Why people recommend it
Red Cavalry by Isaac Babel is a classic collection of short stories depicting the brutal, chaotic, and kaleidoscopic experiences of the Soviet-Polish War through the eyes of a Jewish intellectual serving in a Cossack cavalry unit. George Saunders recommended the book on The Ezra Klein Show in an episode titled The Darker Side of George Saunders, stating that he loves it so much he may have recommended it before, praising the Jewish Russian writer for his exceptional literary style and perspective. Ocean Vuong also discussed the book on How I Write, taking a specific line from Babel to illustrate the brilliant use of strong metaphors, vivid imagery, and poetic language in prose. Vuong highlighted Babel as one of his favorite short story writers, specifically referencing his early 1920s writing during the Soviet conflict. Both acclaimed writers emphasized the enduring literary power of Babel's work, pointing to its unflinching depiction of violence, human complexity, and artistic brilliance. The collection remains a monumental achievement in 20th-century Russian literature, celebrated for its stylistic innovation and its unvarnished exploration of war's devastating and transformative impact on soldiers and society alike.
Who recommended it
- Ocean Vuong Discussed
- George Saunders Recommended
Ocean Vuong — 1 mention
“So, let's take a line from Isaac Babel, one of my favorite short story writers. Babel writing in the early 1920s, um during the Soviet-Polish War in Red Cavalry.”
George Saunders — 1 mention
“And then the other one I I would recommend, I maybe have recommended it before because I love it so much, but it's Red Cavalry by Isaac Babble, the Jewish Russian writer.”