spacestationtrustfund's review
3.0
This volume was originally included in [b:The Complete Works of Isaac Babel|60409|The Complete Works of Isaac Babel|Isaac Babel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386921538l/60409._SY75_.jpg|836152] (translated by Peter Constantine); this edition includes excerpts of Babel's diary from which the idea for the Red Cavalry cycle was drawn, as well as parts of his preliminary manuscripts. The book was edited by Nathalie Babel, the author's daughter. During my research into the translation, I came across this exchange in an interview with Constantine regarding his translations of Anton Chekhov:
Isaac Babel's emotionally moving prose sticks brutally to one's throat and refuses to be dislodged. These are hardly bedtime stories: at times ruthless, at others merciless, Babel's writing borders on cruelty in its depiction of reality. Although the depiction of the vicious Cossacks, as Babel sketches it out, can be at times harsh, the overall result is a nuanced, heartbreaking picture of them and their unfortunate situation.
DG: A huge part of translation is the creative aspect of rewriting someone’s work into a new language, but a translator can also be an academic and biographer. How did you fill these three roles as you translated Chekhov’s earlier and lesser-known works?
PC: The only role I filled in my Chekhov translations was that of the translator.That's what I like to see.
Isaac Babel's emotionally moving prose sticks brutally to one's throat and refuses to be dislodged. These are hardly bedtime stories: at times ruthless, at others merciless, Babel's writing borders on cruelty in its depiction of reality. Although the depiction of the vicious Cossacks, as Babel sketches it out, can be at times harsh, the overall result is a nuanced, heartbreaking picture of them and their unfortunate situation.
terese_utan_h's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eejayceelof's review
4.0
Red Cavalry is a fantastic collection of stories; they provide a bright and clear window into a slice of life that most people don't have much knowledge of. The stories don't have a hyper firm thread between them beyond time and place, but I got these little pops of joy when I recognized a name from another story, whether the contemplative Gedali or the non-loquacious Budyonny. The only reason I'm knocking off a star is probably due to my own failing. I generally read this while I was tired and distracted, and as a result, I couldn't keep a clear and distinct focus while reading. But still, damn fine literature.
mnhm47's review against another edition
4.0
Original language is very nice indeed.
Honest stories of how the revolution was made.
You will learn why in the theft of horses in Russia sentence was death.
A hundred years later similar stories will make the foundation of such music albums as
Mongol Shuudan's "Natural selection".
The two make a great pair.
The album concludes with Mayakovsky's poetry of 1916,
which is the factual prelude to the whole shebang.
Honest stories of how the revolution was made.
You will learn why in the theft of horses in Russia sentence was death.
A hundred years later similar stories will make the foundation of such music albums as
Mongol Shuudan's "Natural selection".
The two make a great pair.
The album concludes with Mayakovsky's poetry of 1916,
which is the factual prelude to the whole shebang.
yanina's review against another edition
4.0
Crudo. Algunos relatos no son tan memorables o parecen muy similares entre sí, pero logran su objetivo: contar e impactar. Varias imágenes se me quedaron pegadas a la mente por la forma en que están descriptas. Ejemplo:
Es una de las primeras citas impresionantes que encontré, así que lo que resta es un horror. No podía esperarse menos de historias basadas en la guerra y escritas por un hombre que la conoció de cerca.
Entro y me hiere el brillo de dos plateadas calaveras en la tapa de un féretro roto.
Es una de las primeras citas impresionantes que encontré, así que lo que resta es un horror. No podía esperarse menos de historias basadas en la guerra y escritas por un hombre que la conoció de cerca.
stephb413's review
3.0
Provides primary source information about the Russian Revolution. It was challenging at times to keep all the content straight, but it certainly provided basic information that could be built on. Considering the topic, this book was very readable.
dennesseewilliams's review
5.0
After thinking more about it, I have to update my rating from 4 to 5 stars. This book is just outstanding.
ragnajohanna's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
mancolepig's review
3.0
I'm still trying to rap my head around this little collection. The images of war are brutal and poignant, but it's hard to look at these as "stories" in a western sense. They are really more like moments, vignettes, and observations from one man's experiences of war. I think going into reading a book like this with a general knowledge of the Russian revolution would have helped my comprehension, because I would often get lost figuring out who was on who's side (There are reds and whites and Jews and Poles and Cossacks, I need to read up on my Russian history...). Despite my confusion, there are enough haunting moments and instances of beautiful writing to keep the reader engaged in Babel's account. Each story is so short, and the book overall is so short, that you feel compelled to finish even if there are no resolutions or easy answers in the red cavalry.