Catherine’s Comments (group member since Aug 17, 2010)

Catherine’s comments from the And Other Stories Lithuanian-Language Reading Group group.

“The Allure of the Text” is such a beautiful, subtle, and dreamlike story. There is a lot here that is thematically so interesting—the identity of the author, the relationship between text and reader/literature and life, and also the placement of a Lithuanian writer in the global literary market..actually, this story screams “contemporary world literature”—maybe you’ve seen Tim Parks’ review of the Dalkey Archive anthology in the NYRB (http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archi...). After reading “The Allure of the Text,” I see what Parks is getting at with his discussion of the different stories in this collection as not being so concretely grounded in the place of the authors’ origins. But I think this is an exciting trend that has a lot to do with the very reflexive themes circulating in Radvilaviciute’s story.. Also, the translation of this story is excellent.

“Obituary” is also a beautifully written and very engaging story. In fact, I think that Radvilaviciute’s writing is in some ways more lyrical, personal, and evocative here than in “The Allure of the Text”. I would love to see these two stories in an English collection with some of her other short stories and essays..

"Refreshing" is definitely the word to describe Pukyte’s perspective on life in England/Western Europe. I love the idea for “Their Habits” and would be eager to read the entire book. “New Europe” and “The Question of Kissing” are both delightful, but I like where Pukyte is going with these so much, that I just wish the pieces were longer! I’m assuming these are not excerpts from stories, but are the whole things (right?), and would be curious to see if the entire book is a collection of stories this short, or if some might be longer.

Regarding whether or not this would be relatable to non-Lithuanian readers.. I think these stories (particularly those in "Their Habits") absolutely are. The stories are of course still clearly Lithuanian (or about Lithuanians abroad) in some ways, but they’re also about being in a foreign place.. Pukyte's humor is really wonderful and I am dying to read the rest of this book!