Nikolai Leskov
1873
Around 300 pages
I can't believe my last post was almost two months ago! I have several good excuses for this. In the past month and a half, I have moved then had my long distance boyfriend visit for two weeks. On Friday, I had surgery that will leave me confined to my bed for months. The silver lining of this is that I will have plenty of time to read and update this blog! My pain is your gain.
Basically, we have an insufferable male character who was "promised to God" by his mother. He refuses to join a monastery and so must suffer through many trials. I almost felt like this was a parody of a Russian novel since everyone was so miserable. At one point, a man ordered vodka. He said he couldn't pay for it so instead ate the glass.
With a name like "the Enchanted Wanderer" I expected some bright eyed, earnest person who explores the world. Instead, we got a complete psychopath who gives away babies and tortures cats. What a waste of time that was. I am in quite a bit of pain right now and I need really amazing books! Hopefully the next one will impress.
RATING: **--- (two stars only because it was a bit short)
Interesting Facts:
Critics were generally lukewarm about this book upon its first release.
UP NEXT: Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. I have actually heard of this one so maybe it will be a good read.
