The Talisman. from the Russian of Pushkin
The Talisman is a novel by George Borrow that tells the story of a young man named Ambrose who sets out on a journey to find his true love, Matilda. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and meets interesting characters, including a gypsy woman who gives him a talisman that helps him overcome his challenges. The book is known for its vivid descriptions of Russian culture and customs, as well as its themes of love, adventure, and self-discovery.
By George Borrow · First published 1836 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Fantasy · 325 words
First lines
Where fierce the surge with awful bellow / Doth ever lash the rocky wall; / And where the moon most brightly mellow / Dost beam when mists of evening fall; / Where midst his harem's countless blisses / The Moslem spends his vital span, / A Sorceress there with gentle kisses / Presented me a Talisman.
And said: until thy latest minute / Preserve, preserve my Talisman; / A secret power it holds within it -- / 'Twas love, true love the gift did plan. / From pest on land, or death on ocean, / When hurricanes its surface fan, / O object of my fond devotion! / Thou scap'st not by my Talisman.
What this Textopian page supports
The Talisman. from the Russian of Pushkin is listed on Textopian as a short story by George Borrow, dated 1836 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George Borrow
- Date: 1836 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Fantasy, Adventure, Translation
- Length: 325 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Talisman. from the Russian of Pushkin by George Borrow
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, emotion, and the supernatural are central, aligning with Romantic literary traditions.
- Fantasy — The presence of a magical talisman and a sorceress introduces elements of fantasy.
- Adventure — References to travel and exotic locations suggest an adventurous backdrop.
Tags
Russian literature · Pushkin · translation · 19th century · poetry · romanticism · folklore · mythology · adventure · prose · cultural heritage · historical context