The Eagle

by Latif Makhmudov, Andrei Pavlovich Platonov (Illustrator), Fainna Solasko (Adaptation)

Murad spends his summer vacation with his grandparents in the country and meets a new friend.

44 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1984

About the author

One of the well-known representatives of children's and youth literature is Latif Makhmudov.
Latif Makhmudov (Russian: Латиф Махмудов) was born in 1933 in the Mirabad district of Tashkent. After graduating from the 40th railway school, he entered the journalism department of the philology department of Central Asian State University. In 1956, he continued his activities on the radio of the Republic. In 1958 he was appointed editor-in-chief in the new edition of the children's and youth program. Latif Makhmudov has been in this position for more than 20 years and since 1979 he has been the head of the Children's Literature department of the Yosh Guard publishing house (now Yangi as avlodi).

Latif Maҳmudov began his creative activity in 1956. He is known as the author of many children's stories, plays and screenwriter of several films.

Over 30 works of Latif Makhmudov were published. “Қadrdon kўzlar” (Native eyes) (1961). “Chinor” (Oak) (1961) are considered the first books of the writer. After that, the following collections of short stories, novels and short stories were printed which meet the interests and requirements of the younger generation: “Ikki ўrtoқ” (Two Friends) (1963), “Wafo” (Fidelity) (1963), “Kiriy” (Falcon) (1965) , “Shўh Darning Siri” (The Secret of the Fun River) (1966), “Bolalar Shodliga” (Children's Fun) (1968), “Ikki Dangas Sarguzashti” (The Adventure of Two Lazy People) (1970), “Sirli Hut” (Letter with Secret) (1974), “Jasur Bolalar” (Brave Children) (1971), “Konga Yashiringan Odam” (A Man Hidden in Blood) (1979), “Eski Dutor Sirlari” (Secrets of the Old Dutor) (1980). Based on the novels and short stories of Latif Makhmudov several films were made and are being shot, performances are being staged.

Latif Makhmudov is one of the most popular writers of the Republic. His works are very popular and are read with great interest by young people, the teenage generation of our country. Books of Latif Makhmudov are translated into Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Latvian, Estonian, Kazakh and other languages ​​of the world.

One of the most popular books of the writer is considered “Toгиdagi Lolalar” (Mountain Tulips), which in 1984 was awarded the Prize named after him by the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan. Gafur Gulyama.

In 1977, Latif Mazumudov was awarded the title “Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

In 2000, he was awarded the Order of Solom Avlod Uchun.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture-book from Uzbekistan, released in English translation by the Moscow-based Raduga Publishers in 1984, opens with a brief introduction to the country - mention is made of Uzbekistan's topography, architectural heritage, and customs - before proceeding to the main story, in which a young boy from the city (Tashkent, perhaps?) goes to visit his grandparents in a small village. Here Murad encounters another boy, Djurakul, with whom he has some adventures, as well as a young girl named Djamila, who pays back the prank played upon her by Djurakul by forcing him, with the help of her amazing trained dog, Alapar, to clean her laundry. All ends peacefully, despite Djurakul's threats, and the book closes as the two boys ponder how difficult Djamila's life must be, now that her mother is dead and she must do all the housework.

I don't think I've ever encountered another children's story from Uzbekistan - sadly, Lafit Makhmudov (about whom I can discover nothing) does not appear to have written anything else - so I was quite eager to pick up The Eagle. I found it quite interesting, in many respects - the glimpses offered of rural Uzbek culture were fascinating, and the colorful artwork, done in a folkloric style, was engaging - but also found the story somewhat weak. It simply didn't hold together very well, and sometimes felt more like a string of random incidents, than a coherent narrative. Perhaps this is owing to issues of translation, as I believe the original went first from Uzbek to Russian, and then from Russian to English. I'd love to learn more about Makhmudov and his work - did he write other stories for children?, is he still alive? - and to find other Uzbek children's books. In the meantime, I'm glad to have read this one.

[Mohammad Labid Hossain · Rating 3 out of 5]

ইউনিভার্সিটিতে যাওয়ার সময় বাসে বসে পড়ার জন্য পারফেক্ট। আর ফ্যাসিবাদ কীভাবে শিশু মনে কায়েম হয় তার প্রমাণ