Description

Book Synopsis
The first example of the psychological novel in Russia, A Hero of Our Time influenced Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Chekhov, and other great nineteenth-century masters that followed. Its hero, Pechorin, is Byronic in his wasted gifts, his cynicism, and his desire for any kind of action-good or ill-that will stave off boredom. Outraging many critics when it was first published in 1840, A Hero of Our Time follows Pechorin as he embarks on an exciting adventure involving brigands, smugglers, soldiers, rivals, and lovers.

This edition includes a new introduction, chronology, suggestions for further reading, maps, and full explanatory notes.


 



Trade Review
"Natasha Randall's English, in her new translation, has exactly the right degree of loose velocity. . . . (Nabokov's version, the best-known older translation, is a bit more demure than Randall's, less savage.)"
-James Wood, London Review of Books

"[A] smart, spirited new translation."
-The Boston Globe

"One of the most vivid and persuasive portraits of the male ego ever put down on paper."
-Neil LaBute, from the Foreword

A Hero of Our Time

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by Mikhail Lermontov, Paul Foote

    £11.57

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 20 Oct 2026.

    5 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov

      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Classics
      Published 1 October 2001
      ISBN-13 9780140447958
      978-0140447958
      ISBN-10 0140447954

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The first example of the psychological novel in Russia, A Hero of Our Time influenced Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Chekhov, and other great nineteenth-century masters that followed. Its hero, Pechorin, is Byronic in his wasted gifts, his cynicism, and his desire for any kind of action-good or ill-that will stave off boredom. Outraging many critics when it was first published in 1840, A Hero of Our Time follows Pechorin as he embarks on an exciting adventure involving brigands, smugglers, soldiers, rivals, and lovers.

      This edition includes a new introduction, chronology, suggestions for further reading, maps, and full explanatory notes.


       



      Trade Review
      "Natasha Randall's English, in her new translation, has exactly the right degree of loose velocity. . . . (Nabokov's version, the best-known older translation, is a bit more demure than Randall's, less savage.)"
      -James Wood, London Review of Books

      "[A] smart, spirited new translation."
      -The Boston Globe

      "One of the most vivid and persuasive portraits of the male ego ever put down on paper."
      -Neil LaBute, from the Foreword

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account