Pushkin: The Man and His Age

by Robin Edmonds

Traces the life of the revered Russian poet and national hero, who died of wounds from a duel at thirty-seven

Genres: History, Biography

303 pages, Hardcover

First published November 25, 1994

About the author

Robin Edmonds attended Oxford University, where he studies classics and was elected President of the Oxford Union in 1940. After five years service in the Second World War, Edmonds joined the British Foreign Service, in which he served until his retirement.

Reviews

[Jesse Stricklan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pushkin: The Man and His Age seemed to me -- not an expert in Russian history, biography, or historical research -- a good overview of Alexander Sergeevich's life. I found Edmonds' primary focus on the actual events of Pushkin's life (as opposed to the texts) enlightening. Furthermore, the Edmonds writes in an concise, accessible, clear way. Edmonds takes a pragmatic approach to Pushkin, looking at him not as the fount of Russian literature -- which he arguably is -- but as a complicated, mercurial person with great talents.

However, the reader should either be familiar with Pushkin's works or be ready to do a little leg work on at least Wikipedia. Because Edmonds doesn't focus on the texts, someone unfamiliar with them will feel a little adrift.

This problem illustrates the basic conundrum facing Pushkin studies outside of Russia: we don't know much about him, so it's hard to learn about him. (That, and a large portion of his greatest works are in verse and therefore difficult to translate.) However, if you've dipped your toe into Pushkin -- through, for example Eugene Onegin or some of his great prose classics like The Tales of Belkin, The Queen of Spades, or The Stationmaster's Daughter, this biography is useful in fleshing out the man behind the art.

[Lucinda Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and objective account of Pushkin and his times.

[E A M Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography looks at Pushkin not just as a poet but also a man of his time involved, not deeply, in the politics of the time. It takes the view that many of the problems that beset him stemmed from his friendship with members of the Decembrists, a seditious organisation. This viewpoint explains why the Decembrists get so much attention in the book.
His poetry is covered extensively though I would have liked more analysis of his working practices. Also the author points out that Pushkin aimed to make his living from poetry but doesn't go on to examine how this was possible in the publishing environment of the time.
The fact that he was of mixed race (his grandfather was African) is of more interest now than it seems to have been at the time. There is no mention of him meeting any kind of prejudice.
A great deal is known about Pushkin and his time and this author has made an interesting and important selection, but I doubt if it is the full story.
Recommended to anyone interested in the man or in Russian history. Well written and easy to read.