Reviews

Hadji Murád by Leo Tolstoy

makragic's review against another edition

3.0

Hadji Murat chronicles the life of the eponymous hero who came to personify the resistance of the Caucasus to Russian imperialism. The work was published posthumously and reflects an anger and disillusionment with Czarism that perhaps explains why Tolstoy chose not to make the manuscript public.

Good read in general.

katerina273's review against another edition

big man leo really ate with this one. distressing and very good. all the married russian women simping for hadji murád was quite amusing. the thistle flower :(. i am doing russian history at school and this was very interesting and informative. the tsar POV chapter was very insightful what was sir up to who let him be in charge it certainly wasn't God. my edition had so many typos omg it was hilarious. justice for that poor man!

sylviewolff's review against another edition

3.0

read for russian history class. spent much of it confused. but it was short and pretty interesting. prob wouldn't read again but also it's like 100 pages idk

imbrenda's review against another edition

5.0

I can't believe this hasn't been adapted for a movie or a miniseries, ever. Easily one of the best personal stories of the personal cost of imperial overreach. All the wonder you expect from Tolstoy but in a package 1/10 the size.

andromedace's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

rachelhelps's review against another edition

3.0

Tolstoy's last "novel" is an epic in under 200 pages. While initially I thought Tolstoy's previous moral absolutes were not present in Hadji Murat, I am currently doubting this idea. There is definitely the same indictment of superficiality and interactions that take place for egocentric reasons.

sarahalfa's review against another edition

5.0

it has been a while since i read a book that has impacted me deeply, or that i have completely enjoyed. hadji murat emerged as a hero and died as one. his strength lies within his mannerisms and his character; his loyalty; his strength in battle. this commentary on the nature of the state of war and political relations, especially between two very opposing cultures, is done so perfectly.

my only wish would be that this was longer like tolstoy’s other work. but perhaps it is this wanting of more that solidifies this piece further as completely wonderful.

juliaehill's review against another edition

3.0

I love Tolstoy, and I love reading about the Caucasus, but this one didn't grip me like Tolstoy's other work. There were some epic descriptive passages and political intrigue that stretched from the Hermitage to Chechnya, but the story had a few too many characters for the novella format and got bogged down in a few too many side stories.

whatswrongwithzico's review against another edition

2.0

"Don't despair of becoming perfect."
Leo Tolstoy

lcush98's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0