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Eugene Onegin

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1832

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Book Brief

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Alexander Pushkin

Eugene Onegin

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1832
Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Setting

Imperial Russia • 1820s

Publication Year

1832

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1220L

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Super Short Summary

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin tells the story of a disillusioned and wealthy man, Eugene Onegin, who inherits a country estate from his deceased uncle and befriends a poet named Vladimir Lensky. Lensky introduces Onegin to his fiancée, Olga, and her reserved sister Tatyana, who falls for Onegin and writes him a love letter. Onegin dismisses her, later causing an envious Lensky to challenge him to a fatal duel. Burdened with regret, Onegin travels abroad; years later, back in Russia, he finds Tatyana married and ultimately rejects his renewed advances. A duel resulting in death appears in the book.

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Romantic

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.4

66,811 ratings

75%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin beautifully captures the intricacies of Russian society with rich poetic style and profound character development. Reviewers commend its linguistic elegance and emotional depth, though some find its narrative pace slow. Overall, it's celebrated for its literary craftsmanship and cultural impact despite minor pacing issues.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Eugene Onegin?

A reader who delights in intricate character studies, poetic prose, and a peek into 19th-century Russian society will enjoy Alexander Pushkin's Eugene Onegin. Comparable to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, this classic appeals to fans of romantic entanglements and societal critique.

4.4

66,811 ratings

75%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Eugene Onegin

A charming, charismatic man known among the Russian elite, he feels disillusioned with society and harbors a cynical worldview that contrasts with the public persona he presents.

A young woman who initially embodies innocence and romantic idealism, she experiences significant personal growth and change amid the societal expectations of her time.

An optimistic romantic and poet, he values beauty and purity in life, often contrasting Onegin's more cynical views on society.

Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Setting

Imperial Russia • 1820s

Publication Year

1832

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1220L

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