Poeme

by Mikhail Lermontov, George Lesnea (Translator)

Genres: Poetry, Russian Literature

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov (Михаил Юрьевич Лермонтов), a Russian Romantic writer, poet and painter, sometimes called "the poet of the Caucasus", was the most important Russian poet after Alexander Pushkin's death. His influence on later Russian literature is still felt in modern times, not only through his poetry, but also by his prose.

Lermontov died in a duel like his great predecessor poet, Aleksander Pushkin.

Even more so tragically strange (if not to say fatalistic) that both poets described in their major works fatal duel outcomes, in which the main characters (Onegin and Pechorin) were coming out victorious.

Reviews

[Edlira Dibrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bored and sad

It's boring and sad, and there's no one around
In times of my spirit's travail...
Desires!...What use is our vain and eternal desire?..
While years pass on by - all the best years!

To love...but love whom?.. a short love is vexing,
And permanent love's just a myth.
Perhaps look within? - The past's left no trace:
All trivial, joys and distress...

What good are the passions? For sooner or later
Their sweet sickness ends when reason speaks up;
And life, if surveyed with cold-blooded regard,-
Is stupid and empty - a joke...

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the death of Puskin in a duel, Lermontov became the greatest young Russian poet, writing an impressive number of lyric and narrative poems before his own untimely death in a duel at the age of 26. This collection would be incredible for The Demon alone, which is one of the best narrative poems of Russian literature. Like Pushkin, Lermontov’s early verse, written when he was a teenager, is virtuoso and eminently readable. Unlike Pushkin, Lermontov’s output did not become hit-or-miss in quality as he reached his mid-20s. Indeed, Lermontov seemed only to get better as he reached his 20s. This collection, even more so than Pushkin’s work, left me wondering what else Lermontov could have written over 50 years had he lived.

[Fred Dameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many translations of Lermontov's works and this one is excellent. Yea it was published in 1965, but translations can be good or bad and this one is good. The rhythm of of "Tamara", the spacing of "Borodino", the political anger at Nicholas I and the court for cuckolding Pushkin and then goading him into a duel to keep the Tsar's bedroom romps a "secret", "The Rendezvous" and the change from love to murder/blood feud, and finally the greatest of his Narrative poems, "The Demon" part autobiography part adventure, part warning to not engage with Demons, Imps, and any other pawn of Satan. Altogether a GREAT Collection.

[Kody Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read..I need more of this wish I had more time read them though, great poetry.