A short yet fascinating account of Russia's most celebrated writer.
In Robert Chandler's exquisite biography, literary giant Alexander Pushkin, lauded as the Russian Shakespeare, is examined as writer, lover and public figure. Chandler explores his relationship to politics and provides a fascinating glimpse of the turbulent history Pushkin lived through. The book acts as a succinct guide to anybody trying to understand Russia's most celebrated literary figure and also illuminates the wider historical and political context of early nineteenth-century Russia.
"Chandler, a superb translator from the Russian, rises to the challenge as he celebrates the writing while dodging the 'crushing weight of reverence.'" - Independent
"This superb, short... book is a masterwork... a digestible, readable biography." - Russian Life Magazine
"[...An] engaging and enjoyable "brief life" of Russia's greatest, most quintessential poet." - Times Literary Supplement
"I can’t recommend this excellent little book enough." — Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
"I was delighted to have the chance to read and review this book … I would recommend this to anyone who wants a brief introduction to Pushkin." - Nudge
Robert Chandler is an acclaimed translator of Russian literature. He has won the ASTSEEL prize for his translation of Hamid Ismailov's The Railway and has been shortlisted for a number of other awards including the Rossica Translation Prize and the PEN Translation award. For Pushkin Press, he has translated a number of works by Teffi, including her collection of short stories Subtly Worded and her memoir Memories - From Moscow to the Black Sea. He also teaches part time at Queen Mary College and has published poems in the TLS and Poetry Review.
A short yet fascinating account of Russia's most celebrated writer.
In Robert Chandler's exquisite biography, literary giant Alexander Pushkin, lauded as the Russian Shakespeare, is examined as writer, lover and public figure. Chandler explores his relationship to politics and provides a fascinating glimpse of the turbulent history Pushkin lived through. The book acts as a succinct guide to anybody trying to understand Russia's most celebrated literary figure and also illuminates the wider historical and political context of early nineteenth-century Russia.
Reviews
"Chandler, a superb translator from the Russian, rises to the challenge as he celebrates the writing while dodging the 'crushing weight of reverence.'" - Independent
"This superb, short... book is a masterwork... a digestible, readable biography." - Russian Life Magazine
"[...An] engaging and enjoyable "brief life" of Russia's greatest, most quintessential poet." - Times Literary Supplement
"I can’t recommend this excellent little book enough." — Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
"I was delighted to have the chance to read and review this book … I would recommend this to anyone who wants a brief introduction to Pushkin." - Nudge
Author
Robert Chandler is an acclaimed translator of Russian literature. He has won the ASTSEEL prize for his translation of Hamid Ismailov's The Railway and has been shortlisted for a number of other awards including the Rossica Translation Prize and the PEN Translation award. For Pushkin Press, he has translated a number of works by Teffi, including her collection of short stories Subtly Worded and her memoir Memories - From Moscow to the Black Sea. He also teaches part time at Queen Mary College and has published poems in the TLS and Poetry Review.
