The Tale of Hodja Nasreddin: Disturber of the Peace

This is a great novella. The story line is harmless, but beneath the cuteness lies the reality of everyday humans abuses that still exists today. One star has been removed for those that suffer at the hands of abusers.

Reviews, of course, can do multiple things. They can, for example, review an item, in this case Soviet writer Leonid Solovyov's Disturber of the Peace, the first part of his Tale of Hodja Nasredden saga. They can also review the megacorporation one buys the item from, in this instance Amazon.The book itself, as other reviews have noted, is excellent and was earlier translated as Adventures in Bukhara and The Beggar in the Harem. The second part of the book, by the way, HAS been translated into English, despite an earlier reviewers claims that it hasn't been. The Soviet Foreign Languages Publishing House offered an English translation of The Enchanted Prince by Bernard Isaacs that is now difficult to obtain.As for Amazon, it has dreadful packaging practises. Since Amazon branched out into offering every consumer good under the sun its packaging of books and CD's has gotten dreadful. This book arrived in the shape of a v with a crease on the front cover and a more minor crease on the back cover. As such it can no longer be classified as a new book and must be classified as a used one thanks to Amazon packaging incompetence. By the way, a CD I got in the same order had a broken plastic case. In a wonderful convergence of capitalism and surrealism I can't contact Amazon about this at the moment (4 April) because the help system is puppy dogged down.To conclude: The book gets five stars...Amazon gets zero stars...

ction was delightfully delicious. I read voraciously and laughed heartily. So good for the soul - Olusola Taiwo, Windsor ON, Canada

This is an interesting piece of Russian lit set in Bukhara. It's namesake protagonist is great at adapting but doesn't seem as wise as made out to be. He is quite a rascal who seduces the officials women and has a pretty good sense of humor. Fate and his talent at adapting to his situation pushes his journey along. He is a defender of the common man and despises the wicked, merciless rulers and tax collectors who oppress them. The city itself is an interesting character and the rich descriptions are a strong point, but I found this book easy to put down. The dialogue can get a little repetitive. It did make me chuckle in some parts, and all in all it was worth a read, but I came in with expectations of a hysterical rapier wit adventure and I was a little let down. 5/10

One of the best stories I have read so far. Its a lucid translation of the book and will enthrall the reader till the end. Thanks for reading my review and hope you read the book!

This is a great find. I read this book in Russian multiple times and I am glad to get this English version for my American wife. Translation is quite good.

I grew up with this book (in Russian). When I found it on my parents' bookshelf, it was in good condition. I read it so many times, that it became a coverless mess with pages falling out from flipping them back and forth so much. I read it at least 20 times in my youth. I personally patched it with gauze and tape and stinky office glue, and it still fell apart and turned almost into dust. That should tell you something about the affection I had for the story. It's a fun story, heartwarming, full of adventures, antics, and witticisms. Oh, and don't forget those colorful Arabian curses!To those who watch action packed movies on regular basis, it may appear a little mellow, but i love the story. It has it all - the underdog, the cunning plot, the lust, the wits, the disguise, the impersonation, the humor, and a satisfying revenge, too! I am super excited to be able to give this English version to my daughter who isn't versed in Russian, so that she can enjoy it, and we can share this experience together. Looking forward to this!If you like this book, check out part two: The Enchanted Prince. This book is rare and hard to come by.

Michael Karpelan' translation is much better than the earlier "Russia" translation. To have the story set in Soviet Russia (although there is very little of it in both translations) is the sign of the Genius of Leonid Soloviev! I managed to read the first translation by borrowing it in the seventies. It is good to reread it now. In the second book Soloviev writes that he thinks that the first book (this one) is liked more by the younger people, and the later by older readers.

Loved the book and the speed of service

Delightful book! I have wanted to read it for years, as I first read the Enchanted Prince many years ago but wasn't able at that time to find this one. So glad that Amazon is carrying it, and that it was reprinted. The author is truly amazing for that time...he is not at all 'Soviet' in his writing style, he transcends the pressure to conform to the Stalinist dictates of his era, just like his incorrigible hero, khoja Nasreddin.

It was 👍

I read this book very quickly about 45 years ago (in the Russian translation done in 1956). I could hardly let the book down.It is a very special story by Leonid Solovyov. The second book is on the way to me now (used version).I recommend that someone publishes it again!

Full of humor and wisdom