Reviews

A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov

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historylover's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

sidharthvardhan's review against another edition

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3.0

"Some were dreadfully insulted, and quite seriously, to have held up as a model such an immoral character as A Hero of Our Time; others shrewdly noticed that the author had portrayed himself and his acquaintances. A Hero of Our Time, gentlemen, is in fact a portrait, but not of an individual; it is the aggregate of the vices of our whole generation in their fullest expression."

These words from author's preface were quoted by Camus in the begining of 'The Fall'. To be honest, in Camus' Stranger too, you meet a character that shows vices of his generation (racism, sexism, cynicism, nihlism).

Perchorin is same - only 'A Hero of Our Time' is a far lighter read than Camus' works. He reminds me of some of lead characters in some of Bollywood movies - who too are handsome themselves and who too are admired for their ability to make jokes on and cheat on people lacking physical beauty in that ridiculously limited traditional sense of the word, women or simpler minds. His other vices include habit of taking needless risks, inability to apreciate anything and complete lack of values. I don't know what exactly they mean Byronic character is - but I think that is what they are like. Characters who have qualities which we admire consciously or unconsciously instead of qualities that are worthy of admiration.

jenimahalesva's review against another edition

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mysterious sad medium-paced

3.0

sofiiaivann's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

8797999's review against another edition

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4.0

Although I found the main character very unlikeable I thought this was a very enjoyable read and a hidden gem amongst Russian literature, I can see why the heavyweights of Russian literature held the author in such esteem.

kgfugate8299's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.0

poenaestante's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

This book should be called Tales of A 19th Century Russian F*ckboi. It's nearly as relevant today as then. It may be just because I'm currently watching Our Flag Means Death, but I could totally see Taika Waititi adapting this. This sort of thing also brings to mind Yorgos Lanthimos.

Content Warnings