I do like them, and he's a good lecturer. I took a look at The Slavic Review, and it looks incredibly academic and specialized. I'm impressed that someone outside academia can keep up with it!

Marc,

Indeed, these lectures, as are most Teaching Company lectures, are primary geared as an undergraduate level survey. They attempt to capture the breadth of Russian literature, but of course can't visit them all nor have time go into a very deep analysis. I think the lectures are great in that regard, but yes, for those who are already very well versed in Russian literature, perhaps a more heavy study is the right pathway. (But I think most can still learn from Weil's lectures). The book you recommend is indeed good, and there are many other good ones out there, but for those who are serious about Russian literature and depth behind it, I'd recommend you subscribe to The Slavic Review by becoming a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies (AAASS). (http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~aaass/). There is also The Russian Review, which is a good scholarly periodical for those who are interested, but I personally have been inclined toward The Slavic Review. (http://www.russianreview.org/). Anyhow, thanks for the feedback and glad you are at least liking the lectures.

I'm listening to the lectures now. I speak Russian, so appreciate his long quotes from the originals (he has a very rich, melodious reading voice, as you can tell from the part where he sings a few bars from Boris Godunov), but I can't help thinking that it would irritate the hell out of me if I didn't speak the language.

Also, the other minor complaint I have know is that he seems to be just summarizing all these books without giving much as much background as I'd like.

For those interested in delving deeper, I recommend A History of Russian Literature.

thanks

Susan,
Yes, I have Weil's lectures and they are great. I highly recommend them. There are also some great lectures on Russian literature in Mark Steinberg's Great Courses lectures on Russian History. Both are very good, but Weil does a great job discussing Russian literature. If you enjoy Russian literature, Weil will only improve your understanding and eagerness to read the great Russian novels.

Cheers,
Zach

that is such a great idea, I forgot about all the translations and work Nabakov has done on other writters
thanks

Maybe try "Lectures on Russian Literature" (1981) by Vladimir Nabokov.

Has anybody read/done the great courses classics of Russian Literature by Irwin Weil. I have read it several times and feel I have milked it for all it was worth and am interested in something else like this.