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breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ljm57's review against another edition
4.0
Gorky’s book was published in 1906 and is based on a mass anti-capitalist protest held in Russia in 1902. Protestors were brutally dispersed and at the resultant trial, six of the organisers were sentenced to life in exile. The title derives from the mother of the main political dissident in the book. As the story unfolds, she slowly awakens from a life of fear, drudgery and ignorance to appreciate what it is these young radicals are rallying against. Very well written.
blueyorkie's review against another edition
3.0
Some time ago, this book was in my library. So naturally, I was delighted to read it, expecting to be in the same lineage as the Tolstoys and Dostoevsky. However, I did not inquire more than that about its author. So, before embarking on hasty and risky comparisons, let's say a few words about history.
In a working-class village in Russia in the early twentieth century, life was hard and regulated by the factory; it "engulfed the day, the machines sucked into men's muscles all the forces it needed. The day scratched with life without leaving a trace; without noticing it, the man had gone a step further towards his grave; but he could indulge in the enjoyment of repose, in the pleasures of sordid cabaret, and he was satisfied." In this toxic atmosphere, a group of young people will gradually form, trying to spread the good socialist news to the factory, the region, and then to Russia. The book follows the evolution of Pelagia Nilovna Vlassova, affectionately nicknamed "The Mother." His son Pavel Vlasov is one of the charismatic leaders of the revolutionary movement. Locked up in a mediocre life, paralyzed by fear and despair, Pélagia will gradually open up to her son and companions' new ideas, participate in covert actions, and give herself entirely to the socialist cause.
The quality of the novel from a strictly literary point of view disappointed me. There is certainly a plot, but more than half of the pages are devoted to the mother's moods, which is redundant. Hope, sadness, joy, frustration, and hope again bathed in tears. The situations are often identical, and some protagonists' statements propose a little heavy propaganda. Gorky can not eliminate a certain Manichaeism by opposing the good guys to the good ones, whereas a more nuanced approach would have been more realistic.
However, the many characters and political, philosophical, and social renewal actors are well dug. Although idealized, even caricatural, they say something about the social diversity of the majority of the oppressed. The first chapter upsets me when the author draws the sad scenery that the plot will hold. Nevertheless, a great, committed, observant, demanding, and lucid writer is at work. As the mother's character, it is difficult not to be moved (despite everything!) by his unshakeable confidence in his son, love and attention to each other, and dedication that culminates in his final arrest (another passage of high fly). The caterpillar became a butterfly.
Suppose you look at the novel from a social and political point of view. Indeed, it paints a chilling portrait of the extremely precarious situation of Russia at the very beginning of the 20th century, of the selfish exploitation of man by man, of his miserable and somber daily life, and the absence of some transcendence. This context seems to be a breeding ground for and justification for the revolutionary ambitions of the workers and peasants. It offers an appealing light on the Soviet revolution; if we stick to the causes of the uprising, it seems to start from a good intention. The enthusiasm and serenity of the socialists in the book are pretty communicative. The revolution appears necessary to get out of a disgusting system. No one knows the consequences for the people it claims to serve.
Without being a connoisseur of Gorky, the "Soviet realistic" label defines it quite well. I would not allow myself to pass judgment on his political commitments to Lenin. Then to Stalin, Henri Troyat could pin it down in his book Gorky (a future reading?). However, his optimism (and sometimes naivety) for the "great cause" that transpires through the pages is touching. I also praise the author for his Faith in man and his rejection of all determinism; he permanently lost no soul.
Finally, the novel is captivating because it tells us about historical socialism that seems far from our current policies' pale and sad reflection. Anyone interested in the history of ideas and the Russian people should read this book. Although it is even possible that he sometimes lets himself be contaminated by the frenetic enthusiasm and quiet confidence of the characters, some of their speeches are unfortunately more relevant than ever: "We believe that the society which considers man only as a means of enrichment is antihuman, that it is hostile to us; we can not accept her double-faced morality, her shameless cynicism, and the cruelty with which she treats the individualities that are opposed to her; we want to fight, and we will fight against all the forms of physical and moral servitude of the man employed by this society which divides man in favor of greed" or a little further on, "all that you do is criminal, for you think only of enslaving the man; our work to free us from the world of monsters and ghosts created by your lie, your greed, your hatred. Soon the mass of our workers and peasants will be free and create an open, harmonious and immense world. And that will be!".
In a working-class village in Russia in the early twentieth century, life was hard and regulated by the factory; it "engulfed the day, the machines sucked into men's muscles all the forces it needed. The day scratched with life without leaving a trace; without noticing it, the man had gone a step further towards his grave; but he could indulge in the enjoyment of repose, in the pleasures of sordid cabaret, and he was satisfied." In this toxic atmosphere, a group of young people will gradually form, trying to spread the good socialist news to the factory, the region, and then to Russia. The book follows the evolution of Pelagia Nilovna Vlassova, affectionately nicknamed "The Mother." His son Pavel Vlasov is one of the charismatic leaders of the revolutionary movement. Locked up in a mediocre life, paralyzed by fear and despair, Pélagia will gradually open up to her son and companions' new ideas, participate in covert actions, and give herself entirely to the socialist cause.
The quality of the novel from a strictly literary point of view disappointed me. There is certainly a plot, but more than half of the pages are devoted to the mother's moods, which is redundant. Hope, sadness, joy, frustration, and hope again bathed in tears. The situations are often identical, and some protagonists' statements propose a little heavy propaganda. Gorky can not eliminate a certain Manichaeism by opposing the good guys to the good ones, whereas a more nuanced approach would have been more realistic.
However, the many characters and political, philosophical, and social renewal actors are well dug. Although idealized, even caricatural, they say something about the social diversity of the majority of the oppressed. The first chapter upsets me when the author draws the sad scenery that the plot will hold. Nevertheless, a great, committed, observant, demanding, and lucid writer is at work. As the mother's character, it is difficult not to be moved (despite everything!) by his unshakeable confidence in his son, love and attention to each other, and dedication that culminates in his final arrest (another passage of high fly). The caterpillar became a butterfly.
Suppose you look at the novel from a social and political point of view. Indeed, it paints a chilling portrait of the extremely precarious situation of Russia at the very beginning of the 20th century, of the selfish exploitation of man by man, of his miserable and somber daily life, and the absence of some transcendence. This context seems to be a breeding ground for and justification for the revolutionary ambitions of the workers and peasants. It offers an appealing light on the Soviet revolution; if we stick to the causes of the uprising, it seems to start from a good intention. The enthusiasm and serenity of the socialists in the book are pretty communicative. The revolution appears necessary to get out of a disgusting system. No one knows the consequences for the people it claims to serve.
Without being a connoisseur of Gorky, the "Soviet realistic" label defines it quite well. I would not allow myself to pass judgment on his political commitments to Lenin. Then to Stalin, Henri Troyat could pin it down in his book Gorky (a future reading?). However, his optimism (and sometimes naivety) for the "great cause" that transpires through the pages is touching. I also praise the author for his Faith in man and his rejection of all determinism; he permanently lost no soul.
Finally, the novel is captivating because it tells us about historical socialism that seems far from our current policies' pale and sad reflection. Anyone interested in the history of ideas and the Russian people should read this book. Although it is even possible that he sometimes lets himself be contaminated by the frenetic enthusiasm and quiet confidence of the characters, some of their speeches are unfortunately more relevant than ever: "We believe that the society which considers man only as a means of enrichment is antihuman, that it is hostile to us; we can not accept her double-faced morality, her shameless cynicism, and the cruelty with which she treats the individualities that are opposed to her; we want to fight, and we will fight against all the forms of physical and moral servitude of the man employed by this society which divides man in favor of greed" or a little further on, "all that you do is criminal, for you think only of enslaving the man; our work to free us from the world of monsters and ghosts created by your lie, your greed, your hatred. Soon the mass of our workers and peasants will be free and create an open, harmonious and immense world. And that will be!".
terrortwilight's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Police brutality
bridgeman98's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
yeshi's review against another edition
3.0
This autobiographical story by Maxim Gorky sat on our common bookshelf for as long as I remember and picking it up to break my reading slump felt just about right. A socialist realist story seen and felt through eyes of a mother- a woman who knew no better life than that filled with domestic abuse, illiteracy, hunger, poverty and constant toil. Nilovna, affectionately called 'the mother' by all, overcomes political ignorance as her son becomes a revolutionary leader among factory workers (based on 1905 Russian revolution). Courage, fear, maternal softness and vision for greater good- all intermingle together and we see the mother evolve.
Though the story loses its pace in the middle, the content is heartfelt and definitely emanates the *heat* of people struggling for equality and freedom.
Though the story loses its pace in the middle, the content is heartfelt and definitely emanates the *heat* of people struggling for equality and freedom.
phantom42's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Μια ταλαιπωρημένη μάνα βρίσκει σκοπό στην ζωή της μέσα από την επαναστατική δράση του γιού της. Ένα βιβλίο για το σοσιαλιστικό όνειρο και αγώνα. Το γεγονός ότι είναι από την σκοπιά της ανήξερης αρχικά μάνας πετυχαίνει την αποτελεσματική σύνδεση των ιδεών με αναγνώστες που δεν έχουν ξαναέρθει σε επαφή με τον σοσιαλισμό και τον κομμουνισμό. Έχει δράση και συγκίνηση. Κάνει πολλούς παραλληλισμούς με τον χριστιανισμό. Δείχνει την βάναυση καταστολή κατά των πρωτοπόρων αλλά πάντα με έναν αέρα αισιοδοξίας και ηθικής ανωτερότητας.
lyindis's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
yohanab's review against another edition
3.0
This book is recognized as a must-read in Sri Lankan culture, although I don't see the same worldwide recognition in the international book world. So, I tried to give it a go when I was in grade 9. But it didn't fit my taste back then. But I still remember the vague memory of how it felt: the gloomy environment, the pressured citizens, and the afraid households. But I definitely should give it a re-read again.
fbroom's review against another edition
I would’ve given it 5 stars if it were shorter. It was way too long.
The author goes on to explain every single detail in every scene. too much.
The author goes on to explain every single detail in every scene. too much.