First published 1834
This collection brings together all of Pushkin's prose fiction in fresh translations by Pevear and Volokhonsky. The stories span from passionate tales of romantic obsession and betrayal to witty comedic narratives. Among the standout pieces, "The Queen of Spades" follows a man's dangerous pursuit of a gambling secret, while "The Tales of the Late Ivan Petrovich Belkin" presents a series of interconnected stories within a frame narrative. "The Captain's Daughter" offers historical fiction set against the backdrop of Russian rebellion. The collection also features satirical stories told through letters and other imaginative works. Pushkin's prose reveals the same genius that made him legendary as a poet, capturing the full range of human experience from high drama to gentle humor. These translations preserve both the literary excellence and accessibility that made Pushkin beloved across generations of readers.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: unreliable-narrator
Setting: Russia
Period: 19th-Century
512 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics