What do you think?
Rate this book
Reading the City: A City in Short Fiction
The Book of Riga: A City in Short Fiction
Riga may be over 800 years old as a city, but its status as capital of an independent Latvia is only a century old, with half of that time spent under Soviet rule. Despite this, it has established itself as a vibrant, creative hub, attracting artists, performers, and writers from across the Baltic region. The stories gathered here chronicle this growth and on-going transformation, and offer glimpses into the dark humor, rich history, contrasting perspectives, and love of the mythic, that sets the city’s artistic community apart. As its history might suggest, Riga is a work in progress; and for many of the characters in these stories, it is the possibilities of what the city might become, more than merely what it is now, that drives the imagination of its people.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2018
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 21, 2023
Book No 115 on my World Reading Journey - Latvia.
Riga is the capital of Latvia. it has been in existence sinc 1201. The country has been independent since 18 Nov 1918.
"THERE IS A LEGEND about Riga, which states that every hundred years a diminutive, mythical creature rises up out of the depths of the River Daugava and asks the first inhabitant he encounters: ‘Is Riga complete?’ If the answer is ‘No, it’s not finished’, then the creature will disappear and Riga will be left to continue growing and prospering for another century. Should the day arise when an inhabitant of Riga answers, ‘Yes, Riga is complete’, then the whole city will disappear, engulfed by the waters, along with the mythical creature."
"While Riga has been spared the symbolic waters of forgetfulness that the old legend warns about, it has not been spared the fires of war, with their bloodbaths and devastation, nor the scythe of the Grim Reaper during repeated bouts of the Black Death."
I enjoyed the short stories and learned more about Riga as a result. Especially rewarding was learning about the National Library of Latvia. If you have time read about it and view the building on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...
3 stars
Riga is the capital of Latvia. it has been in existence sinc 1201. The country has been independent since 18 Nov 1918.
"THERE IS A LEGEND about Riga, which states that every hundred years a diminutive, mythical creature rises up out of the depths of the River Daugava and asks the first inhabitant he encounters: ‘Is Riga complete?’ If the answer is ‘No, it’s not finished’, then the creature will disappear and Riga will be left to continue growing and prospering for another century. Should the day arise when an inhabitant of Riga answers, ‘Yes, Riga is complete’, then the whole city will disappear, engulfed by the waters, along with the mythical creature."
"While Riga has been spared the symbolic waters of forgetfulness that the old legend warns about, it has not been spared the fires of war, with their bloodbaths and devastation, nor the scythe of the Grim Reaper during repeated bouts of the Black Death."
I enjoyed the short stories and learned more about Riga as a result. Especially rewarding was learning about the National Library of Latvia. If you have time read about it and view the building on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...
3 stars
May 2, 2018
The Book of Riga is a collection of ten short stories written by Latvian authors and set in the country’s capital city. It opens with a history of the region written by a former president. As I am unfamiliar with the background and local culture, such information was of interest, although at times I still struggled to place each of the stories within the time-frame intended.
The authors write with a distinctive, Baltic voice yet their themes are universal. They explore the frustration protagonists feel at family, particularly the older generation with their undeviating demands and expectations.
In The Girl Who Cut My Hair a group of young people indulge in what they consider meaningful discussions whilst polishing their personal vanities and youthful if frivolous preoccupations.
“We were virgins with condoms in our handbags.
Our parents had not read either Freud or Henry Miller, absolutely not.
We were always at the ready – what if life should suddenly start?”
Westside Garden revolves around a place once owned by a wealthy family, now subdivided but still housing an elderly relic of that era. The events narrated differ between the lived experience and what is recalled with the benefit of hindsight and shared reminiscences. Sexual encounters are described as a sometimes necessary irritant. The women are still expected to adhere to a standard of presentation and behaviour.
“don’t fool around with slacks and bobbed haircuts, but act like a real woman.”
In The Birds of Kipsala Island, new build homes in the city housing young families and professionals are evocatively described
“like lockers in a gym changing room”
Within the changes imposed on the historic city, a creative community seek out places were they may indulge their conceits together. Self defined artists and intellectuals eventually realise
“no one in real life is as happy, as witty, or as capable of making sound judgements, as characters in fiction.”
The Shakes is set in an office where a successful businessman observes an increase in street demonstrations and tries to see into the future using history and detailed reasoning. In trying to draw his assistant into his endeavour he risks being seen as unhinged. She too feels something out of kilter in the air but prefers to perpetuate, while she can, the comfort of accepted roles and routines.
A White Jacket With Gold Buttons offers a picture of a writer’s hubris yet sensitivity to criticism, particularly from a rival he refuses to rate.
“Writing is, in a sense, close to psychoanalysis: the power of the written word comes exactly from the fact that an author spits out his most hidden feelings, without the shiny veneer that comes from pretending.”
The collection finishes with a supernatural tale, The Night Shift, that could be a metaphor for the realities of life, and inevitability of death.
The writing throughout presents with a distinctive cadence that is somewhat mordant yet arresting in the themes explored and characters developed. The city shines through as a beguiling survivor of its history, adapting whilst retaining its hold on certain citizens and visitors. I had never before considered visiting Riga. After reading this collection, I am tempted.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Comma Press.
The authors write with a distinctive, Baltic voice yet their themes are universal. They explore the frustration protagonists feel at family, particularly the older generation with their undeviating demands and expectations.
In The Girl Who Cut My Hair a group of young people indulge in what they consider meaningful discussions whilst polishing their personal vanities and youthful if frivolous preoccupations.
“We were virgins with condoms in our handbags.
Our parents had not read either Freud or Henry Miller, absolutely not.
We were always at the ready – what if life should suddenly start?”
Westside Garden revolves around a place once owned by a wealthy family, now subdivided but still housing an elderly relic of that era. The events narrated differ between the lived experience and what is recalled with the benefit of hindsight and shared reminiscences. Sexual encounters are described as a sometimes necessary irritant. The women are still expected to adhere to a standard of presentation and behaviour.
“don’t fool around with slacks and bobbed haircuts, but act like a real woman.”
In The Birds of Kipsala Island, new build homes in the city housing young families and professionals are evocatively described
“like lockers in a gym changing room”
Within the changes imposed on the historic city, a creative community seek out places were they may indulge their conceits together. Self defined artists and intellectuals eventually realise
“no one in real life is as happy, as witty, or as capable of making sound judgements, as characters in fiction.”
The Shakes is set in an office where a successful businessman observes an increase in street demonstrations and tries to see into the future using history and detailed reasoning. In trying to draw his assistant into his endeavour he risks being seen as unhinged. She too feels something out of kilter in the air but prefers to perpetuate, while she can, the comfort of accepted roles and routines.
A White Jacket With Gold Buttons offers a picture of a writer’s hubris yet sensitivity to criticism, particularly from a rival he refuses to rate.
“Writing is, in a sense, close to psychoanalysis: the power of the written word comes exactly from the fact that an author spits out his most hidden feelings, without the shiny veneer that comes from pretending.”
The collection finishes with a supernatural tale, The Night Shift, that could be a metaphor for the realities of life, and inevitability of death.
The writing throughout presents with a distinctive cadence that is somewhat mordant yet arresting in the themes explored and characters developed. The city shines through as a beguiling survivor of its history, adapting whilst retaining its hold on certain citizens and visitors. I had never before considered visiting Riga. After reading this collection, I am tempted.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Comma Press.
October 18, 2018
I've thoroughly enjoyed this, and it wasn't because it is a translation :D
I've started reading it because I wanted to attend the Manchester launch as part of Manchester Literature Festival. But also because it is a translation and I believe the number of books being translated into English is just ridiculous. The event was attended by Sven Kuzmins who, turns out, is a very cool-headed, down-to-earth author, bold enough to call out his interlocutors on all sort of things from moronic statements ("Latvia is defined by its next door, more powerful neighbor" - Russia that is ;)) to the why behind The Shakes being in this collection as it's actually part of a trilogy - and it turns out there's no particular reason, as the British editor had no idea what she was doing/including in this collection, just went on a trip to Latvia and asked what cool authors should she include....(eye roll)
All set aside, the collection is brilliant. I almost enjoyed each and every story. All so rich and with a touch of fantastic/absurd(?). In a way I've felt rather close to some of the stories, because of our similar history. Romania as it is now 'started' in 1918, just as Latvia; then our shared past under the soviet occupation, the communism and the transition period to a democratic society. So yea, it felt a bit personal if it wasn't, strictly speaking. But I still knew exactly what some authors were talking about: corrupt political system, the repossession of former nationalized properties; people sharing "bourgeois" houses; the tragic demolition of historic buildings in the name of a new/fresh start; people emigrating to the West for a better future etc. It certainly made me wish to know and visit some of the places featured in the collection. But in a powerful, immediate way, so much so that I've started researching Latvia holidays hahahahaha.
I've started reading it because I wanted to attend the Manchester launch as part of Manchester Literature Festival. But also because it is a translation and I believe the number of books being translated into English is just ridiculous. The event was attended by Sven Kuzmins who, turns out, is a very cool-headed, down-to-earth author, bold enough to call out his interlocutors on all sort of things from moronic statements ("Latvia is defined by its next door, more powerful neighbor" - Russia that is ;)) to the why behind The Shakes being in this collection as it's actually part of a trilogy - and it turns out there's no particular reason, as the British editor had no idea what she was doing/including in this collection, just went on a trip to Latvia and asked what cool authors should she include....(eye roll)
All set aside, the collection is brilliant. I almost enjoyed each and every story. All so rich and with a touch of fantastic/absurd(?). In a way I've felt rather close to some of the stories, because of our similar history. Romania as it is now 'started' in 1918, just as Latvia; then our shared past under the soviet occupation, the communism and the transition period to a democratic society. So yea, it felt a bit personal if it wasn't, strictly speaking. But I still knew exactly what some authors were talking about: corrupt political system, the repossession of former nationalized properties; people sharing "bourgeois" houses; the tragic demolition of historic buildings in the name of a new/fresh start; people emigrating to the West for a better future etc. It certainly made me wish to know and visit some of the places featured in the collection. But in a powerful, immediate way, so much so that I've started researching Latvia holidays hahahahaha.
April 23, 2024
Second book I read in this series. A collection of short stories, meant to reflect the moods and predilections of a city. I gave it a 3* because, as in many short stories collections, the rating is uneven - some stood out and were fresh and interesting, some felt forgettable and repetitive. A thing I noticed - compared to the Tbilisi volume (the other installment i read from the series), the overall tone of the stories felt more modern and, I dare say, more hopeful. I’m definitely going to pick another book in the series (should I do Istanbul or Havana?), as it allows me to read in languages I don’t have easy access to.
June 18, 2019
I enjoyed this book of short stories. I liked that the former President of the Republic of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga wrote the foreword, which gives a short history of Latvia.
January 31, 2026
Fascinating historical view into a vastly different part of the world. I absolutely loved a few of these stories.
March 28, 2023
As someone with very little insight in everyday culture of Baltics region, Latvia and Riga i find this book amazing guide into toponims, names, histories worth checking further. You tend to appreciate actions of the characters as they help you meet the city from various perspectives. It's not a tourist guide, it's a life vernissage of Riga.
March 9, 2024
loved loved loved ‘The Girl Who Cut My Hair’ (K. Želve) and ‘Westside Garden’ (G. Repše)
April 14, 2018
It’s always difficult to rate short story collections because by their very nature, there are some stories that you like and some that you don’t. What I did like, though, is how each of these stories is very much a product of the city, and so it was cool because I could read about locations that I’ve visited.
The selection here is also pretty diverse and so we get a nice range of different styles. This is my fourth or fifth Latvian book by now, and I think it’s the best for getting just a good cross-section of what’s going on. Enjoy!
The selection here is also pretty diverse and so we get a nice range of different styles. This is my fourth or fifth Latvian book by now, and I think it’s the best for getting just a good cross-section of what’s going on. Enjoy!
January 7, 2020
Ten short stories by Latvian writers all set in the capital city of Riga. I struggle a little with short stories and need to remind myself to stop and process after each one rather than plowing on to the next. Only a couple of these didn't grab me. The rest were great, giving a sense of place, of time, of menace, of life.
June 9, 2019
Not all very great but ultimately I enjoyed the reading experience, especially since it was coupled with several trips to so many of the locations mentioned.
June 16, 2020
It was a fun set of short stories to read. Occasionally the writing felt a touch too sharp, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 27, 2024
I don't really know a lot about the Baltic countries in general. I can point to them on a map, I know what their capital cities are. I even know a couple of words in Latvian, acquired completely by accident. But other than that: nothing. I can't even think of a single stereotype to mention.
All of this is to say that I arrived to this book completely blank. I was excited at the possiblity of getting a taste for Latvian literature and read outside of my comfort zone, and now that I have read this I can say with certainty that I will retreat to my comfort zone once again because short story collections really aren't my cup of tea, especially so when they are by different authors. The focus of this book was in the city of Riga, but everything else was fair game: we have stories about bitter divorces, political upheaval, dystopias, unsettling sci-fi, and Jazz Age rich families, but mainly, mostly, about uncomfortable people living melancholic, disatissfied lives. I don't know what it is in Riga that inspires almost surrealist writing about people having depression, but this is definitely not a good selling point for tourism.
However, what I really appreciated was precisely the variety of stories. Most were very short, and since the topics were so varied, it was like an Advent Calendar of new shiny little treats that you could devour in a sitting, and then go do something else. Some made me think, some made me smile, and, admittedly, some made me re-read the same page five times because I wasn't understanding anything about the story. But I liked the feeling of newness that came with each one, the possibilities of a fresh start. And, indeed, seeing the city across different times and from different point of views was really interesting -I loved when monuments that had been mentioned in one story were re-mentioned in a different one because"Hey, I know that".
Especial shout out, of course, to the team of translators: I loved the little explanation notes, and how the expressions in Russian and German in the original stories were left as such because it made me feel like I was more immersed in the culture than I actually am.
All in all, a solid 3/5. Would I pick up something from this collection again? Probably not. But will I have another look at Latvian literature? Definitely. Just maybe not about Riga.
All of this is to say that I arrived to this book completely blank. I was excited at the possiblity of getting a taste for Latvian literature and read outside of my comfort zone, and now that I have read this I can say with certainty that I will retreat to my comfort zone once again because short story collections really aren't my cup of tea, especially so when they are by different authors. The focus of this book was in the city of Riga, but everything else was fair game: we have stories about bitter divorces, political upheaval, dystopias, unsettling sci-fi, and Jazz Age rich families, but mainly, mostly, about uncomfortable people living melancholic, disatissfied lives. I don't know what it is in Riga that inspires almost surrealist writing about people having depression, but this is definitely not a good selling point for tourism.
However, what I really appreciated was precisely the variety of stories. Most were very short, and since the topics were so varied, it was like an Advent Calendar of new shiny little treats that you could devour in a sitting, and then go do something else. Some made me think, some made me smile, and, admittedly, some made me re-read the same page five times because I wasn't understanding anything about the story. But I liked the feeling of newness that came with each one, the possibilities of a fresh start. And, indeed, seeing the city across different times and from different point of views was really interesting -I loved when monuments that had been mentioned in one story were re-mentioned in a different one because"Hey, I know that".
Especial shout out, of course, to the team of translators: I loved the little explanation notes, and how the expressions in Russian and German in the original stories were left as such because it made me feel like I was more immersed in the culture than I actually am.
All in all, a solid 3/5. Would I pick up something from this collection again? Probably not. But will I have another look at Latvian literature? Definitely. Just maybe not about Riga.
April 18, 2023
Today's coffee was served with the book "The Book of Riga: A City in Short Fiction, " a collection of stories written by various authors that offers a glimpse into the growth and transformation of Riga. This city has established itself as a creative hub in the Baltic region. The stories portray dark humour, rich history, contrasting perspectives, and love for the myth that defines the city's artistic community. The book not only chronicles the city's past but also highlights the possibilities of what it might become in the future, which fuels its people's imagination. With its engaging and thought-provoking stories, "The Book of Riga" is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the unique character of this vibrant city.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book is the diversity of voices represented within it. The authors come from a range of backgrounds and perspectives, and they bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to their writing. This diversity makes for a rich and engaging reading experience, as the stories offer a broad range of insights into life in Riga.
Overall, I highly recommend "The Book of Riga: A City in Short Fiction" to anyone interested in exploring the culture, history, and character of this fascinating city. The stories are well-written, engaging, and thought-provoking, and they provide an excellent introduction to the creative and artistic community that has made Riga such a unique and vibrant place.
...
Authors and Editors: Andra Neiburga (Author), Dace Ruksane (Author), Gundega Repse (Author), Ilze Jansone (Author), Juris Zvirgzdins (Author), Kristine Zelve (Author), Pauls Bankovskis (Author), Svens Kuzmins (Author), Becca Parkinson (Editor), Eva Eglaja-Kristsone (Editor)
One of the things I appreciated most about this book is the diversity of voices represented within it. The authors come from a range of backgrounds and perspectives, and they bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to their writing. This diversity makes for a rich and engaging reading experience, as the stories offer a broad range of insights into life in Riga.
Overall, I highly recommend "The Book of Riga: A City in Short Fiction" to anyone interested in exploring the culture, history, and character of this fascinating city. The stories are well-written, engaging, and thought-provoking, and they provide an excellent introduction to the creative and artistic community that has made Riga such a unique and vibrant place.
...
Authors and Editors: Andra Neiburga (Author), Dace Ruksane (Author), Gundega Repse (Author), Ilze Jansone (Author), Juris Zvirgzdins (Author), Kristine Zelve (Author), Pauls Bankovskis (Author), Svens Kuzmins (Author), Becca Parkinson (Editor), Eva Eglaja-Kristsone (Editor)
February 4, 2023
If I were to base my desire to visit a city upon the words I have read about it then this unusual collection of short stories might not be in Riga’s favour.
But I don’t.
And despite not being overjoyed or especially moved or enthusiastic about any of these quirky stories -
The one I might remember is of a man talking to his doctor in Killing Mrs Cecelia Bochs “you think I’m crazy? Or maybe you’ll say that, these days, one has to wipe out at least half a dozen tiny, feeble old ladies to be able to afford a respectable meal at a fancy restaurant? A little joke a La Raskolnikov - with a bit of axe and borscht on the side.” -
I’m still eager to visit Riga in Latvia one day.
March 30, 2021
I really love this series so far, after reading this and Book of Karthoum. These are cities/countries I’ve thought very little about and it’s great to get a glimpse into their history and daily life. All the stories are quality and there’s a great variety of subject matter and tone among them. I know a ton of work goes into these, but I can’t help but wish they were twice as long to extend my visit just a bit longer. Sadly, I think it’s quite difficult to find much Latvian literature in translation in the grand scheme of things. I would love to read more from some of these authors
December 1, 2021
The foreword of this book written by the former president of Latvia, i am so surprised to read a book that have this introduction of the country with the legend and history by their president. My favorite story is the last one, title the night shift by Paul Bankovskis.
November 23, 2022
The Book of Riga: A City in Short Fiction ** Read in Riga and Jurmala, Latvia (June 2022)
January 12, 2024
10 stories-5 I loved, 5 I couldn’t get through. So, 3 stars. I loved the notion of getting to know a country through these stories before visiting Riga. I want to keep in mind this series of books so I can read stories from my next adventure.
August 10, 2025
Wanted to get a sense of the City of Riga. The foreword, written by a former President of Latvia was far and away the most interesting and informative part of the book. A few of the stories were enjoyable, and the others were, like many short stories that need to get attention, just weird.
January 28, 2026
I like the concept of this book, short stories by different authors all set in the same city. Like most short story collections, some were hits, some were unfathomable. The style in general was interesting and not what I'm used to, which was cool.
July 8, 2019
Perfect collection to read while visiting Riga. Some of the stories were easier to follow than others but all full of dark humour and strange tales.
January 3, 2024
Ganske gode historier, og et sjov blik ‘bag facaden’ på dejlige Riga.
June 26, 2024
As is often the case with short stories, it was a bit of a mixed bag. I really liked one or two of them, a couple I didn't like and most were kind of middling.
February 18, 2025
I enjoyed this collection of slightly absurd short stories. I am not sure how much it helps to understand Riga for a complete outsider though.
March 13, 2024
This was such a delightful collection of short stories! There are definitely some things lost in translation or cultural references, but I thought that added to the quirkiness of the stories overall.
March 25, 2019
This series is a great idea - I just wish there were more volumes in the series (dealing with more cities I am actually interested in). I bought & read this a few months after an amazing visit to Riga. Most of the stories were great & but they all reminded me of the places I wandered & the people I met there. I wish it were longer & more of the authors' work was available in English (or my Latvian much, much better).
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews