Степной король Лир

by Ivan Turgenev

В девятнадцатом веке И. С. Тургенев показал, что не только "быстрых разумом Невтонов" может рождать российская земля, но и своих Гамлетов, Фаустов и королей Лиров. Эти вечные образы, архетипы и сверхтипы, попав на русскую почву, претерпели некоторые изменения, став, может быть, еще ближе, роднее и понятнее нам. "Вечные образы переносились на русскую почву, изменяли имена, становились инструментом объективного исследования русской жизни и способом лирического самовыражения, сохраняя тем не менее глубинную, архетипическую связь с породившей их почвой и культурной традицией" (И. Сухих).

Genres: Russia, Classics, Fiction, Russian Literature, Literature, 19th Century, Short Stories

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1870

About the author

Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (Cyrillic: Иван Сергеевич Тургенев) was a novelist, poet, and dramatist, and now ranks as one of the towering figures of Russian literature. His major works include the short-story collection A Sportsman’s Sketches (1852) and the novels Rudin (1856), Home of the Gentry (1859), On the Eve (1860), and Fathers and Sons (1862).

These works offer realistic, affectionate portrayals of the Russian peasantry and penetrating studies of the Russian intelligentsia who were attempting to move the country into a new age. His masterpiece, Fathers and Sons, is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century.

Turgenev was a contemporary with Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy. While these wrote about church and religion, Turgenev was more concerned with the movement toward social reform in Russia.

Reviews

[Sepehr · Rating 3 out of 5]

ذلت عقاب‌ پیر:

اقتباس ساده‌ی روسی و روستایی تورگنیف از اثر سترگ شکسپیر، برای ایامی که فرصت و تمرکز خواندن کم است، انتخاب مناسبی است.
هرچند من خیلی طرفدار چنین اقتباس‌هایی نیستم و همیشه متن اصلی را ترجیح می‌دهم و خب پر واضح است که شکسپیر بخاطر لحنش معروف است و آن خطابه‌های شاهکارش، بنابراین وقتی قرار باشد از داستان آن الگوبرداری شود بخصوص در ابعاد کوچک‌تر، قابل حدس است که نهایت با یک حکایت نیمه اخلاقی طرف خواهیم بود که البته تورگنیف هم از این فراتر نمی‌رود. با این وجود بومی‌سازی خوبی صورت می‌گیرد و دیالوگ‌ها افراطی و غیرواقعی بنظر نمی‌رسند. محدودیت کاراکترها شمای کلی اثر شکسپیر را حفظ می‌کنند و داستان را از تبدیل شدنش به اثری نصیحت کننده و اخلاقی نچسب در امان نگه می‌دارند.
با این وجود هیچ‌گاه عمق شاه لیر شکسپیر را لمس نمی‌کنند و تاثیری مانند آن ندارند.
اما نثر ساده و شفاف و توصیفات ملایم تورگنیف نیز جلوی ملال‌آوری داستان را می‌گیرد. پس شاید بعنوان جمع‌بندی باید از آن بعنوان داستان زیبای تک نشستی مناسب مترو یا مسافرت نام برد.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Una sera d’inverno eravamo riuniti in sei presso un vecchio amico, compagno d’università, e parlavamo di Shakespeare e delle sue meravigliose creazioni, di quei suoi personaggi poderosi che rappresentano così mirabilmente la natura umana, così pieni di verità e di freschezza, che ciascuno di noi ricordava di aver incontrato in vita sua un Amleto, un Otello, un Falstaff.
Ed io, signori miei –disse il nostro ospite, un uomo già attempato- io ho conosciuto un Re Lear.
Come! Un Re Lear! –esclamammo noi alquanto sorpresi.
Proprio così; e se volete vi racconterò la sua storia.
Fateci questo piacere –pregammo noi; e il nostro amico cominciò subito a raccontare.”
Così inizia questo bel racconto dove si incontrano l’Ottocento russo, in particolare la scrittura limpida e meravigliosa di Turgenev, con il genio di Shakespeare. Non sarà un capolavoro, forse per Turgenev è stato un’esercitazione, un gioco… però è un gran bel leggere

[Sergio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo racconto lungo scritto da Ivan Turgenev [1818-1883] nel 1870 ripete, ambientandola nella steppa russa, la nota tragedia di William Shakespeare: non ho letto la versione originale di Shakespeare per poter confrontare le due opere ma è indubbio che Turgenev spargendo le sue pagine di un sottofondo poetico e di descrizioni della campagna russa nel susseguirsi delle stagioni, come è sua caratteristica, senza nulla togliere alla potenza del racconto, lo riveste di un’aura di malinconia bucolica e sottile ironia per cui soltanto nelle pagine finali il dramma esplode nella sua più tragica espressione mettendo a nudo, nel compiersi della catastrofe, sentimenti repressi, disperazione e rovina.

[Kateryna Krotova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Shakespeare inspired Turgenev to write this novel.. It is based on Shakespeare’s King Lear. But it is set up in the Russian countryside. I like, how Turgenev describes life of different layers of society in that time. How reach people are proud of their position.
Kharkov - the main character is strong man. He has 2 daughters. One, Anna is married and another is about to get married. He is stubborn and doesn’t listen to advices of anyone.
Kharkov decides, that he needs to retire, that his death is near and he wants to divide his property between his daughter.. (although his friends and associates advise not to do so).
Later he gets kicked out from his own house by his daughters and son-in-law..
And at the end is a tragical final…
But to be honest - it was what I was expected..

[Cemre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bozkırda Bir Kral Lear'ı, Kırmızı Kedi'den okudum. Bu baskıda Turgenyev'in aynı isimli ve Asya isimli iki öyküsüne yer verilmiş. İki öykü de Rus klasikleri okuyanların aşina olacakları cinsten diyebilirim.

Bozkırda Bir Kral Lear, isminden de anlaşılabileceği üzere Shakespeare'in Kral Lear'ının Rus bozkırına uyarlanmış hali. Yine de birebir aynısı olduğunu söylemek mümkün değil; örneğin, en küçük kız kardeş Cordelia'ya benzer bir karakter yok. Kral Lear, favori Shakespeare oyunlarımdan olmamakla birlikte Turgenyev uyarlamasını severek okuduğumu söyleyebilirim. Asya oyunu da belirttiğim gibi tipik bir Rus öyküsüydü; ancak onu diğer öykü kadar sevdiğimi söyleyemem.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Opening: We were a party of six, gathered together one evening at the house of an old college friend.

The link: http://www.archive.org/stream/learofs...



Megatherium

Polyphemus


Two daughters instead of three, namely Anna Martinovna and Evlampia. This story also features Bitchkov and Zhitkov. No comment.

Some beautiful descriptions but is it me or do others feel this a pointless exercise. Dut-Doo. Next.

5* Fathers and Sons
3* First Love
3* Spring Torrents
3* House of the Gentry
4* Rudin
2* A Lear of the Steppes

It appears I find his short stories/novellas rather bog standard.

[tyranus · Rating 4 out of 5]

İngiliz yazar William Shakespeare'ın "Kral Lear" isimli trajedisinin rus edebiyatındaki karşılığı sayılabilir. Her iki öyküde de çocuklarının babalarını düşürdükleri güç durum anlatılmaktadır. Kızlarına güvenen babaların, ve bu güveni boşa çıkaran kızların hikayesidir. Hikayenin başkahramanı martin petroviç'in heybeti ile düştüğü acıklı durum öyle tezattır ki, şayet böyle bir aşağılanma karşısında okur olarak kendinizi kaptırdıysanız kitaba, kızlarına bir kamyon küfür sarfedebilirsiniz, bu kitapta bunu tecrübe ettim. İyi okumalar...

[Irmak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bu kitaptan öğrendiğim iki şey var. İlki ölmeden malını mülkünü kimseye verme. İkincisi ise Lanner <3

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

*Read for class.

I actually enjoyed it, seeing the parallels with Shakespeare's King Lear (duh, the title gives it away). But still, I was a little bit surprised by the ending and a bit sad. But I'm glad I've read it. I hope we get to discuss it in class, at least a little bit.

[Myricae ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un re può celarsi in tutti, così come la bontà e l’invidia, la gelosia e la gola…

In questo piccolo romanzo, che della penna di Turgenev conserva tutto il malinconico sapore, troviamo un po’ di tutto, dall’amore incondizionato per la propria immagine, allo struggimento pietoso per ciò che si è perduto.
In poche pagine abbiamo un racconto vivido di una Russia che sa’ di leggenda; una prosa elegante travestita da racconto popolare d’osteria

[Illiterate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pessimistic study of folly, viciousness, destruction. A bleak world lacking even the grace Cordelia brings.

[Marc Lamot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in Dutch, when I was 17. Didn't impress my much. I read better books by Turgenev, later on. Maybe ought to try a reread.

[Thiago Sant'Anna Da Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Eu ainda não sabia que um ressentimento tão insuportável pode por vezes ser provocado por uma recriminação vazia, mesmo quando provém de lábios desprezíveis"

"- Não o trouxe. Não tem como trazer.
- Por que isso? O senhor o viu?
- Vi.
- O que aconteceu com ele? Um choque?
- De modo algum. Não aconteceu nada.
- Então por que o senhor não o trouxe?
- Porque ele está pondo a casa abaixo."

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very Russian take on King Lear... whenever I finish any Russian novel/novella/short story I’m somehow always left staring out of a window contemplating what it means to be alive and what it means to be human. But who has time for existential dread when the world is so beautiful and green and bright. It’s those two conflicting feelings after reading Russian literature that make me come back every time.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

You may read online here.

4* On the Eve
4* Fathers and Sons
3* Spring Torrents
2* A Lear of the Steppes
TR Virgin Soil
TR A House of Gentlefolk
TR First Love
TR The Diary of a Superfluous Man and Other Stories
TR Sketches from a Hunter's Album
TR A Tour in the Forest

[AKMENTINA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grāmatā iekļauti sekojoši stāsti un noveles (ar blakus pievienotu oriģinālo nosaukumu):

Sapnis/Сон
Leitnanta Jergunova stāsts/История лейтенанта Ергунова
Brigadieris/Бригадир
Nelaimīgā/Несчастная
Dīvains gadījums/Странная история
Stepes karalis Līrs/Степной король Лир
Pulkstenis/Часы
Suns/Собака
Tēva Alekseja stāsts/Рассказ отца Алексея
Pēc nāves/После смерти

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella loosely based on Shakespeare’s King Lear. Set in the Russian countryside, the story is vividly described. It’s about the huge, strong Kharlov. Kharlov has two daughters and a good sized property. He is not the friendliest of men, stubborn and prone to not listen to advice. One daughter marries and the other remains single. Kharlov gets it into his head that he should retire and gift his property and material possessions to his two daughters. He does so contrary to the advice of his friends and associates. Like in King Lear, the daughters force Kharlov’s out of what was his house. From here the story varies from Shakespeare’s King Lear. An entertaining, worthwhile read.

Jane Smiley’s ‘A Thousand Acres’ is a loosely based novel on Shakespeare’s King Lear and is a very good , recommended read. (A Thousand Acres won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize and the 1991 National Book Critics Circle Award).

[Dario Andrade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shakespeare inspirou a tantos. O rei Lear foi a fonte do enorme, belo e profundo Ran, dirigido por Akira Kurosawa. Do mesmo mesmo, pelo visto parece que os russos do século XIX beberam muito no autor inglês. Lembro, por exemplo, do Lady Macbeth do Distrito de Mtzensk, do Leskov, além de um conto do próprio Turgueniev - Hamlet do Distrito de Schigrí -, e seu famoso ensaio Hamlet e Dom Quixote, que pode ser encontrado sem maiores dificuldades na internet.
O narrador - já um adulto em idade avançada - talvez tenha algo que se assemelha à vida do próprio Turgueniev: lembra de fatos de quando era um adolescente, que passava os dias a caçar sem maiores preocupações na propriedade da mãe, uma personalidade forte e dominadora. Mas não é isso o que é verdadeiramente importante, mas a relação entre pais e filhos, outra questão mais ou menos frequente em suas obras. Aqui um mujique bastante abastado resolve, em um certo momento da vida, (possivelmente assustado com a perspectiva da morte) doar os seus bens para as suas duas filhas. É um mujique que acumulou uma razoável riqueza material, mas que só vai alcançar a sabedoria tarde demais.
Como no Lear original, as coisas não vão bem, e mais ou menos se repete a frustração pelo que fez. O narrador, filho de uma rica proprietária, é um observador do que acontece,
Há tragédia, mas, como em Shakespeare, temperada pelo patético, Diferentemente, porém, a mais resignação aqui.

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the writing is quite beautiful and the story is a good one (the title tells you exactly what to expect)... I just never connected well with any of the characters. Nothing about the story surprised me, and I wasn't sad when the book was finished. I think I will have forgotten it by the time I finish my next book.

[Mirjam Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good build up, makes you wonder whats going to come next so actually quite a page turner. Like a russian classics there has been such a good description of the different characters in the book and storyline itself was very strong.
I really enjoyed this story!

[Dorotea · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay mr. ivan! not the best thing i've ever read but it was an interesting read

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on a King Lear kick right now, so read this late in his career novella by Turgenev. Yes, "loosely based" - for example, only 2 daughters. Lots of 19th C performances of the play did not have the whole family dead at the end, so that works here as well - only some of them die.

What is most disturbing here is the frequent appearance of Russian anti-Semitism. The s-in-l is often referred to in various derogatory ways as a Jew. And made clear that it is "in his nature". Ivan may have stood up for the serfs, but he still had some deplorable Russian prejudices. Lithuanians and Poles come in for a bit as well - but Swedes (as in the KL character here) seem to be OK. Shades of 2018!

The novella is often part of various Turgenev collections, and I read a stand alone ebook version of this. Delphi Classics - about 1/3 of the content was given over to advertising their classic collections. But at $0.99, no complaints. Not the cleanest text (large spaces between words on occasion made the text less "flowing"), it was not horrible either.

There is better Turgenev to read out there - unless you're on a Lear kick.....

[Janith Pathirage · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a somewhat sad story about a giant like man who sacrifices all his wealth for the good of his children but doesn't get anything back from them in return. When Turgenev doesn't write his usual descriptions about beautiful landscapes in his stories, they become quite ordinary. This is one of his tolerable stories, not one of his best.

[Trounin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Довольно узнав про себя критических отзывов касательно малой прозы, Тургенев взялся написать повесть, частично основанную на реальностях российского быта. В результате удостоился гневных отзывов. Ивана обвинили в опошлении Шекспира. Так и говорили: зачем трогал великое творение, обратив его в навоз, из которого и принялся лепить? Обвинили и в принижении непосредственно имевшего в России место быть. А что сделал Тургенев? Он взял за основу события, описанные Шекспиром в «Короле Лире», в свою очередь основанные на британской мифологии. Жил некогда король, решивший разделить при жизни наследство между детьми, получив за то чёрную неблагодарность. Кто может сказать, будто таковой сюжет лишён жизненности и обязан быть привязан именно к фигуре мифического персонажа? Назови Иван произведение другим образом, удостоился бы обвинений в схожести сюжета. Но ничего чрезмерного в том нет. Всё же Тургенев пытался показать не сюжет, основанный на легендах, а думал отразить реалии некогда близких для его современников дней.

Дабы хоть как-то смягчить отношение читателя, Тургенев решил вывести род главного героя из чухонцев, под которыми понимались шведы. И всё в нём будто бы родное — русское, в отличии от импульсивности. За всякое действие главный герой брался скоро, выполнял его быстро, принимаясь за следующее. Мог легко оскорбить чиновника, прозвав обидным словом. Боялся ходить в церковь, опасаясь выдавить прихожан, поскольку обладал внушительными габаритами. И ел он так, словно за стол садилось несколько человек. Всё это создавало определённый образ. Не совсем понятно, к чему читатель обязывался знать именно это. Чтобы увидеть непосредственность главного героя? Принять его за честнейшего из людей, кто живёт по детской своей наивности?

Основное, важное к пониманию, судьба задуманного к разделу наследства. Увидев сон, согласно которого главный герой подумал о скорой смерти, решил делить наследство при жизни. Он никого не слушал, учитывая то обстоятельство, что всему в любом случае предстоит быть разделённым между детьми. Но раз повествование складывалось подобным образом, ещё и с упоминанием короля Лира, читатель понимал, к чему думал склонить сюжет Тургенев. Чёрная неблагодарность не заставит себя ждать. Останется только красочно расписать детали. Какой-нибудь читатель припомнит, как подобное происходит в действительности. Упомнит каждого известного ему человека, чьё наследство бездарно растрачивалось. И как даритель оставался у разбитого корыта. То есть, говоря на нынешний лад, в лице одариваемых встретил мошенников, поживившихся за его счёт.

Читатель волен привести огромное количество обратных примеров. Однако, в жизни случается всякое. А если браться за литературные сюжеты, там и вовсе не встретишь идиллии. Кто же станет читать, когда всё замечательно и прекрасно? Пиши об этом книги, вовсе не будешь читаем. Нужно побуждать читателя оспаривать высказываемое автором. Потому Тургенев встретил негативные отклики. Критикам следовало ответить, сколь велика Россия, в значительной части лишённая счастья, и тем более справедливого отношения к оного страждущим. Хотя бы сослаться на Александра Островского, популярного драматурга, в чьих пьесах действующие лица жили мыслями как раз о дармовом наследстве, которое они хотят получить, более никаким способом не умея заработать.

Можно ли сказать о поучительности «Степного короля Лира»? Ни в коем разе. Тургенев не предоставил для читателя возможность к иному осмыслению содержания, кроме как сообщив неизбежность случившегося. Разве только получится задуматься о жизни в пагубном её смысле для человека: все благие деяния обречены быть низведёнными в пустоту.

(c) Trounin

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delighted to come across the LibriVox recording of Lear of the Steppes (along with a couple other Turgenev novellas). Classic Turgenev and this account would have fit in perfectly with A Sportsman's Sketches, as it is told in the same way (hunting and all). Account of near neighbor (of the narrator), a great bear of a man - Harlov - physically and in bursting confident personality. This man also has premonitions of death and is broadly superstitious. He decides to grant all his property to his two daughters so that he might calmly prepare to meet his maker (in spite of the strong negative reaction and warnings of all those around him). Sure enough he is progressively put out of house and home and left in a miserable, pitiful state. The fool type character eggs him in, making fun of him and driving him to wild action. Harlov proceeds to rip up the main daughters house- the one he had built with his own hands). Literally board from board (from the roof) he tears it apart and finally falls down and dies. We see some comeuppance for the daughters after this, but still quite ambiguous.

[Ufuk Beyazova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bozkırda bir kral Lear / Tugenyev

Yazar  Shekespeare' in Kral Lear oyunundan esinlenerek bu öyküyü yazmış. Olay Rusya'nın bir bozkır köyünde geçer. Öykünün kahramanı Martin Pavloviç Harlov bir kral değildir ama bedensel gücü sınırsız bir toprak sahibidir. Dev gibi bir adamdır. Kocaman gövdesinin üstünde boyunsuz, korkunç, biraz da eğri duran bir kafası vardır. Gür kaşlarından başlayan sarımtırak kır renkte bir yığın saç kafasında dimdik durur. Derisi tüyü yolunmuş bir tavuğu andıran koca yüzünde iri, etli bir burnu vardır. Gök mavisi, küçük ama tepeden bakan iki gözü, yüzüyle bir renkte eğri, çatlamış, küçük bir ağzı vardır. Bu ağızdan boğuk da olsa çınlayan bir ses çıkar. Ya ellerine ne dersiniz. Herbiri yastık gibidir. Köylüler ona saygılı bir korkuyla bakarlar. Birgün bu Martin Petroviç kral Lear gibi yapar ve topraklarını iki kızı arasında bölüştürür. Ama onu da kral Lear'ın sonu bekler. Bu Herkül gibi güçlü adam onları bağışlayabilecek midir?

[Arthur Kurbedzis · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Steppe King Lear" is a surprisingly skillfully reimagines a classic downfall story. What struck me most was the brilliant characterization of the titular figure: on the surface, he is a man of immense physical power and brute authority - a true "steppe king." Yet, the narrative meticulously dismantles this façade, revealing a character devastatingly weakened by an inability to accept fault and an unhealthy dependency on the opinions of those around him, rather than his own judgment.

The central conflict of the betrayal and later exile of the powerful father by his own children is portrayed with visceral, agonizing clarity. This action, which ultimately unleashes the king's terrifying and destructive rage, provides an emotionally captivating moment afterward.

While I cannot say the reading experience was entirely pleasurable, the book's power lies in its execution of the final act, leaving a lasting and impactful impression.

[Aida Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Maravilla de novela corta!.

📚El escritor uso hace suya la historia,la extrapola a la sociedad de la Rusia rural.

Un paisaje costumbrista,personajes rotundos:

El protagonista,un terrateniente inculto ,muy trabajador de gran corazón,con dos malvadas hijas y un yerno sin piedad.El no tiene reino ni fieles ,pero tiene...o tenía poder en su hacienda.

Decide repartir la herencia en vida para dejar “sus asuntos arreglados”y a partir de ahí ...locura,tragedia ,egoísmo .

📚El trágico final de los mejores que he leído .
📚Y de esta lectura saldrá otra:

Turguéniev en su lecho de muerte tiene unas palabras para su amigo /enemigo Tolstói”Amigo,vuelve a la literatura “y este posteriormente escribió “La muerte de Iván Ililc”,que curiosamente tengo en casa y entiendo que ahora sabiendo cual fue el impulso que le llevó a escribirlo no ahí mejor momento para su lectura.

[Anda Kruetani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a masochist, I like getting my heart ripped out, I like this book. - And that's how I can give my review of this book in a nutshell.

I'm a massive massive fan of Russian literature, unfortunately with this one I got spoiled via reading the book summary in the cover and the gut-wrenching feeling this book undoubtedly would grant me in the end (a encompassing element throughout most of my favorite books), was slightly tuned down.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the built-up to that extremely sad end and the way that Turgeniev portrays his character's flaws, especially Martin Harlov, Ana and Evlampia, his daughters.

If y'all want an emotional, gut-wrenching read, go ahead and pick this up, but make sure not to read the synopsis, especially if you pick up a copy in Albanian.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a Russian interpretation of Shakespeare's King Lear, and the connections are very clear. I really enjoyed Turgenev's writing and it kept me interested in the story. The main character is Kharkov, a very strong, stubborn, and proud man. He has 2 daughters. One, Anna is married and another is about to get married. As Kharkov ages, and decides to retire, thinking that his death may be near, he thinks himself wise and in his infinite wisdom, despite the advice of associates, declares that he will divide his property between his daughters and give everything to them. Foolish humans are we all! Great, quick read.