Author Description
The Queen of Spades has long been acknowledged as one of the world's greatest short stories. In this classic literary representation of gambling, Alexander Pushkin explores the nature of obsession. Hints of the occult and gothic alternate with scenes of St Petersburg high-society in the story of the passionate Hermann's quest to master chance and make his fortune at the card-table. Underlying the taut plot is an ironical treatment of the romantic dreamer and social outcast. This volume contains three other major works of Pushkin's fiction, moving from the witty parodies of sentimentalism and high melodrama in The Tales of Belkin to an early experiment with recreating the past in Peter the Great's Blackamoor. It concludes with the novel-length masterpiece The Captain's Daughter, which combines historical fiction in the manner of Sir Walter Scott with the colour and devices of the Russian fairy-tale in a narrative of rebellion and romance. These new translations, as well as being meticulously faithful to the original, do full justice to the elegance and fluency of Pushkin's prose. The Introduction provides insightful readings of the stories and places them in their European literary context. A chronology of the Pugachov Uprising illuminates the events in The Captain's Daughter. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
A compulsive gambler risks his sanity and social standing to uncover a secret card-playing technique from an elderly countess. Driven by the desire to secure his future through fortune rather than labor, the protagonist Hermann navigates the rigid hierarchies of St. Petersburg society. He encounters a world where the boundaries between rational ambition and supernatural obsession blur, forcing him to confront the consequences of his singular fixation. The narrative employs a detached, ironical tone that highlights the tension between the protagonist's romantic delusions and the harsh reality of his circumstances.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Exploration of gambling as a metaphor for fate and social mobility
- Integration of gothic and occult elements within a realistic setting
- Use of witty parody to subvert sentimental literary tropes
- Examination of historical figures and events through fictionalized accounts
- Incorporation of Russian folklore motifs and narrative structures
- Shift between high-society satire and dramatic historical conflict
- Focus on the psychological disintegration of the social outcast
- Meticulous attention to the elegance and rhythmic flow of prose
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently note the precision and economy of Pushkin's prose, which remains influential in the development of Russian literary style. Discussion often centers on the author's ability to balance sharp social commentary with elements of the fantastic and the historical. Many highlight the contrast between the cynical, fast-paced nature of the shorter tales and the expansive, structured narrative of the longer works. The collection is widely regarded as a foundational text for understanding the evolution of 19th-century European fiction. Readers often appreciate the inclusion of scholarly apparatus, which provides necessary context for the historical events depicted in the longer narratives.
Page Count:
613
Publication Date:
2009-01-01
ISBN-10:
0192643517
ISBN-13:
9780192643513
Historical Fiction
Classic Literature
English
19th Century
English & College Success
Gothic
Russian
Short Stories