A Hero of Our Time

A Hero of Our Time is a novel written by Russian author Mikhail Lermontov. It was first published in 1840 and is considered one of the foundational works of Russian literature. The novel is often regarded as a classic of Russian Romanticism and a precursor to the psychological and existential themes that would become prominent in later literature.

The central character, Grigory Pechorin, is a complex and enigmatic figure who embodies the "superfluous man" archetype—a character type common in Russian literature of the 19th century. The superfluous man is typically a disillusioned and bored individual who rejects societal norms and struggles to find meaning and purpose in life.

Pechorin is portrayed as a cynical and charismatic young officer in the Russian army. The novel explores his adventures and romantic entanglements, revealing his inner conflicts, doubts, and a sense of existential detachment. Lermontov's work is often seen as a critique of the values and conventions of Russian society at the time, as well as an exploration of the impact of the Romantic movement on Russian literature.

Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov (1814 – 1841) was a Russian Romantic writer, poet and painter, sometimes called "the poet of the Caucasus", the most important Russian poet after Alexander Pushkin's death in 1837 and the greatest figure in Russian Romanticism. His influence on later Russian literature is still felt in modern times, not only through his poetry, but also through his prose, which founded the tradition of the Russian psychological novel.

Translation by Marr Murray and J. H. Wisdom.