Discuss The Captain's Daughter

[Scott]

Please use this topic to discuss the November 2012 book of the month, The Captain's Daughter by Alexander Pushkin. Please wait until you have finished the book before reading this topic because this topic may contain spoilers.

[vsc_vet_tech]

I have to say that this book was okay...I finished it, so at least there is that. I think that it flew over a lot of things that could have been written in more detail, but this might just be how books of that time were written. I was happy in the end when Peter and Maria were able to be married. I do hope that some of the future books of the month will be more to my liking.

[camilegordon]

best book ever . . finished it in 2 evenings, cant recomend enough

[emmawatson026]

i also like this book very much

[proudmom25]

I still have to read this!! I've been so busy but I will be back to post my opinion!! Sounds like it will be good tho

[jomarie]

I just finished The Captain's Daughter by Pushkin. When I started this book, I was a little nervous about Russian names and could I remember who was who. But I got into the story and never had a problem. Pushkin's descriptions and dialogue are wonderful. Thanks to those who nominated it for the November book.

[jcitroen]

I must admit I was a little disappointed. This book was my first introduction to Pushkin and the jury is still out on whether I will read another. It is an easily read simple Russian tale that was reasonably enjoyable but it is told without the richness that Tolstoy brings to his stories. Although Peter Andreitch, is undoubtedly noble in his sense of duty both towards the Empress and his love, Maria, the characters were never really developed and lacked depth. It's possible that they may come to life more with a second reading but I'm pretty sure I won't be making that effort for a while at least.

[emmawatson026]

Hi i am also read this book this is really good.

[Diane B]

This was the first time reading Pushkin for me and I really enjoyed it. I was a little apprehensive about dated and hard-to-read language, but despite the 150+ years that have gone by since he wrote the story it was easy to follow. I really liked the way Pushkin can tell a good story, draw you in. All the historical stuff was interesting too - the way people lived and thought at that time. I got a book with several of Pushkin's short stories and read them all - very entertaining. Apparently his poetry is amazing. I think the story good and would recommend it. Thank you to all who recommended and voted for this book. So great to get ideas for good books from you all!

[AlectMaster]

I read this one too. Great book.

[iflowers]

Pushkin is considered to be the father of Russian Literary Language. His best work (in my opinion) is Eugene Onegin. I like The Captain's Daughter, still I think it's valued mostly because it was a reflection of the historic period - a story about Yemelyan Pugachev who was pronounced an outlaw by the government. What Pushkin tried to show is that Yemelyan Pugachev was a human being and not the bloody murder as the government tried to paint him. He took from the rich and gave to the poor.

[Williamz]

An epic novel spanning three generations and two continents, Leah Fleming's "The Captain's Daughter" has been meticulously researched and is beautifully written. Its unpretentious but lyrical style make it a joy to read. The storyline is plausible, where it could have been hackneyed, and despite it covering such a large time span the plot never loses momentum. Each character is carefully crafted and developed and the dialogue is realistic. It is a novel which could be enjoyed in one sitting. I read it over a period of weeks and never once lost its thread: a tribute, I think, to the style and great storytelling of this talented author. A thoroughly pleasurable read.