SOLVED. Russian Story - Disabled son - collects insects and names them - visiting man brings jars to keep them in - mother may be a lady of the night. [s]

[Atticus]

Hi everyone

I hope none of my subject line is a spoiler but not much really happens in the story anyway!

I found an old collection of Russian Short Stories about twenty years ago, I think it was a US print with a nice faded red cover, much bigger than a standard paperback. After lots of house moves it seems I've lost my copy and can't find the same one anywhere. The last story in the collection is the one I desperately want to find again, such a tragic beautiful tale. I have a feeling it may have been by Gorky but I can't find it in my searching so far.

Thanks for any help you can give. I hope the answer isn't too obvious!

Regards


Barry.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

In what period was the story set? Setting Moscow, St. Petersburg, somewhere else?

[Anna]

Was the book all in English, or was it a dual language edition? (Wondering if Russian Stories/Русские Рассказы: A Dual-Language Book was your book...)

[Atticus]

Thanks for your responses! I think it could have been very early 20th century, maybe late 19th. No idea where in Russia it was set. The edition I had was all in English.

I imagined all the stories would be stone cold classics, can't believe I haven't found it yet! I was trying to remember the first page of the story and I was sure it was Gorky or Gogol, maybe just had go in the name!

Thanks for helping me. :-)

[Ayshe]

By googling I found "Lullaby" by Maksim Gorky ( Страсти-мордасти in Russian) After reading it here: http://vickysands.com/01/05/408.htm I think I might have read it in the past, too, it sounds familiar, but it's so depressing.

According to worldcat.org it was included in The Collected Short Stories of Maxim Gorky.

[Atticus]

Oh Ayshe, did you ever know that you're my hero? ;-)

The song at the end of the story still tears me apart.

If there's anyway I can get a book voucher to you, or a few paypal quid to say thanks, let me know.

Barry.

[Ayshe]

I'm glad I could help. Atticus wrote: "If there's anyway I can get a book voucher to you, or a few paypal quid to say thanks,..." No need for that, but thank you :)

[Atticus]

Well thank you very very much again. I tried as an experiment to google it now I know more and still couldn't. I'm amazed you managed it. It means a lot to me and thank you again.

[Ayshe]

People usually don't review short stories in detail, I guess. It took some tries, searching for "gorky prostitute son" in Google books brought up Thematics Reconsidered: Essays in Honor of Horst S. Daemmrich where it is analyzed and title mentioned.

[Atticus]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for the hard work. I'm beginning to understand how people can earn money by being skilled at Google...