I have read a Malayalam translation of this book. During my childhood, I found it in my father's book collection and started reading it casually. With the turn of each page I got immersed into the life of 'Kostya Ivanovich', the young lad through whom the story unfolds. The novel takes the reader into another world, where Kostya's dreams, thoughts and adventures with his uncle are played. Only few books take the reader into another world and definitely this is one of those great books.
There are multiple instances during my life (I am 28 now) when I thought of reading the original English version (Though the actual original version would be Russian), but it seems it is not available now.
I recommend this book for adults as well as for children.