Ruslan and Lyudmila

A new verse translation of Pushkin’s first major work, a fantastic narrative poem based on Russian folklore that later inspired Glinka’s famous opera Spirited away by the evil sorcerer Chernomer, Lyudmila awaits rescue by her beloved Ruslan. Before he can secure her release, however, the gallant Ruslan must first endure all the trials and tribulations that a malevolent world can throw at him. Full of daring adventure, and peopled with an extraordinary collection of magical—and monstrous—characters, the resulting epic is a brilliantly ironic retelling of the medieval fairy-tale world of evil sorcerers, chivalrous knights, and damsels in distress.