Ruslan and Ludmila

By D. M. Thomas

Alexander Pushkin’s epic magic-realist tale is brought vividly to life in this superb translation by D. M. Thomas.

Drawing on the Russian folklore of Pushkin’s childhood, the poem recounts the abduction of Princess Ludmila by the evil wizard Chernomor and the attempt by the brave knight Ruslan to rescue his bride. Ruslan must embark on a perilous quest, encountering an intriguing cast of characters – including a hermit, a witch and a pugnacious floating head – before he can be reunited with his love.

Ruslan and Ludmila is a vibrantly colourful blend of traditional chivalry, outrageous humour and exciting escapades: a gorgeous display of the poet's astonishing imagination.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: Feb 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781471177460

D. M. Thomas

D. M. Thomas is a poet and novelist. His novel The White Hotel (1981) is considered a modern classic, and has been translated into over thirty languages. He is also acclaimed as a translator of Pushkin and Anna Akhmatova.  

Book preview

CANTO ONE

I bring to light a vanished day,

Deeds that survived the ages’ testing.

Vladimir the Bright-Sun held sway

In a high banquet chamber, feasting

With doughty sons and friends. The host

Rose smiling to propose a toast,

Raising head-high his heavy glass,

To Prince Ruslan, to whom will pass

His youngest daughter. As with most

Feasts in old Russia, all was measured,

Quite slow; such was the ceremony

Of feasts, the eating, drinking, leisured;

The goblets circled without hurry,

The bearers moved about quite gravely,

Keeping the company well-wined,

With lots of froth; as was behovely,

Then steeply, from the waist, inclined.

Talk, laughs, created an unceasing

And joyous buzz the table round;

Then, over all, a voice most pleasing

And, too, a lyre’s sweet rippling sound;

Now all were silent, and delighted

To hear the enchanting bard Bayan

Singing of Lel¹ who has united

Lovely Ludmila and Ruslan.

Into impatient longing sinking,

Ruslan is scarcely eating, drinking;

Darling Ludmila holds his gaze,

He burns, he knits his brows, he sighs,

Absently plucks at his moustache

Reviews for Ruslan and Ludmila

[Paul Lyons · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful translation. It's great the way Pushkin weaves moments of personal confession and playfulness into this magical tale, somehow anchoring it to the earth.