Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Imagine Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude on the empty plains of central Asia . . . a bold and inventive, if damning, whirl through Central Asia's 20th-century history." —Daily Telegraph
"A work of rare beauty—an utterly readable, compelling book." —New Statesman
"All picaresque exuberance, a jumble of influences from Persian to Soviet and beyond." —Sunday Herald
"Robert Chandler's tenderly attentive rendering of The Railway perfectly captures the dreamy, circling music of Hamid Ismailov's prose." —Daily Telegraph
About the Author
Hamid Ismailov, regarded as a man of "unacceptably democratic tendencies" in Uzbekistan, was forced to flee his homeland, and so came to London in 1992. He was recruited by the BBC World Service to set up its Central Asia Service. He has published many books both in Russia and in Uzbekistan, but this is the first time his work has been translated into English. Robert Chandler has translated the poetry of Sappho and Guillaume Apollinaire, as well as novels by Vasily Grossman and Aleksandr Pushkin.
Reviews:
2.0 out of 5 stars Scatterbrained Stories
As one reviewer stated that it is like an "elderly relative" recalling stories - only if that person is completely scatterbrained. The writer jumps from story to story with little or no connection and without a central theme or purpose. Yet there has got to be a hundred plus names of persons who often appear once and then are never heard from again. Its like listening to an old timer who is rambling on and on and you keep looking at the clock wondering if a enough time has passed before you can politely say "Well...look at the time....gotta go"
2.0 out of 5 stars Simplistic
Simplistic by all means! Hardly managed to finish it.I am waiting for his new novel "Comrade Islam", hopıng it will fulfill readers expectations more!
4.0 out of 5 stars A Narrative History of Uzbek Life
Reading "The Railway" is like hearing an elderly relative tell folk stories about the history of a time and place. The novel includes snippets of details about the lives of people in the Uzbek town of Gilas. The reader is taken through stories and historical events from the last 1800s to the 1970s, all through the perspectives and experiences of the people of Gilas.I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in knowing more about Central Asia and better understanding the lives the people there have lived in modern history. I have lived in Central Asia and read many non-fiction books about the region, but for me, reading this novel gave me a fresh understanding and sense of the history and collective knowledge of a group of people in the region. The tone is sarcastic, sad, serious, and funny all at the same time. No single tragedy or grand achievement is given too much attention, so that one truly gets the sense of a passage of time and the place of individual experiences in a much larger world and historical context.
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Wonderful and it came so quickly and I was grateful for that.
2.0 out of 5 stars Different
Weirdness book ever read
2.0 out of 5 stars I Really, Really Wanted to Like this book...
Having been somewhat fascinated and curious about Central Asia, and its diverse peoples, I was excited to find this book. I knew from other translated books that so much depends on the skill and craft of the translator. So, I can't say with absolute certainty that my difficulties with "The Railway" had nothing to do with the translation. However, my sense is that the translation had little to do with my discomfort, and ultimate abandonment of the book.Too many names of too many characters from too many locations...serious overkill, constant distraction, choppy flow, etc., all served to dull and overwhelm the exotic flavorings of the goulash. Rarely do I (these days anyway) deliberately not finish what I start...2 attempts on this book was enough. Yet, the allure of Central Asia is still tantalizing.
Five Stars
Perfect gift!
A very rare look into Soviet Central Asia
A beautiful and surprising discription of life in Soviet Central Asia. Such works of subtlety and truth are rare. Ismailov is an important voice for the long forgotten 'normal' people of this greatly misunderstood region of our world.
Un viaje cultural al puzzle de Asia Central
Un texto imaginativo, interesante, divertido y humorístico, para aproximarse a esta región del mundo.
Impressionist, sprawling and plot-free
'The Railway' is set in Uzbekistan over decades of the 20th century, featuring a range of characters living in around the railway town of Gilas. It is not a plot driven story, so I can't give a synopsis. Rather it is a sprawling, often confusing kaleidoscope of snippets and stories about the characters - of whom there are a large number - with plenty of magical-realist touches added in.As someone who always wants a story to have a clear, linear plot, it wasn't to my taste, but there will be other readers who love this loose, expansive style of novel. Within its mass of tales, there are moments and sections that I enjoyed and found memorable, particularly once I gave up looking for a narrative thread and accepted I just needed to read 'in the moment'.I struggled to remember which character was which, and who had been featured in sections earlier in the novel, but at least with a book of this nature it doesn't really matter. For readers who don't know much about Uzbekistan and central Asia, it's likely they'll discover a wealth of unexpected information about this fascinating region. Even I (having travelled a lot in the area) picked up some things I hadn't been aware of. In its meandering way, it provides an impressionist image of a country that moved from a trading hub for the world, into a Soviet state. From nomads and Islam, to secularism and communism.If you are looking for a challenging, different book to read, this is a decent choice. Look past the lack of plot and you will find a colourful and giddying collection of stories and facts that require a bit of effort to process but ultimately paint a picture of life in an extraordinary region and period of history.
Visit the Vintage UK Store
The Railway
AED12147
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Similar suggestions by Bolo
More from this brand
Similar items from “Historical”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0099466139
Visit the Vintage UK Store
The Railway
AED12147
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Imagine Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude on the empty plains of central Asia . . . a bold and inventive, if damning, whirl through Central Asia's 20th-century history." —Daily Telegraph
"A work of rare beauty—an utterly readable, compelling book." —New Statesman
"All picaresque exuberance, a jumble of influences from Persian to Soviet and beyond." —Sunday Herald
"Robert Chandler's tenderly attentive rendering of The Railway perfectly captures the dreamy, circling music of Hamid Ismailov's prose." —Daily Telegraph
About the Author
Hamid Ismailov, regarded as a man of "unacceptably democratic tendencies" in Uzbekistan, was forced to flee his homeland, and so came to London in 1992. He was recruited by the BBC World Service to set up its Central Asia Service. He has published many books both in Russia and in Uzbekistan, but this is the first time his work has been translated into English. Robert Chandler has translated the poetry of Sappho and Guillaume Apollinaire, as well as novels by Vasily Grossman and Aleksandr Pushkin.
Reviews:
2.0 out of 5 stars Scatterbrained Stories
As one reviewer stated that it is like an "elderly relative" recalling stories - only if that person is completely scatterbrained. The writer jumps from story to story with little or no connection and without a central theme or purpose. Yet there has got to be a hundred plus names of persons who often appear once and then are never heard from again. Its like listening to an old timer who is rambling on and on and you keep looking at the clock wondering if a enough time has passed before you can politely say "Well...look at the time....gotta go"
2.0 out of 5 stars Simplistic
Simplistic by all means! Hardly managed to finish it.I am waiting for his new novel "Comrade Islam", hopıng it will fulfill readers expectations more!
4.0 out of 5 stars A Narrative History of Uzbek Life
Reading "The Railway" is like hearing an elderly relative tell folk stories about the history of a time and place. The novel includes snippets of details about the lives of people in the Uzbek town of Gilas. The reader is taken through stories and historical events from the last 1800s to the 1970s, all through the perspectives and experiences of the people of Gilas.I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in knowing more about Central Asia and better understanding the lives the people there have lived in modern history. I have lived in Central Asia and read many non-fiction books about the region, but for me, reading this novel gave me a fresh understanding and sense of the history and collective knowledge of a group of people in the region. The tone is sarcastic, sad, serious, and funny all at the same time. No single tragedy or grand achievement is given too much attention, so that one truly gets the sense of a passage of time and the place of individual experiences in a much larger world and historical context.
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Wonderful and it came so quickly and I was grateful for that.
2.0 out of 5 stars Different
Weirdness book ever read
2.0 out of 5 stars I Really, Really Wanted to Like this book...
Having been somewhat fascinated and curious about Central Asia, and its diverse peoples, I was excited to find this book. I knew from other translated books that so much depends on the skill and craft of the translator. So, I can't say with absolute certainty that my difficulties with "The Railway" had nothing to do with the translation. However, my sense is that the translation had little to do with my discomfort, and ultimate abandonment of the book.Too many names of too many characters from too many locations...serious overkill, constant distraction, choppy flow, etc., all served to dull and overwhelm the exotic flavorings of the goulash. Rarely do I (these days anyway) deliberately not finish what I start...2 attempts on this book was enough. Yet, the allure of Central Asia is still tantalizing.
Five Stars
Perfect gift!
A very rare look into Soviet Central Asia
A beautiful and surprising discription of life in Soviet Central Asia. Such works of subtlety and truth are rare. Ismailov is an important voice for the long forgotten 'normal' people of this greatly misunderstood region of our world.
Un viaje cultural al puzzle de Asia Central
Un texto imaginativo, interesante, divertido y humorístico, para aproximarse a esta región del mundo.
Impressionist, sprawling and plot-free
'The Railway' is set in Uzbekistan over decades of the 20th century, featuring a range of characters living in around the railway town of Gilas. It is not a plot driven story, so I can't give a synopsis. Rather it is a sprawling, often confusing kaleidoscope of snippets and stories about the characters - of whom there are a large number - with plenty of magical-realist touches added in.As someone who always wants a story to have a clear, linear plot, it wasn't to my taste, but there will be other readers who love this loose, expansive style of novel. Within its mass of tales, there are moments and sections that I enjoyed and found memorable, particularly once I gave up looking for a narrative thread and accepted I just needed to read 'in the moment'.I struggled to remember which character was which, and who had been featured in sections earlier in the novel, but at least with a book of this nature it doesn't really matter. For readers who don't know much about Uzbekistan and central Asia, it's likely they'll discover a wealth of unexpected information about this fascinating region. Even I (having travelled a lot in the area) picked up some things I hadn't been aware of. In its meandering way, it provides an impressionist image of a country that moved from a trading hub for the world, into a Soviet state. From nomads and Islam, to secularism and communism.If you are looking for a challenging, different book to read, this is a decent choice. Look past the lack of plot and you will find a colourful and giddying collection of stories and facts that require a bit of effort to process but ultimately paint a picture of life in an extraordinary region and period of history.
Similar suggestions by Bolo
More from this brand
Similar items from “Historical”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0099466139