What do you think?
Rate this book
Альпійская балада
Аповесць Васіля Быкава «Альпійская балада» — аб інтэрнацыянальным брацтве народаў у барацьбе з фашызмам. У цэнтры твора — драматычныя падзеі: пабег з палону савецкага салдата Івана, яга каханне да італьянскай дзяўчыны Джуліі, якая таксама ўцякла з палону.
За тры дні, у час якіх разгортваецца дзеянне, героі перажываюць вельмі многа і пакутнага, і шчаслівага. Іван трагічна гіне. I як рэха далёкай трагедыі, ідзе па зямлі сумная і светлая вестка пра звы-чайнага калгаснага хлопца, які сваім жыццём і смерцю зрабіў вялікі подзвіг.
За тры дні, у час якіх разгортваецца дзеянне, героі перажываюць вельмі многа і пакутнага, і шчаслівага. Іван трагічна гіне. I як рэха далёкай трагедыі, ідзе па зямлі сумная і светлая вестка пра звы-чайнага калгаснага хлопца, які сваім жыццём і смерцю зрабіў вялікі подзвіг.
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1964
10 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Vasil Bykaŭ
82 books47 followersVasiĺ Bykaŭ was born in the village Byčki, not far from Viciebsk in 1924. In 1941 he was in Ukraine when Germany attacked the USSR. At first seventeen-year-old Bykaŭ dug trenches – then he volunteered for the Red Army. For years after the war he continued to serve, returning to the USSR only in the mid-1950s. There he started to work as a journalist for the Hrodna Pravda newspaper. In that same decade his first novellas began to come out, of which the most famous are "Sotnikaŭ", "The Obelisk", "To Go and Not Return", and "To Live Till Sunrise". During and after the Perestroika, he participated in pro-reform movement (e.g. Popular Front of Belarus). In October 1993, he signed the Letter of Forty-Two.
Bykaŭ's literary achievement lies in his sternly realistic, albeit touched by lyricism, depictions of World War II battles, typically with a small number of personages. In the ferociousness of encounter they face moral dilemmas both vis-a-vis their enemies and within their own Soviet world burdened by ideological and political constraints. Bykaŭ's novellas that are available in English translation, such as "The Dead Feel No Pain" (1965), "The Ordeal" (1970), "Wolf Pack" (1975) and "Sign of Misfortune", challenged the official version of the war. This brought upon the writer vicious accusations of "false humanism" from some Red Army generals and the Communist Party press. "Vasil Bykov is a very courageous and uncompromising writer, rather of the Solzhenitsyn stamp," wrote Michael Glenny in Partisan Review in 1972. Bykaŭ was one of the most admired writers in the Soviet Union. In 1980 he was awarded the honorific title of People's Writer of the Belarusian SSR.
Outside of his native country, Vasiĺ Bykaŭ is the most widely read Belarusian writer. During the Soviet period, his works were translated into most major languages of the world. However, most of the translations were done on the basis of Russian rendering. Bykaŭ wrote all of his works in his native Belarusian language, and translated several of them into Russian by himself. Vasiĺ Bykaŭ's stature in the life of his country remains enormous. An opponent of Alexander Lukashenko's regime and a supporter of the Belarusian People's Front, he lived abroad for several years (first in Finland, then in Germany and the Czech Republic), but returned to his homeland just a month before his death. The memory of his turbulent life and uncompromising stance on the war have only enhanced his reputation at home and abroad ever since.
Belarusian: Васіль Быкаў
Russian: Василь Быков
Bykaŭ's literary achievement lies in his sternly realistic, albeit touched by lyricism, depictions of World War II battles, typically with a small number of personages. In the ferociousness of encounter they face moral dilemmas both vis-a-vis their enemies and within their own Soviet world burdened by ideological and political constraints. Bykaŭ's novellas that are available in English translation, such as "The Dead Feel No Pain" (1965), "The Ordeal" (1970), "Wolf Pack" (1975) and "Sign of Misfortune", challenged the official version of the war. This brought upon the writer vicious accusations of "false humanism" from some Red Army generals and the Communist Party press. "Vasil Bykov is a very courageous and uncompromising writer, rather of the Solzhenitsyn stamp," wrote Michael Glenny in Partisan Review in 1972. Bykaŭ was one of the most admired writers in the Soviet Union. In 1980 he was awarded the honorific title of People's Writer of the Belarusian SSR.
Outside of his native country, Vasiĺ Bykaŭ is the most widely read Belarusian writer. During the Soviet period, his works were translated into most major languages of the world. However, most of the translations were done on the basis of Russian rendering. Bykaŭ wrote all of his works in his native Belarusian language, and translated several of them into Russian by himself. Vasiĺ Bykaŭ's stature in the life of his country remains enormous. An opponent of Alexander Lukashenko's regime and a supporter of the Belarusian People's Front, he lived abroad for several years (first in Finland, then in Germany and the Czech Republic), but returned to his homeland just a month before his death. The memory of his turbulent life and uncompromising stance on the war have only enhanced his reputation at home and abroad ever since.
Belarusian: Васіль Быкаў
Russian: Василь Быков
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 10, 2021
لقد ولدت بين العذرية الغافية للجبال ، وعلى بعد خطوة من الموت ، عاطفة بكر غامضة وآسرة ، و أشاعت الحياة والظمأ والرهبة والحنين ..
إنّ أول فكرة كوّنتها عن الرواية هي إمكانية تحويلها لفيلم سينمائي من تلك الأفلام المحفزّة التي تروي قصص النجاة والكفاح من أجل البقاء ، فهي تحكي عن هروب أحد الجنود الروس المعتقلين في المعسكرات النازية أثناء الحرب العالمية الثانية ، والذي شاءت أقداره أن يتشارك رحلة الهرب مع فتاة إيطالية شيوعية الفكر والمبدأ في زمن الفاشية الإيطالية ، فتنشأ بينهما في رحاب الألب و في ظلال الموت والصعاب ، عاطفة نبيلة و شرارة حب أوقدت في قلبيهما الأمل و الرغبة في السعادة والحياة الكريمة ...
تحمل الرواية في سطورها أفكار و تطلعات إنسان مُحب لبلده بيلوروسيا ، وليس فقط رغبة جندي في الفرار والهرب .
وأعتقد أنني أنا أيضاً لن أنسى إيفان الروسي ، الإنسان النبيل ، الذي أبى إلا أن ينتهي كبطل .
لعلّ أسوأ ما في الرواية هي الطريقة التي كُتبت بها الحوارات الخاصة بجوليا ، والتي جاءت ركيكة لتُبين عدم اتقانها للروسية ، فكانت النتيجة كلمات تقرع أعصابي .
مع ذلك هذه الرواية تُخبرك كيف لثلاثة أيام أن تصنع الفارق الكبير والهائل في حياة إنسان ، و أن تُخلد مكانته في قلب أحدهم إلى الأبد .. 💙
إنّ أول فكرة كوّنتها عن الرواية هي إمكانية تحويلها لفيلم سينمائي من تلك الأفلام المحفزّة التي تروي قصص النجاة والكفاح من أجل البقاء ، فهي تحكي عن هروب أحد الجنود الروس المعتقلين في المعسكرات النازية أثناء الحرب العالمية الثانية ، والذي شاءت أقداره أن يتشارك رحلة الهرب مع فتاة إيطالية شيوعية الفكر والمبدأ في زمن الفاشية الإيطالية ، فتنشأ بينهما في رحاب الألب و في ظلال الموت والصعاب ، عاطفة نبيلة و شرارة حب أوقدت في قلبيهما الأمل و الرغبة في السعادة والحياة الكريمة ...
تحمل الرواية في سطورها أفكار و تطلعات إنسان مُحب لبلده بيلوروسيا ، وليس فقط رغبة جندي في الفرار والهرب .
وأعتقد أنني أنا أيضاً لن أنسى إيفان الروسي ، الإنسان النبيل ، الذي أبى إلا أن ينتهي كبطل .
لعلّ أسوأ ما في الرواية هي الطريقة التي كُتبت بها الحوارات الخاصة بجوليا ، والتي جاءت ركيكة لتُبين عدم اتقانها للروسية ، فكانت النتيجة كلمات تقرع أعصابي .
مع ذلك هذه الرواية تُخبرك كيف لثلاثة أيام أن تصنع الفارق الكبير والهائل في حياة إنسان ، و أن تُخلد مكانته في قلب أحدهم إلى الأبد .. 💙
June 12, 2021
Review to come.
October 29, 2022
Ivan, a soldier from a small town in Belarus, has just escaped from a concentration camp somewhere in either Germany or Austria. He’s desperate to evade the SS, this being the fourth time he’s freed himself from their clutches. On his way he encounters Giulia, a beautiful Italian woman who’d also escaped from her servitude at a nearby factory. They don’t speak the same language, and she doesn’t have the survival skills he does, so traversing the frigid Alps is a perilous task. Through broken words an understanding evolves and friendship grows as the Nazis loom in the background.
My TBR pile these days represents the gifts I was given for my 50th birthday. So, the books I see reflect the personalities of my friends, and a unique way of getting to know them. You saw that I’d read a wrestling book from a huge WWE fan and good old buddy. This time, it was my friends Olga and Andre, natives of Belarus, who gave me this novel of one of their homeland’s best-known authors.
I loved the beginning: truly an explosive start as we join Ivan in a fast-paced jailbreak. The tension of the escape is palpable and frightening. It’s a very active book, as all the happenings are detailed and all the descriptions are vivid. It’s a small cast of characters, and the story is set up such that you’re unlikely to know anyone in depth. But that seemed to gel OK with the desperation and speed of the story: they’re on the run, after all, so there’s no time for a long exposition.
It reads in the introduction that he’s a master of “psychological fiction.” I’m not sure that means, but if listing Ivan’s feelings, thoughts, and reflections counts for anything, I guess that’s true. Sometimes I thought there was too much “tell,” that Bykau would just tell me that Ivan had confidence and strength, or would go to lengths to “explain” what was going on in his mind. That said, the story was fast enough that this was understandable.
I liked the relationship between Ivan and Giulia: maybe a little conventional, but sweet and enjoyable just the same. Good epilogue as well. Doesn’t really take place in Belarus, but Ivan’s memories of the place were a good salve to his sufferings.
Thank you, Olga, Andre and Louisa for sharing a little bit of your culture with me!
My TBR pile these days represents the gifts I was given for my 50th birthday. So, the books I see reflect the personalities of my friends, and a unique way of getting to know them. You saw that I’d read a wrestling book from a huge WWE fan and good old buddy. This time, it was my friends Olga and Andre, natives of Belarus, who gave me this novel of one of their homeland’s best-known authors.
I loved the beginning: truly an explosive start as we join Ivan in a fast-paced jailbreak. The tension of the escape is palpable and frightening. It’s a very active book, as all the happenings are detailed and all the descriptions are vivid. It’s a small cast of characters, and the story is set up such that you’re unlikely to know anyone in depth. But that seemed to gel OK with the desperation and speed of the story: they’re on the run, after all, so there’s no time for a long exposition.
It reads in the introduction that he’s a master of “psychological fiction.” I’m not sure that means, but if listing Ivan’s feelings, thoughts, and reflections counts for anything, I guess that’s true. Sometimes I thought there was too much “tell,” that Bykau would just tell me that Ivan had confidence and strength, or would go to lengths to “explain” what was going on in his mind. That said, the story was fast enough that this was understandable.
I liked the relationship between Ivan and Giulia: maybe a little conventional, but sweet and enjoyable just the same. Good epilogue as well. Doesn’t really take place in Belarus, but Ivan’s memories of the place were a good salve to his sufferings.
Thank you, Olga, Andre and Louisa for sharing a little bit of your culture with me!
October 29, 2021
Vasil Bykau is one of the great Belarusian writers and 'Alpine Ballad' is one of his famous books.
The story told in 'Alpine Ballad' is set at the end of the Second World War. Ivan is a soldier in the Soviet army. He is from a small village in Belarus. He has been captured by the Germans and is in a camp with others. He tries escaping from the camp repeatedly but is caught everytime. Once he and his mates are working on defusing a bomb. But instead of defusing it, they make it explode. In the confusion, Ivan makes his escape. He leaves the camp and the village and ends up in the mountains, always looking behind his back to see whether the Germans are pursuing him with their dogs. In the mountains he bumps into a young woman called Giulia. She is Italian and she also seems to be a prisoner who has escaped from the Germans. These two fugitives go on a run into the mountains. What happens when a young man and a young woman get together and try to escape from their erstwhile captors? Magic happens, of course 😊 Are these two able to evade the bad guys and reach safety? You have to read the story to find out.
'Alpine Ballad' is a thrilling story of escape and a beautiful love story. It is beautiful, charming, moving, haunting. Vasil Bykau's description of the mountains and the meadow is so vivid that we feel we are actually there, and we can almost smell the grass and the flowers and hear the sound of the flowing stream. The relationship between Ivan and Giulia is so beautifully and delicately depicted in the book. I cried when I finished reading the last chapter.
I discovered that this book has been adapted into a movie. I want to watch that.
Have you read 'Alpine Ballad'? What do you think about it?
The story told in 'Alpine Ballad' is set at the end of the Second World War. Ivan is a soldier in the Soviet army. He is from a small village in Belarus. He has been captured by the Germans and is in a camp with others. He tries escaping from the camp repeatedly but is caught everytime. Once he and his mates are working on defusing a bomb. But instead of defusing it, they make it explode. In the confusion, Ivan makes his escape. He leaves the camp and the village and ends up in the mountains, always looking behind his back to see whether the Germans are pursuing him with their dogs. In the mountains he bumps into a young woman called Giulia. She is Italian and she also seems to be a prisoner who has escaped from the Germans. These two fugitives go on a run into the mountains. What happens when a young man and a young woman get together and try to escape from their erstwhile captors? Magic happens, of course 😊 Are these two able to evade the bad guys and reach safety? You have to read the story to find out.
'Alpine Ballad' is a thrilling story of escape and a beautiful love story. It is beautiful, charming, moving, haunting. Vasil Bykau's description of the mountains and the meadow is so vivid that we feel we are actually there, and we can almost smell the grass and the flowers and hear the sound of the flowing stream. The relationship between Ivan and Giulia is so beautifully and delicately depicted in the book. I cried when I finished reading the last chapter.
I discovered that this book has been adapted into a movie. I want to watch that.
Have you read 'Alpine Ballad'? What do you think about it?
February 10, 2022
Qué acabo de leer? Ante Vasil Bykov, los libros de motivos bélicos de Hemingway son versiones edulcoradas, complacientes, chetas, de lo que significa la guerra. Balada alpina te rompe.
March 6, 2025
Проста, але геніяльна.
January 10, 2017
This short but powerful novel begins with Ivan Tsyareshka escaping from a Nazi concentration camp in the Austrian Alps and embarking on a desperate flight to reach safety in Trieste. He is joined by another prisoner, an Italian woman, Giulia, whom he is at first reluctant to take along, fearing she will hold him back. But Ivan is an upright and compassionate man and cannot bring himself to abandon her. What follows is a tense and gripping escape tale of two people fighting against the odds to escape the Germans who are close behind them. As the two face inhospitable terrain, cold and hunger, and in spite of the language barrier, feelings begin to develop between them as Giulia gradually wins Ivan over. Although essentially a nail-biting story, flashbacks to earlier times round out the characters and give context to their predicament. Giulia comes from a bourgeois background, which makes Ivan suspicious of her at first, although she considers herself a Communist, whilst Ivan, although loyal to his country, is aware of the faultlines in Soviet society. This added complexity helps to draw the reader in and I found the book both immersive and compelling. Bykau writes vividly, with not a word wasted. The descriptions of the landscape sing out, while the suspense and dramatic tension are expertly maintained right to the end. It’s a sad and haunting tale, reflecting a harsh and brutal era. The author (1924-2003) is well-known in his native Belarus but we have had to wait until now for an English translation of this excellent novel. His work often features World War 2, which he knew from first-hand experience, adding to the authenticity of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and recommend it wholeheartedly. There is a 1965 Soviet film version to be enjoyed too.
December 3, 2016
Alpine Ballad is, as the title suggests, a beautiful book, uplifting and inspiring because it’s a testament to the human spirit even in times when it’s sorely tested.
Vasil Bykau (1924-2003) is well-known in Belarus and beyond for war-themed novels based on his own personal experience. This translation of Alpiyskaya Balada is the first to be published without Soviet censorship – it had apparently attracted their displeasure because there are some minor criticisms of Soviet life, though you and I in the 21st century might find it hard to see what they were upset about.
Alpine Ballad is the story of a Belarusian prisoner of the Nazis who manages to escape the camp when an allied bomb they were defusing went off. It’s towards the end of the war, and Ivan has been a prisoner for long enough to have witnessed some terrible things and to be very hungry. On the other hand, the privations he has experienced have toughened him up, which stands him in good stead for what lies ahead.
He flees into the mountains followed by an Italian girl called Guilia, also from the same POW camp. She is loud, impulsive and sunny-natured and he tries to shed her company because her erratic behaviour puts his escape at risk. As the ‘target badges’ sewn onto his clothes attest, he has escaped before, and he knows the perils and the punishment he faces if he survives and is brought back to the camp. But before long they reach an uneasy companionship and travel together.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2016/12/04/a...
Vasil Bykau (1924-2003) is well-known in Belarus and beyond for war-themed novels based on his own personal experience. This translation of Alpiyskaya Balada is the first to be published without Soviet censorship – it had apparently attracted their displeasure because there are some minor criticisms of Soviet life, though you and I in the 21st century might find it hard to see what they were upset about.
Alpine Ballad is the story of a Belarusian prisoner of the Nazis who manages to escape the camp when an allied bomb they were defusing went off. It’s towards the end of the war, and Ivan has been a prisoner for long enough to have witnessed some terrible things and to be very hungry. On the other hand, the privations he has experienced have toughened him up, which stands him in good stead for what lies ahead.
He flees into the mountains followed by an Italian girl called Guilia, also from the same POW camp. She is loud, impulsive and sunny-natured and he tries to shed her company because her erratic behaviour puts his escape at risk. As the ‘target badges’ sewn onto his clothes attest, he has escaped before, and he knows the perils and the punishment he faces if he survives and is brought back to the camp. But before long they reach an uneasy companionship and travel together.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2016/12/04/a...
December 12, 2020
Сильно. Зворушливо. До сліз
August 9, 2017
لو تغاضيت عن الأخطاء اللغوية ورداءة إختيار بعض المفردات في بعض الصفحات ، هذا إلى جانب الترجمة الرديئة التي جعلت من الرواية أقل قيمة أدبية ، ولو أستطعت قراءتها بلغتها الأصلية لكانت من الروايات التي لا تنسى .
تعود أحداث الرواية عندما أنتشرت المعسكرات في فترة النازية ، وعن نضال المعتقلين للحرية ، ومعاناتهم تحت سطوة الألمان السادية ، مستلهماً فاسيل بيكوف روايته عن حادثة شهدها حينما كان شاباً يافعاً عن فتاة نحيلة تبحث وفي عينيها الذعر عن حبيبها الهارب من المعتقل إيفان .
لو قرأها أحد مخرجي الأفلام السينمائية سيدرك على الفور الشهرة والأرباح الطائلة من وراء إخراج هذه الرواية .
تعود أحداث الرواية عندما أنتشرت المعسكرات في فترة النازية ، وعن نضال المعتقلين للحرية ، ومعاناتهم تحت سطوة الألمان السادية ، مستلهماً فاسيل بيكوف روايته عن حادثة شهدها حينما كان شاباً يافعاً عن فتاة نحيلة تبحث وفي عينيها الذعر عن حبيبها الهارب من المعتقل إيفان .
لو قرأها أحد مخرجي الأفلام السينمائية سيدرك على الفور الشهرة والأرباح الطائلة من وراء إخراج هذه الرواية .
November 13, 2016
4.5 stars
REVIEW: https://youtu.be/eszvaYejd8Y
REVIEW: https://youtu.be/eszvaYejd8Y
May 15, 2024
can't make up my mind if i should start to believe in love or kms after this book
October 16, 2022
I had really high expectations for this book. Actually, when my book club chose another book for our visit to Belarus, I still decided to read this book, because the synopsis sounded so good. A love story between a runaway Belarusian soldier and an Italian girl.
The mood of the novel does reflect the title "Alpine Ballad" very well. We spent three days following the escape of these two suffering souls. Unfortunately, I was left feeling empty, wanting of something more. The writing wasn't exactly mind blowing, which may be due to the translation. I have always had trouble when reading Eastern European literature because I come from a completely different background and lack knowledge in their history. Of course, the Nazis/Germans are depicted evil here. The Italian girl was completely enamored with Russia and was angrily trying to refuse to believe the rumors she heard about the Siberian prison camps. This is not a book that I will remember.
"The cause of that happiness was unclear. Could it be the high clear sky, or the beauty of the mountains, or the limitless expanse that lay before them, or, perhaps, the never-before-seen magical abundance of flowers, or even the marvelous smells mixed into one fragrant aroma? Something festive, movingly cordial was floating over those mountains and the meadow. It was actually difficult to believe in danger, captivity and the possibility of pursuit, and he wondered whether the previous six months of horrors with SS officers, death, the stench of crematories and the non-stop barking of Alsatians had been a dream. And if that was all reality, how could the immortal beauty of nature co-exist with it, what kind of great life power had separated and detached nature's purity from man's criminal madness?"
"And what did they kill for? For material gain, for the domination of a beastly ideology, for the control of a tiny handful of people over others? May German Nazism be damned forever! Will your pack of wolves never understand that you cannot build your happiness upon the great misery of millions? By destroying others, you will be the first to be poisoned and lose your capacity for joy. The crimes you commit will smother your heart with the foul blackness of hatred."
The mood of the novel does reflect the title "Alpine Ballad" very well. We spent three days following the escape of these two suffering souls. Unfortunately, I was left feeling empty, wanting of something more. The writing wasn't exactly mind blowing, which may be due to the translation. I have always had trouble when reading Eastern European literature because I come from a completely different background and lack knowledge in their history. Of course, the Nazis/Germans are depicted evil here. The Italian girl was completely enamored with Russia and was angrily trying to refuse to believe the rumors she heard about the Siberian prison camps. This is not a book that I will remember.
"The cause of that happiness was unclear. Could it be the high clear sky, or the beauty of the mountains, or the limitless expanse that lay before them, or, perhaps, the never-before-seen magical abundance of flowers, or even the marvelous smells mixed into one fragrant aroma? Something festive, movingly cordial was floating over those mountains and the meadow. It was actually difficult to believe in danger, captivity and the possibility of pursuit, and he wondered whether the previous six months of horrors with SS officers, death, the stench of crematories and the non-stop barking of Alsatians had been a dream. And if that was all reality, how could the immortal beauty of nature co-exist with it, what kind of great life power had separated and detached nature's purity from man's criminal madness?"
"And what did they kill for? For material gain, for the domination of a beastly ideology, for the control of a tiny handful of people over others? May German Nazism be damned forever! Will your pack of wolves never understand that you cannot build your happiness upon the great misery of millions? By destroying others, you will be the first to be poisoned and lose your capacity for joy. The crimes you commit will smother your heart with the foul blackness of hatred."
May 5, 2023
Greatest war story ever told
November 25, 2020
منذ فترة لم يمس قلبى ووجدانى، ولم يحرك مشاعرى، نص رقيق العبارة، جميل السرد،
كمثل : أنشودة الألب، فاسيل بيكوف، تسحر لُبّك، وتنتقل بكيانك وعقلك إلى أماكن الأحداث، وترجع عقودا من السنين، قاربت الثمانين، أبان فترة الحرب العالمية الثانية،
يهرب معتقلون من سجون النازيين، الشاب إيفان، البيلاروسى وبلاروسيا أحد مقاطعات الإتحاد السوفيتي،
يهرب من المعتقل، وعند هروبه يقابل جوليا الفتاة الايطالية المعتقلة أيضا فى سجون النازيين،
فى رحلة الهروب ومحاولة الوصول إلى بلدة تريسه،
يأخذك الكاتب فى رحلة شيقة إلى جبال الألب الشاهقة،
ترى هل يصل إيفان وجوليا إلى وجهتهما ؟
ترى هل اختلاف الألسن واللهجات والعرق، كل هذا الاختلاف يذوب عندما يجتمع المختلفون ؟
أجمل ما فى الرواية هذه، ( الخيال )
ارشحها بقوة لمن أراد السفر عبر القراءة ❤❤❤
كمثل : أنشودة الألب، فاسيل بيكوف، تسحر لُبّك، وتنتقل بكيانك وعقلك إلى أماكن الأحداث، وترجع عقودا من السنين، قاربت الثمانين، أبان فترة الحرب العالمية الثانية،
يهرب معتقلون من سجون النازيين، الشاب إيفان، البيلاروسى وبلاروسيا أحد مقاطعات الإتحاد السوفيتي،
يهرب من المعتقل، وعند هروبه يقابل جوليا الفتاة الايطالية المعتقلة أيضا فى سجون النازيين،
فى رحلة الهروب ومحاولة الوصول إلى بلدة تريسه،
يأخذك الكاتب فى رحلة شيقة إلى جبال الألب الشاهقة،
ترى هل يصل إيفان وجوليا إلى وجهتهما ؟
ترى هل اختلاف الألسن واللهجات والعرق، كل هذا الاختلاف يذوب عندما يجتمع المختلفون ؟
أجمل ما فى الرواية هذه، ( الخيال )
ارشحها بقوة لمن أراد السفر عبر القراءة ❤❤❤
September 29, 2022
як чалавеку, які валодае італьянскай мовай і ведае трошку нямецкай, мне было вельмі цікава назіраць над дзеяннямі і размовамі Джуліі і Івана. спачатку кніга ішла павольна, таму што ў асноўным я чытаю на ангельскай мове, але пад сярэдзіну я звывыкла да аўтарскага складу і пад канец мне было цяжка раставацца з гэтай гісторыяй. безумоўна буду чытать больш на роднай мове і знаёміцца з творчасцю айчынных аўтараў!
April 15, 2021
Одно из самых мощных по эмоциональному содержанию произведений которые я читал за последние время.
November 29, 2024
"Alpine Ballad" is a book that made me feel being plunged into the heart of a high-stakes escape. Right from the opening, I was gripped by Ivan Tsyareshka’s desperate dash for freedom from a Nazi concentration camp hidden deep in the Austrian Alps. The tension soared when he was joined by Giulia, an Italian woman escaping alongside him. Together, they faced not only the terror of the Nazis in pursuit but the unforgiving Alpine terrain as they tried to make it to the distant haven of Trieste. Vasil Bykau’s portrayal of their journey made it impossible to look away, keeping me on edge with every step they took.
The escape itself was pure chaos, and I was immediately caught up in the explosions and gunfire that surrounded Ivan. It was easy to feel the weight of his despair—how escaping was a desperate, almost hopeless act after enduring so much in the concentration camp. He carried only a pistol, and the odds were stacked against him. As Ivan ventured into the wilderness, Bykau gradually let us into his past, revealing a former escape attempt where he’d almost made it home to Ukraine before being betrayed. These glimpses into Ivan’s history deepened the story, making his fight for survival alongside Giulia even more intense and compelling.
The journey through the Alps was brutal, and Bykau’s descriptions made it feel painfully real. I could almost feel the biting cold, the gnawing hunger, and the exhaustion they endured. They had barely enough food—a single loaf of bread—to last, turning each day into a test of pure endurance. Bykau captured every hardship, making their journey feel like a testament to human will and hope. Each step they took was laced with uncertainty, and I was right there with them, feeling the intensity of their struggle.
Giulia was fascinating, marked as a political prisoner by her red triangle, and I could see her ideological leanings create a strange, sometimes tense bond with Ivan. While Ivan wasn’t a Soviet idealist, Giulia showed some sympathy for Russian ideals, despite her bourgeois roots, which made Ivan a bit wary. Watching them bond, communicate through a mixture of languages, and develop a cautious closeness made their partnership all the more complex and relatable. Bykau did a fantastic job capturing this relationship—both the tension and the quiet moments that allowed them to connect amidst their fight for survival.
There was never a dull moment; even in rare moments of calm, I could feel the threat of the Nazis hovering close by. They encountered a few other escapees, including one who had gone mad from the horrors he’d faced. These scenes heightened the sense of danger, reminding me just how fragile their situation was. The suspense only grew as they drew closer to safety, and Bykau’s storytelling made the final chapters unforgettable. The intensity kept building right up to the last, gripping pages.
Bykau’s writing style was unpolished, which suited the rawness of the story perfectly. While the translation might have lost some of the nuances, the emotional power of "Alpine Ballad" still shone through. This wasn’t just an escape tale for me; it was a deeply affecting story about survival, hope, and the harsh dehumanization of war. Bykau’s exploration of these dark themes made this book unforgettable, leaving me both exhilarated and profoundly moved.
The escape itself was pure chaos, and I was immediately caught up in the explosions and gunfire that surrounded Ivan. It was easy to feel the weight of his despair—how escaping was a desperate, almost hopeless act after enduring so much in the concentration camp. He carried only a pistol, and the odds were stacked against him. As Ivan ventured into the wilderness, Bykau gradually let us into his past, revealing a former escape attempt where he’d almost made it home to Ukraine before being betrayed. These glimpses into Ivan’s history deepened the story, making his fight for survival alongside Giulia even more intense and compelling.
The journey through the Alps was brutal, and Bykau’s descriptions made it feel painfully real. I could almost feel the biting cold, the gnawing hunger, and the exhaustion they endured. They had barely enough food—a single loaf of bread—to last, turning each day into a test of pure endurance. Bykau captured every hardship, making their journey feel like a testament to human will and hope. Each step they took was laced with uncertainty, and I was right there with them, feeling the intensity of their struggle.
Giulia was fascinating, marked as a political prisoner by her red triangle, and I could see her ideological leanings create a strange, sometimes tense bond with Ivan. While Ivan wasn’t a Soviet idealist, Giulia showed some sympathy for Russian ideals, despite her bourgeois roots, which made Ivan a bit wary. Watching them bond, communicate through a mixture of languages, and develop a cautious closeness made their partnership all the more complex and relatable. Bykau did a fantastic job capturing this relationship—both the tension and the quiet moments that allowed them to connect amidst their fight for survival.
There was never a dull moment; even in rare moments of calm, I could feel the threat of the Nazis hovering close by. They encountered a few other escapees, including one who had gone mad from the horrors he’d faced. These scenes heightened the sense of danger, reminding me just how fragile their situation was. The suspense only grew as they drew closer to safety, and Bykau’s storytelling made the final chapters unforgettable. The intensity kept building right up to the last, gripping pages.
Bykau’s writing style was unpolished, which suited the rawness of the story perfectly. While the translation might have lost some of the nuances, the emotional power of "Alpine Ballad" still shone through. This wasn’t just an escape tale for me; it was a deeply affecting story about survival, hope, and the harsh dehumanization of war. Bykau’s exploration of these dark themes made this book unforgettable, leaving me both exhilarated and profoundly moved.
December 21, 2016
Well, I stayed up late yet again reading this book, for which, by the way, I owe many, many thanks to the publisher.
Alpine Ballad is, on the face of it, an historical novel about the flight for freedom made by two prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp somewhere in the Austrian Alps after they'd managed to escape. The novel follows their journey and their hopes as they take uncertain steps toward freedom. And it's very, very good.
Now, I say "on the face of it," because there's way more than just a simple escape going on here. What it actually comes down to in this story is the human cost of war, and one major idea captured here is what Bykau refers to as "Entmenschung," referring to the dehumanizing practices of the Nazis, which he says is "the most dastardly of all evil deeds on earth." We see this idea at work throughout the novel, and it especially comes into play here as Ivan more than once has to make decisions that will require strength of spirit and an examination of his own humanity. Ivan totally understands this concept -- as we're told, once he was put into the camps and had the opportunity to observe what was going with "the underside of Nazism," he comes to realize that "death was not the worst thing that could happen during the war."
How these ideas play out through the novel I will leave to others to discover. The story gives Ivan a chance for reflection in the form of flashbacks, which not only help us to understand who he is as a person, but which also offers a look at life in the USSR in the 1930s, most especially the famines that killed so many people in the Ukraine.
If you read it as just another novel about an escape it will lessen the impact and importance of what the author has to say here -- this is a very serious read, one in which the entire book will give readers a great deal of food for thought.
another one I recommend.
much more here:
http://www.readingavidly.com/2016/12/...
Alpine Ballad is, on the face of it, an historical novel about the flight for freedom made by two prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp somewhere in the Austrian Alps after they'd managed to escape. The novel follows their journey and their hopes as they take uncertain steps toward freedom. And it's very, very good.
Now, I say "on the face of it," because there's way more than just a simple escape going on here. What it actually comes down to in this story is the human cost of war, and one major idea captured here is what Bykau refers to as "Entmenschung," referring to the dehumanizing practices of the Nazis, which he says is "the most dastardly of all evil deeds on earth." We see this idea at work throughout the novel, and it especially comes into play here as Ivan more than once has to make decisions that will require strength of spirit and an examination of his own humanity. Ivan totally understands this concept -- as we're told, once he was put into the camps and had the opportunity to observe what was going with "the underside of Nazism," he comes to realize that "death was not the worst thing that could happen during the war."
How these ideas play out through the novel I will leave to others to discover. The story gives Ivan a chance for reflection in the form of flashbacks, which not only help us to understand who he is as a person, but which also offers a look at life in the USSR in the 1930s, most especially the famines that killed so many people in the Ukraine.
If you read it as just another novel about an escape it will lessen the impact and importance of what the author has to say here -- this is a very serious read, one in which the entire book will give readers a great deal of food for thought.
another one I recommend.
much more here:
http://www.readingavidly.com/2016/12/...
April 28, 2025
Reading "Alpine Ballad" felt like being thrown into an intense, life-or-death race. From the very first page, I was hooked by Ivan Tsyareshka’s desperate escape from a Nazi concentration camp hidden in the Austrian Alps. The tension ratcheted up when he was joined by Giulia, an Italian woman who was also fleeing for her life. Together, they had to navigate not only the deadly pursuit of the Nazis but the unforgiving terrain of the Alps, all while trying to reach the safety of Trieste. Vasil Bykau’s portrayal of their harrowing journey was so gripping that I couldn’t look away, hanging on every step they took.
The escape itself was chaotic, and I was immediately swept up in the explosions and gunfire surrounding Ivan. The weight of his desperation, after enduring so much in the camp, was palpable. With only a pistol and the odds stacked against him, his quest for freedom seemed almost impossible. As Bykau gradually revealed more of Ivan’s past, including a failed escape attempt where he was betrayed, the stakes grew even higher. These glimpses into his history added layers to the story, making his fight for survival alongside Giulia feel even more personal and compelling.
The journey through the Alps was brutal, and Bykau’s vivid descriptions made it feel agonizingly real. I could almost feel the biting cold, the gnawing hunger, and the exhaustion they suffered with each passing day. With just a single loaf of bread to sustain them, every step became a test of sheer willpower. Giulia, marked as a political prisoner, added an intriguing layer to their dynamic. Watching her bond with Ivan—despite their differences—made their relationship fascinating. The tension between them, mixed with their quiet moments of connection, made this escape story all the more complex. Bykau’s writing captured their struggle and humanity so beautifully, making this journey unforgettable.
The escape itself was chaotic, and I was immediately swept up in the explosions and gunfire surrounding Ivan. The weight of his desperation, after enduring so much in the camp, was palpable. With only a pistol and the odds stacked against him, his quest for freedom seemed almost impossible. As Bykau gradually revealed more of Ivan’s past, including a failed escape attempt where he was betrayed, the stakes grew even higher. These glimpses into his history added layers to the story, making his fight for survival alongside Giulia feel even more personal and compelling.
The journey through the Alps was brutal, and Bykau’s vivid descriptions made it feel agonizingly real. I could almost feel the biting cold, the gnawing hunger, and the exhaustion they suffered with each passing day. With just a single loaf of bread to sustain them, every step became a test of sheer willpower. Giulia, marked as a political prisoner, added an intriguing layer to their dynamic. Watching her bond with Ivan—despite their differences—made their relationship fascinating. The tension between them, mixed with their quiet moments of connection, made this escape story all the more complex. Bykau’s writing captured their struggle and humanity so beautifully, making this journey unforgettable.
December 29, 2021
Някепска.
Першая мая аповесць Быкава, выбраў паўрандомна.
Меў пэўную перадузятасць: аутар, народны класік, пісаў выключна ваенны аповесці, ну што там можа быць выдатнага? Салдацкая драма, зноў і зноў?
Прачытаў - і знайшоў для сабе цікавосьці.
Да, герой - Іван з беларускай вёскі, герой і ура-патрыёт, і гоняцца за ім нелюдзі-фашысты з сабакамі.
Але гэты Іван мае цяжкі характар. І адбываецца ўсё ў аўстрыйскай глушы. І гераіня - Джулія - мае сваю дзіўную гісторыю і даволі экзатычныя погляды на свет. І сюжэт - не барацьба камунізма\рускасці з фашыстамі\замежным злом, а хутчэй - сурвівалізм і жыццё ў дзікім, шалёным свеце.
Увогуле - зялены свет Быкаву, маю намер паспрабаваць іншую аповесць праз нейкі час.
Першая мая аповесць Быкава, выбраў паўрандомна.
Меў пэўную перадузятасць: аутар, народны класік, пісаў выключна ваенны аповесці, ну што там можа быць выдатнага? Салдацкая драма, зноў і зноў?
Прачытаў - і знайшоў для сабе цікавосьці.
Да, герой - Іван з беларускай вёскі, герой і ура-патрыёт, і гоняцца за ім нелюдзі-фашысты з сабакамі.
Але гэты Іван мае цяжкі характар. І адбываецца ўсё ў аўстрыйскай глушы. І гераіня - Джулія - мае сваю дзіўную гісторыю і даволі экзатычныя погляды на свет. І сюжэт - не барацьба камунізма\рускасці з фашыстамі\замежным злом, а хутчэй - сурвівалізм і жыццё ў дзікім, шалёным свеце.
Увогуле - зялены свет Быкаву, маю намер паспрабаваць іншую аповесць праз нейкі час.
February 5, 2019
Suspenseful. More later!
Later . . .
The story of a man and woman who escape from a WWII concentration camp in Austria (a translation), both a story of survival and a romance that takes place over a 3-day period. After an explosion, a Belarusian man and a young Italian woman escape into the mountains. He has lost his shoes and must climb barefoot; she is wearing clogs. At first, Ivan finds his new companion bizarrely, even dangerously cheerful and he doesn't want her following him. But, he slowly becomes attached to her as they try to find their way to safety with the Nazis in pursuit. Eventually, they fall in love. But, the Nazis are closing in.
Heartbreaking and beautiful, Alpine Ballad is so gripping that I occasionally realized I was holding my breath. I am definitely going to seek out more of Bykau's writing.
Later . . .
The story of a man and woman who escape from a WWII concentration camp in Austria (a translation), both a story of survival and a romance that takes place over a 3-day period. After an explosion, a Belarusian man and a young Italian woman escape into the mountains. He has lost his shoes and must climb barefoot; she is wearing clogs. At first, Ivan finds his new companion bizarrely, even dangerously cheerful and he doesn't want her following him. But, he slowly becomes attached to her as they try to find their way to safety with the Nazis in pursuit. Eventually, they fall in love. But, the Nazis are closing in.
Heartbreaking and beautiful, Alpine Ballad is so gripping that I occasionally realized I was holding my breath. I am definitely going to seek out more of Bykau's writing.
November 21, 2023
Võibolla ei sobinud mulle see ilustustesse kalduv tõlge või siis ei tundunud itaallanna särtsakus (ta ju põgenes koonduslaagrist?) ja valgevenelase pikatoimelisus (hei, slaavlane ju ikkagi!), aga lugu jäi nende kolme faktori taha jalgu järele lohistama. Meeldisid ehedad ja vahetud loodus/toimumispaigakirjeldused.
August 23, 2024
[حماسه آلپ]
<داستانی پر جنب و جوش....
از طرفی شما را به یاد تعقیب و گریزهای 39 پله جان بوکان میندازه و از طرفی دیگر، رابرت جردنِ این ناقوس مرگ کیست همینگوی را به یاد شما خواهد آورد.>
#عاشقانه ای شورانگیز میان کوه های پوشیده از برف آلپ در جهنم آلمان نازی.... #
*کاش ترجمه کمی بهتر بود....
<داستانی پر جنب و جوش....
از طرفی شما را به یاد تعقیب و گریزهای 39 پله جان بوکان میندازه و از طرفی دیگر، رابرت جردنِ این ناقوس مرگ کیست همینگوی را به یاد شما خواهد آورد.>
#عاشقانه ای شورانگیز میان کوه های پوشیده از برف آلپ در جهنم آلمان نازی.... #
*کاش ترجمه کمی بهتر بود....
October 7, 2018
Удивительная история, очень вдохновляет на подвиги ради близких и не очень людей, человечества в целом.
March 13, 2019
Read it as a child, and I remember that this book brought tears to my eyes.
April 27, 2021
una novela magnífica, lo he disfrutado mucho
May 9, 2021
Будем жить!
January 31, 2024
обожнюю
May 11, 2024
На адным дыханні. Шмат эмоцый.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews