joaniemaloney's review against another edition
4.0
'Now and again in these parts you come across people so remarkable that, no matter how much time has passed since you met them, it is impossible to recall them without your heart trembling. One such person was Katerina Lvovna Izmailova, a merchant's wife who was once the centre of a drama so terrible that our local gentry, taking their cue from someone's light-hearted quip, took to calling her 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.''
what a dark little tale of desire and murder. very pleased to have found this because of the 2017 film adaptation, which is worth checking out on all its own, though it's extra pleasurable to compare and contrast the two. a part of me undeniably wishes this was longer but it's so effective in its brevity as it is that I couldn't bear to add more to it.
quietly_killing_thyme's review against another edition
4.0
Planning to read more Leskov in the future
paholau's review against another edition
5.0
¡Joder con los rusos!
Solo he leído dos cosas de autores rusos: la primera es una compilación de cuentos rusos (que amo con locura y pasión) y luego este cuento, que se va volando a uno de mis libros favoritos del año.
Solo he leído dos cosas de autores rusos: la primera es una compilación de cuentos rusos (que amo con locura y pasión) y luego este cuento, que se va volando a uno de mis libros favoritos del año.
5elementknitr's review against another edition
3.0
I watched this movie a coupla weeks ago. It's very harsh, very dark.
Somewhere in the credits, it mentions the movie is based on this novella, so I got it from the library.
I'd like to say a big "fuck you very much" to the editor who put the translator's commentary as an "introduction". The translator gives three MAJOR spoilers, and the whole novella is only 66 pages long. I'm talking lines pulled directly from the story, in quotes, telling the most significant parts of the book, including the fate of the main character. What. The. Fuck.
Having seen the movie, I am more irritated than devastated by this fact. Anyone reading this book for the first time will definitely want to skip the introduction.
The movie was an accurate and beautifully done adaptation of the book. The fate of the main character is different from the book. The child in the book is presented in a very different light, as are the husband and his father, but the feel and salient points are all there.
Somewhere in the credits, it mentions the movie is based on this novella, so I got it from the library.
I'd like to say a big "fuck you very much" to the editor who put the translator's commentary as an "introduction". The translator gives three MAJOR spoilers, and the whole novella is only 66 pages long. I'm talking lines pulled directly from the story, in quotes, telling the most significant parts of the book, including the fate of the main character. What. The. Fuck.
Having seen the movie, I am more irritated than devastated by this fact. Anyone reading this book for the first time will definitely want to skip the introduction.
The movie was an accurate and beautifully done adaptation of the book. The fate of the main character is different from the book. The child in the book is presented in a very different light, as are the husband and his father, but the feel and salient points are all there.
aliaareadstoo's review against another edition
4.0
I'm in awe! This is such an immensely engaging...and a dark one for a love story!
suchasuckerforbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
augxsh's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
impressionblend's review against another edition
5.0
Even better than I remember it to be! This story is packed with passion and crime, featuring the unforgettable character of Katerina. Brutal, fascinating, and simply excellent.
*read in Russian
*read in Russian