This handsome facsimile of the 1925 limited French edition sports a new English text, as well as an intriguing introduction in which Rudolf Nureyev discusses Pushkin's literary career and the place of his works in the history of Russian dance. The four stories are readable enough, though the repeated changes of tense are distracting. Zvorykin's very crowded full-page paintings are, as Nureyev aptly says, ""sumptuous-but also primitive,"" full of gold and stylized figures, thick with patterns, richly colored. The book's antique flavor is enhanced by pale green borders and ornaments and creamy paper. Fine as a gift or for display.