroes at that time?"

Rosemarie, you can read my review here which goes into why I didn't like it. Warning, though - it contains some fairly crass language.

That is quite a review!
There are times when I have been the only person that didn't like a book that everyone raved about, so I see where you're coming from.

I didn't have any strong feelings either way about the book-but did find the settin unusual. It really gives an idea of just how big and diverse Russia is.

Rosemarie wrote: "It really gives an idea of just how big and diverse Russia is..."

Have you read Dr. Zhivago?

I did read Doctor Zhivago, and also And Quiet Flows the Don as well, both books will be part of Reading the Russians in 2021.

I have finished the book and enjoyed it very much. I liked it a bit more than Christine did. Books about unlikeable people can be difficult to enjoy, especially when you perceive attempts to add depth to people who are just simply bad.
Maybe its because I've just read two Zola novels, as I did find Pechorin more interesting and complex and less evil than some of the bad characters I encounter in Zola's world. Perhaps I'm finally ready to tackle Les Liaisons dangereuses. But I'm still not ready to read anything by Bret Easton Ellis or James Franco.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Good review, and I'm glad you liked the book, Brian. I remember enjoying the book, but didn't really think about in depth.
I read Les Liaisons Dangereuses in the early 70s and still feel disgust at the behaviour of the two manipulative main characters. The author was certainly successful in creating memorable characters.

Brian wrote: "I have finished the book and enjoyed it very much. I liked it a bit more than Christine did. Books about unlikeable people can be difficult to enjoy, especially when you perceive attempts to add de..."

Very nice review - I'm glad you enjoyed it more than I did!

Christine PNW wrote: " I'm glad you enjoyed it more than I did!"

That was easy; enjoying it less than you did would be the difficult task!
Seriously, though, I appreciated your review because, not only was it entertaining and insightful, it helped focus my ideas on why I enjoyed the novel.

I had to read excerpts of this in Russian class in undergrad. It's interesting reading the full thing later. I quickly picked up that (view spoiler)[the title is sardonic (hide spoiler)].

Here is a coincidence of sorts-I am currently reading a non-fiction account of an Italian journalist's journey through the former central Asian socialist republics.
He mentions A Hero of Our Time in the first paragraph.

I agree with your assessment, Eugene.

I started again and reread from the beginning to the end of book 2. I was right in deciding to take a break. Wasn't in the proper mood for it.

I don't like Pechorin. My earlier dislike is still strong. But at least, I think I can come to terms with my dislike enough to enjoy the book.

This sounds like a sort of a tragic story, but so far I like it. I like the atmosphere he creates with beautiful landscapes and I also like the writing style.

I'm glad it's going better this time, Piyangie.

I feel like I'm reading several different stories, all connected by one protagonist.

I've finished reading and liked it more than I thought possible. Pechorin really grated on my nerves, but I enjoyed Lermontov's writing very much.

My review is here and it expresses more clearly my overall thoughts on the book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I enjoyed reading your review, Piyangie.

Rosemarie wrote: "I enjoyed reading your review, Piyangie."

Thank you, Rosemarie.

Piyangie wrote: "My review is here and it expresses more clearly ..."

Good review of the book Piyangie!
I like how you could just punch him. I feel like that sometimes too with different characters.

Lesle wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "My review is here and it expresses more clearly ..."

Good review of the book Piyangie!
I like how you could just punch him. I feel like that sometimes too with different characters."

Thank you, Lesle. I know the feeling. I've met quite a few of them this year! :)

Thank you for your review, Piyangie.

I can enjoy books with punchable protagonists. In fact, I greatly enjoyed Rabbit, Run.

Eugene wrote: "Thank you for your review, Piyangie.

I can enjoy books with punchable protagonists. In fact, I greatly enjoyed Rabbit, Run."

You are welcome, Eugene! And thank you for reading. I too like punchable protagonists sometimes, but Pechorin was a little too much! :)

I read all the Updike books as a boy.

My first time with this author. I could not get into the novel, but I like his poems. As I cannot read Russian, I read them in translation, including one by Nabokov!

It is interesting that he has a Scottish ancestor, a Learmonth, which explains his poem about Ossian.

Thanks for letting us know about his poetry, Bernard. At least you made a beginning with the book.
I have abandoned books before too.

I find I am abandoning more and more. If I start with short stories and poems too, I am doomed.

I would like to know more about Lermontov's poetry. I like his writing. Can anyone recommend me some?

Bernard wrote: "I read all the Updike books as a boy."

The fourth Rabbit novel, Rabbit at Rest, is from 1991 and the 5th story, the novella from Licks of Love: Short Stories and a Sequel, "Rabbit Remembered" is from 2001. I bet you were a very big boy by then.

Brian wrote: "Bernard wrote: "I read all the Updike books as a boy."

The fourth Rabbit novel, Rabbit at Rest, is from 1991 and the 5th story, the novella from [book:Licks of Love: Short Stories and..."

Ha ha! I stand corrected. I meant the books which were extant at that time. Should I read the rest?

Piyangie wrote: "I would like to know more about Lermontov's poetry. I like his writing. Can anyone recommend me some?"

Herewith ...

https://ruverses.com/mikhail-lermontov/

Bernard wrote: "I meant the books which were extant at that time. Should I read the rest?"

Yes. I rated them all 4 stars except for the first book Rabbit, Run, which I rated 3 stars. I thought both Updike and Rabbit Angstrom became better with age. But maybe it was just because I was not a young man either.

Then I will investigate. Actually I now recall I was legally an adult, just, when I read them.

Bernard wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "I would like to know more about Lermontov's poetry. I like his writing. Can anyone recommend me some?"

Herewith ...

https://ruverses.com/mikhail-lermontov/"

Thank you, Bernard.