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Pushkin's Timeless Tales
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Revisiting Timeless Tales with a Fresh Perspective
summarizeEditor's Summary
I recently revisited A.S. Pushkin's fairy tales with my kid in the countryside, and it's been a real game-changer. I was hoping to connect with him through reading, but he's more into phone games. So, I grabbed this collection of stories, and it's been a great way to bond with him. The language is super accessible, and the rhythm of the words is really captivating. I've noticed my kid remembering the stories easily, and that's been a huge plus for our reading time together. What really surprised me is how well the stories hold up even after all these years. I've been impressed by how easy it is to get through the stories without feeling overwhelmed. And let's be real, it's been worth every penny.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
Ilişki9/10
HikayeKalitesi8/10
GörselEtkileşim7/10
Hello friends!
I'll admit it, sometimes our perspective on life changes, and we start seeing familiar things from a different angle.
I never thought it would happen with these classic tales, but I'm going to take on the challenge – our beloved Alexander Sergeyevich!
I'm currently in the countryside, where I've got a kid who's not exactly thrilled about reading.
After reading "The Karandash and Samodelkin" just once, he refused to even look at the pictures, and to be honest, I'm stumped.
He's only interested in phone games, and preferably without any breaks.
I'm not his parent, and I don't get to decide how he's raised.
I'll be leaving soon, and everything will go back to normal, but I still want to try and connect with him.
That's when I picked up this collection of A.S. Pushkin's fairy tales.
I grabbed it along with some other books, hoping we could read together.
My book is from 2011, and you can still find it in second-hand stores or online.
I bought it for my daughter, and the illustrations definitely played a big role.
They're vibrant, colorful, and perfectly capture the story and characters.
Sometimes I think they're the ones who inspire my crazy thoughts.
So, let's get to the stories.
Here are the five fairy tales you'll find in this book:
1. "The Tale of Tsar Saltan, of his Son the Renowned and Mighty Bogatyr Prince Gvidon Saltanovich, and of the Beautiful Princess Swan".
2. "The Tale of the Dead Princess and the Seven Bogatyrs".
3. "The Tale of the Priest and His Servant Balda".
4. "The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish".
5. "The Tale of the Golden Cockerel".
Who doesn't know them from childhood?
I mean, there aren't people who don't know them.
Even my little one has heard some of them.
And when I refused to hand over my phone at the first pout, he agreed to listen to what I was reading.
The craziest thing is that these fairy tales were the only thing he listened to attentively, without interrupting or repeating.
I guess it's no wonder they're timeless classics.
The rhythm in the text is hypnotic, with a soothing melody and perfect cadence.
It's like it's got a hold of you, and you can't look away.
That's exactly what came to mind when I watched him listen.
He quieted down and listened silently.
He didn't last long, but he did listen to The Fisherman and the Golden Fish all the way to the end.
Thank goodness!
The Fisherman and the Golden Fish
But I found myself thinking sarcastic thoughts like in the movie After the Rain when I was reading:
"-What am I supposed to do with that blasted old woman?!
Koschei: - What to do, what to do, drown her!"
(After the Rain children's movie-fairy tale)
No, seriously, why didn't I think of that before?
The old woman's greed, the fish's naivety, but the old man's foolishness?
The moral of the story is that the old woman was ruined by her greed, and the old man by his stupidity.
Check out the illustrations.
Remember, I mentioned in the beginning of this review how I think the illustrations might have made me look at these fairy tales in a different light.
The old woman's expression, the old man's expression.
I think it's pretty clear that the fish is the smart one in this story.
It's like, what's the point of having magical powers if you're just going to eat the Golden Fish to get them?
And then you'd just have to cook it or something.
So in this tale, the fish is the only one showing some sense.
It's the same with other fairy tales.
Some are just for kids, while others have a hidden message for adults.
Kids get the moral, while adults get the punchline.
Or maybe it's the other way around - the moral is the same, but it depends on how you look at it.
Take "The Tale of the Dead Princess and the Seven Bogatyrs" for example.
The fact that the stepfather stopped paying attention to his daughter after he married her is a pretty universal truth that's been passed down through the ages.
And it's still pretty common today.
The fact that the stepmother is annoyed with her stepdaughter is also pretty relatable.
But what really gets me thinking is why Prince Elysei kissed the dead princess in the first place.
I mean, I guess it's like when people kiss their loved ones before they're buried, but she's been dead for ages and there are all these stories about evil spirits and stuff.
It's like, he's kissing her... and she's stretching out to him... and then it's like something out of a horror movie.
I mean, I'm not the only one who's thought of that, right?
"Choice of the Witch" by Ilyona Vorvolvova, Kirill Kashcheev, the series about Irka KhorititsaAnd then there's "The Tale of Tsar Saltan"?
The tsar in his own kingdom is basically a non-entity - everyone else makes all the decisions for him, from who to bully to where to go and what to do.
Meanwhile, he's some kind of military leader in the current war, but back home, he's only good at eavesdropping on girls outside their windows.
That's what he was doing there, listening in on their gossip about their own, women's stuff?
Maybe it's possible to write it off as him just passing by, needing to get somewhere, and stopping...right outside someone else's fence, but his subsequent behavior is just as weird.
I'm talking about how he interacts with foreign merchants, asking them about life, while his late wife's relatives (whoever they are, and wherever she came from - he wrote one order, but it's unclear what it was about) won't let him get a word in edgewise.
On what grounds?
By what right?
Anyway, Gvidon's son isn't much better.
This little kid is still hurt by his dad and tries to one-up him all the time: the best, most valuable, and interesting thing I have on the island of Buyn, he'll say.
Meanwhile, he just wanders around, suffering, and the swans are crying for him.
But that's a classic move for all those Ivan-the-fool characters in Russian fairy tales.
They always do that, and everyone else feels sorry for them and helps them out.
I mean, the kid's got a pretty face, and it's not hard to ?
He can shoot an arrow from a bow pretty well, too!
I have to say, the only thing that all of these princes did well was show some empathy.
Which is actually pretty sad when you think about it - where did they learn that, who taught them, and how did they become so good at hitting a moving target?
And the way the Swan behaves is typical of a Russian woman.
She feels sorry for the poor guy, wants to help, and it's much easier to just do everything herself.
Against this backdrop, "The Tale of the Priest and His Servant Balda" is a breath of fresh air.
It's weird that this was written almost a century and a half ago, because nowadays, unfortunately, such employers (not just clergy, although there are some bad apples in every bunch) are not that rare.
In fact, you can spot them on every corner.
Many friends of mine work as contractors, and I can vouch for the quality of their work.
But when an employer tries to find an excuse not to pay...
It's just a story of everyday life, isn't it?
By the way, in the tale "The Golden Cockerel"
the theme of unscrupulous contractors and employers is also explored.
However, the main problem here is the poorly drawn contract.
The final price for the cockerel, which warns of the danger, is not specified.
But the king doesn't say a word about it.
Let's be real: fairy tales are full of loopholes.
And the one I'm talking about is the importance of having a clear contract.
Make sure you specify the order, the deposit, the timeline, and the final payment – and it's even better if it's all in writing, with three copies notarized.
But no, we're dealing with people who think a handshake is enough.
And let's be honest, everyone's word is their own, and they're the only ones who know what's true.
It's easier to just bury the problem than face the music.
I mean, even the wisest among us can get carried away sometimes.
But I digress.
The point is, you've got to think about who you're dealing with and whether you can trust them.
It's like the old saying goes: 'Voluntas prima tua.'
"Voluntas prima tua"
So, it's up to you to decide who you can trust.
Of course, you could try to read between the lines and find more hidden meanings.
But I think most people who read Pushkin's fairy tales can be divided into two groups: those who see the humor and chuckle to themselves, and those who get upset and start tapping their feet in annoyance.
Although, to be fair, Pushkin was probably just having a laugh at his readers' expense.
Or maybe he was in on the joke with them – it's hard to say.
I do want to mention that Pushkin's fairy tales are surprisingly free of outdated language.
Unlike some other classics like 'The Irony of Fate' by Yershov.
At least, I didn't have to look up too many words to understand them.
As for the nephew, I'm not even going to get started on that.
Let's just say he's not exactly the most attentive listener.
Anyway, I highly recommend reading Pushkin's fairy tales to anyone and everyone – you're bound to find something that resonates with you.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is this collection suitable for kids of all ages?
While the stories are timeless, some might be more suitable for younger kids. It's essential to review the content and use your discretion as a parent or caregiver.
Can I read this collection with kids who are struggling with reading?
Yes, the accessible language and engaging stories make it an excellent choice for kids who are struggling with reading. It's a great way to build their confidence and make reading more enjoyable.
Are the stories in this collection interactive?
While the stories are engaging, they might not be as interactive as modern media. However, they still offer a great way to bond with kids and encourage reading.
Can I expect a comprehensive collection of A.S. Pushkin's fairy tales?
This collection is a great starting point, but you might find that it's not as comprehensive as modern readers might expect. However, it's still an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore Pushkin's works.
Are the stories in this collection visually engaging?
While the stories are engaging, they might not be as visually engaging as modern media. However, the illustrations are still beautiful and add to the overall reading experience.
Can I read this collection with kids who are more into modern media?
Yes, this collection is still a great choice for kids who are more into modern media. The engaging stories and accessible language make it an excellent way to bond with kids and encourage reading.
Is this collection suitable for kids with special needs?
While the stories are engaging, they might not be suitable for kids with special needs. It's essential to review the content and use your discretion as a parent or caregiver.
Can I expect a lot of breaks in the stories?
While the stories are engaging, they might not be as interactive as modern media. However, they still offer a great way to bond with kids and encourage reading.
check_circlePros
- •Accessible language that's easy for kids to understand
- •Catching rhythm of the words that keeps readers engaged
- •Memorable stories that stick with you
- •Great way to bond with kids and encourage reading
- •Holds up well even after many years
- •Easy to get through the stories without feeling overwhelmed
- •Beautiful illustrations that add to the overall reading experience
- •A great starting point for exploring A.S. Pushkin's works
cancelCons
- •Some kids might find it too slow-paced compared to phone games
- •Not all kids will be interested in reading, no matter how engaging the stories are
- •The stories might not be as interactive as modern media
- •It's not a magic solution to get kids to read – it still takes effort and patience
- •The collection might not be as comprehensive as modern readers might expect
- •The stories might not be as visually engaging as modern media
- •Some stories might be more suitable for younger kids
- •It's essential to review the content and use your discretion as a parent or caregiver
