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Kobzar Taras Shevchenko 9781909156548 Books

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Kobzar Taras Shevchenko 9781909156548 Books

I wanted to be a literature professor when I grew up, but instead ended up a mathematician, but deep down literature and books have always been an important part of my life. I have considered Taras Shevchenko one of my favorite poet for most of my life and this is the first known English translation of his entire collection of poetry. I find his poetry mysterious, and mystical and timeless. I have taken independent study University classes in "understading Shevchenko" because so much of his poetry has been analyzed and reanalyzed and debated. Personally, I even know his poem, "the Plundered Grave" by heart in modern Ukrainian and have seen it in the original old Slavonic. This poem evokes memories of a different time and place, historical legends, the tears of a nation enslaved as well as personal memories of my Grandmother teaching it to me by rote when I was barely 5 years old. This year we celebrate 200 years since his birth and I ordered this book with no consideration of the historical changes that face Ukraine today only to realize that his poetry is equally relevant as I write this review.

One of his poems, written about 150 years ago is addressed "To the Dead, the Living, and to Those Yet Unborn, My Countrymen all Who Live in Ukraine and Outside Ukraine." (It is a lengthy poem and this is not the translation from this book. It is from my personal, albeit limited, collection of English translations of Shevchenko's work, and I apologize that I do not know who to credit with this translation)

" Men stand and trade their mutual chains
And barter truth for filthy gains,
Committing shame against the Lord
By harnessing for black reward
People in yokes and sowing evil
In fields commissioned by the Devil...'

and further in the poem Shevchenko writes,

"Look well into our history’s store
And read it closely, o’er and o’er;
That glorious tale you may have heard,—
But take it slowly, word by word;
No punctuation mark omit,
For even commas lend their bit;
Examine everything you see;
Then ask yourselves: Now, who are we?
Whose children? Of what fathers born?
By whom enslaved in utter scorn?
Then only will you understand
The Brutuses of this your land
Slaves, grovelers of Muscovy"

Reading this particular poem, it is truly as if he knew what Ukraine would face in the 21st century and a reflection of the fact that Ukraine has been under a strangers yoke though much of it's history.. As much as I think I understand his works, there are limitations to my knowledge of the Ukrainian language and history since I was born and educated in the west. Having a copy in English is invaluable because of the fine nuances that the author has thoughtfully explained. I had one question that had been bothering me for numerous years. The author, in one sentence, solved that bothersome decades old dilemma " why did he say that?" The translation is not so much classically poetic as emotionally poetic. The sense of meaning is there. And the elaborated asterisked passages are invaluable. If you love literature or want to understand the real history of Ukraine or even want to see a different society's perspective on 19th century women's issues you should find this book invaluable. If you are a lover or art, you need to include this in your collection because Shevchenko was an exceptional artist and even that aspect of his life is an amazing story on it's own.


Tags : Kobzar [Taras Shevchenko] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Masterfully fulfilled by Peter Fedynsky, Voice of America journalist and expert on Ukrainian studies,Taras Shevchenko,Kobzar,Glagoslav Publications Ltd.,190915654X,European - General,General,History,History - General History,History General,Literary CriticismRussian & Former Soviet Union,Poetry : Continental European,Poetry : Russian & Former Soviet Union,PoetryEuropean - General,PoetryRussian & Former Soviet Union,Russian & Former Soviet Union

Kobzar Taras Shevchenko 9781909156548 Books Reviews

The English translation of The Complete Kobzar, translated by Peter Fedynsky, is a fascinating work of poems by the most notable poet in Ukrainian history, Taras Shevchenko. The collection is incredibly significant to the Ukrainian peoples as well as peoples of the world.

One man, Shevchenko, influenced a whole Soviet nation through word and picture. He gave a sense of identity to people who were long oppressed under Soviet rule by using the image of a Kobzar. Kobzar and kobza are easily identifiable as Ukrainian symbols of story-telling and sharing. Shevchenko essentially was a Kobzar; his stories, old or contemporary, acted as his kobza. With his works, Shevchenko gave light to what being Ukrainian meant and what Ukraine as a nation looked like. For example, within the first stanza of The Caucasus Shevchenko describes massive mountains “shrouded in clouds, seeded by grief and showered with blood”. Not only does his work give a detailed look at the Ukrainian landscape but it also depicts the struggle that Ukrainians suffered under Soviet rule. Shevchenko also personified Ukraine through his works and in doing so he consequently created the Ukrainian identity that separated Ukraine from its Soviet comrades.

Shevchenko’s work is important because it not only supported the development of the Ukrainian language and literature, but it also started to define Ukraine as a nation and Ukrainian as a nationality. Shevchenko’s poems were very powerful and contained many messages about relationships Ukraine held with other nations. His poem Kateryna directly tells Ukrainian women not to trust Muscovite men and their conquests. In some of Shevchenko’s poems he ridicules Russian diplomats, even Tsar Nicolas at one point! These poems, particularly Dream (A Comedy), clearly were more satirical and offensive because they got Shevchenko thrown in jail over unsatisfactorily describing the Tsar’s wife.

The Kobzar is a great read and has a large range of poems that span from entertainment to lament. A very intriguing and thought-inspiring work of art, it contributes greatly to the understanding of the modern Ukrainian identity and what it means to be Ukrainian today. I would highly recommend the collection of poems to anyone, even if they are not interested in Ukrainian culture, because the language of Shevchenko’s poems is very captivating and it paints vivid pictures of an interesting culture.
This is truly a labor of love - the Premier World Class Translation - part of the Ukrainian lexicon on Shevchenko!

Much more then anyone could have expected! Especially valuable were the footnotes - sometimes I wished for more details. Very inspiring for the non Ukrainian reader!

The included section of Titles in English and Ukrainian - very helpful! Selection of art works very appropriate.

NEXT - "teacher version" including the Ukrainian version on the opposing page for quick reference and comparison - most useful for teaching Ukrainian versus English reading! Huge educational value.

This work represents the highest literary ambitions of Ukrainians in the diaspora to spread the richness of Ukrainian culture, literary might and persistent pursuit of independence / statehood.

Undoubtedly - completing this work has made Peter Fedynsky one of the foremost experts on Shevchenko living today!!!!!

Mr. Fedynsky - Expand and continue this valuable work.
I wanted to be a literature professor when I grew up, but instead ended up a mathematician, but deep down literature and books have always been an important part of my life. I have considered Taras Shevchenko one of my favorite poet for most of my life and this is the first known English translation of his entire collection of poetry. I find his poetry mysterious, and mystical and timeless. I have taken independent study University classes in "understading Shevchenko" because so much of his poetry has been analyzed and reanalyzed and debated. Personally, I even know his poem, "the Plundered Grave" by heart in modern Ukrainian and have seen it in the original old Slavonic. This poem evokes memories of a different time and place, historical legends, the tears of a nation enslaved as well as personal memories of my Grandmother teaching it to me by rote when I was barely 5 years old. This year we celebrate 200 years since his birth and I ordered this book with no consideration of the historical changes that face Ukraine today only to realize that his poetry is equally relevant as I write this review.

One of his poems, written about 150 years ago is addressed "To the Dead, the Living, and to Those Yet Unborn, My Countrymen all Who Live in Ukraine and Outside Ukraine." (It is a lengthy poem and this is not the translation from this book. It is from my personal, albeit limited, collection of English translations of Shevchenko's work, and I apologize that I do not know who to credit with this translation)

" Men stand and trade their mutual chains
And barter truth for filthy gains,
Committing shame against the Lord
By harnessing for black reward
People in yokes and sowing evil
In fields commissioned by the Devil...'

and further in the poem Shevchenko writes,

"Look well into our history’s store
And read it closely, o’er and o’er;
That glorious tale you may have heard,—
But take it slowly, word by word;
No punctuation mark omit,
For even commas lend their bit;
Examine everything you see;
Then ask yourselves Now, who are we?
Whose children? Of what fathers born?
By whom enslaved in utter scorn?
Then only will you understand
The Brutuses of this your land
Slaves, grovelers of Muscovy"

Reading this particular poem, it is truly as if he knew what Ukraine would face in the 21st century and a reflection of the fact that Ukraine has been under a strangers yoke though much of it's history.. As much as I think I understand his works, there are limitations to my knowledge of the Ukrainian language and history since I was born and educated in the west. Having a copy in English is invaluable because of the fine nuances that the author has thoughtfully explained. I had one question that had been bothering me for numerous years. The author, in one sentence, solved that bothersome decades old dilemma " why did he say that?" The translation is not so much classically poetic as emotionally poetic. The sense of meaning is there. And the elaborated asterisked passages are invaluable. If you love literature or want to understand the real history of Ukraine or even want to see a different society's perspective on 19th century women's issues you should find this book invaluable. If you are a lover or art, you need to include this in your collection because Shevchenko was an exceptional artist and even that aspect of his life is an amazing story on it's own.