Group Reads -> January 2021 -> Nomination thread (A book set in, or about, Russia won by A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles)

[Nigeyb]

Our January 2021 theme will be Russia - so that's a book set in, or about, Russia that you would like to read and discuss.

It can be either fiction or non-fiction, and written or set in the twentieth century.

Please supply the title, author, a brief synopsis, and anything else you'd like to mention about the book, and why you think it might make a good book to discuss.

If your nomination wins then please be willing to fully participate in the subsequent discussion

We have already chosen the Moderators's Choice book for January 2021 and it's...

The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Happy nominating

[Nigeyb]

Having really enjoyed Roadside Picnic a few years back, I am inspired to nominate something else by Arkady Strugatsky and Boris Strugatsky.

We don't tend to read and discuss Science Fiction much here but it was a genre which thrived in the twentieth century, and it frequently contains some of the most compelling, imaginative and provocative ideas in fiction.

So, with that in mind, I nominate...

Monday Starts on Saturday by Arkady Strugatsky and Boris Strugatsky

The Strugatsky brothers are best known by English-reading SF fans for the novel Roadside Picnic, but this delightful 1964 fantasy-comedy remains their most popular work in Russia.

A brilliant and incisive satire of the Soviet pseudo-science research of the Cold War, with a new introduction by Adam Roberts.

Sasha Privalov, a young computer programmer, visits the small town of Solovets for a holiday and gets swept into a new job at what turns out to be the National Institute for the Technology of Witchcraft and Thaumaturgy (or NITWiT). His adventures are a charming and loving parody of both Soviet institutional culture and earlier fantasy and SF novels.

Also it's readily available and cheap to buy in the UK. I notice it's a bit more expensive in America but there are plenty of cheap second hand copies around.

[Rosina]

I am going to nominate

"A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov. When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him a doorway into a much larger world of emotional discovery.

"Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose."

[Nigeyb]

What a splendid suggestion Rosina - thanks so much


NOMINATIONS so far....

Nigeyb: Monday Starts on Saturday by Arkady Strugatsky & Boris Strugatsky
Rosina: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

[Susan]

I loved A Gentleman in Moscow, Rosina. Hmmm, SO many wonderful Russian books and authors to choose from. Will have to think.

[Susan]

This was published in 1998, so I hope it counts, but if there is any objections, I will pick something else. We have sci fi and a wonderful literary choice, so I'll pick something lighter.

The Winter Queen Book 1 in a long-running mystery series.

Moscow, May 1876: What would cause a talented young student from a wealthy family to shoot himself in front of a promenading public in the Alexander Gardens? Decadence and boredom, most likely, is what the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Moscow Police thinks, but still he finds it curious enough to send the newest member of the division, Erast Fandorin, a young man of irresistible charm, to the Alexander Gardens precinct for more information.

Fandorin is not satisfied with the conclusion that this is an open-and-shut case, nor with the preliminary detective work the precinct has done—and for good reason: The bizarre and tragic suicide is soon connected to a clear case of murder, witnessed firsthand by Fandorin. There are many unresolved questions. Why, for instance, have both victims left their fortunes to an orphanage run by the English Lady Astair? And who is the beautiful "A.B.," whose signed photograph is found in the apparent suicide's apartment? Relying on his keen intuition, the eager sleuth plunges into an investigation that leads him across Europe, landing him at the deadly center of a terrorist conspiracy of worldwide proportions.

[Roman Clodia]

Yes, so much to choose from... I can't decide between The White Guard or something more modern from the other end of the twentieth century: maybe Boys in Zinc about the Soviet war in Afghanistan? I'll ponder...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I have read The Winter Queen and remember liking it. Honestly I don't know why I didn't continue with the series, but I suspect it was accessibility. With my ability to pick up books now, I think that is no longer a valid excuse.

[Susan]

Or possibly just too many series on the go, Elizabeth :)

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan wrote: "Or possibly just too many series on the go, Elizabeth :)"

LOL - an out, an out! Love it!

[Judy]

I also liked The Winter Queen but haven't continued with the series as yet!

[Nigeyb]

It sounds as though the The Winter Queen series could be a winner - perhaps you should have nominated the second one Susan?


Roman Clodia is mulling over a nomination

Is anyone else considering nominating?


NOMINATIONS so far....

Nigeyb: Monday Starts on Saturday by Arkady Strugatsky & Boris Strugatsky
Rosina: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Susan: The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin

[Susan]

Possibly, but people who haven't read the first may not want to start a series second book in.

If it does do well (although I suspect A Gentleman in Moscow will be, deservedly, favourite - and there may be more nominations) and most people have read the first already, I could do Winter Queen as a buddy read in December and we could read the second in January? I am sure we can find a way round it, we're very adaptable as a group!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan wrote: "I could do Winter Queen as a buddy read in December and we could read the second in January?"

I see now maybe why I didn't continue. There are no Kindle editions available in the US.

[Susan]

That's a shame, Elizabeth.

[Roman Clodia]

Ok, so my nomination is The Russia House (1989) by John le Carré.

"In Moscow, a sheaf of military secrets changes hands. If it arrives at its destination, and if its import is understood, the consequences could be cataclysmic. Along the way it has an explosive impact on the lives of three people: a Soviet physicist burdened with secrets; a beautiful young Russian woman to whom the papers are entrusted; and Barley Blair, a bewildered English publisher pressed into service by British Intelligence to ferret out the document's source.

A magnificent story of love, betrayal, and courage, The Russia House catches history in the act. For as the Iron Curtain begins to rust and crumble, Blair is left to sound a battle cry that may fall on deaf ears."

[Susan]

I was thinking of a spy novel, RC. Great suggestion.

[Judy]

I think I would want to reread The Winter Queen before going on to the second book as it has been a while since I read it, so I would be in for a buddy read, Susan.

[Jill]

I have The Winter Queen , but don't think I can fit it in before January, even if Boris does cancel Christmas.

[Jan C]

I'll nominate one of Helen Rappaport's books, Caught in the Revolution.

[Pam]

Does the book have to be published in the 20th century? If yes, A Gentleman in Moscow doesn’t meet that criteria. It was published in 2016.

[Susan]

It was set in the 20th Century, Pam, so it's fine. If a book is published, or set, within that era, it works. That goes if you wish to nominate something too - my choice was published in the 20th Century, but set much earlier, so we can be flexible, but, generally, it has to be either set/published then.

Oh, Jan, I LOVED Caught in the Revolution.

Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, 1917

SELECTED AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE TELEGRAPH AND EVENING STANDARD

'[The] centenary will prompt a raft of books on the Russian Revolution. They will be hard pushed to better this highly original, exhaustively researched and superbly constructed account.' Saul David, Daily Telegraph

'A gripping, vivid, deeply researched chronicle of the Russian Revolution told through the eyes of a surprising, flamboyant cast of foreigners in Petrograd, superbly narrated by Helen Rappaport.' Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of The Romanovs

Between the first revolution in February 1917 and Lenin’s Bolshevik coup in October, Petrograd (the former St Petersburg) was in turmoil. Foreign visitors who filled hotels, bars and embassies were acutely aware of the chaos breaking out on their doorsteps. Among them were journalists, diplomats, businessmen, governesses and volunteer nurses. Many kept diaries and wrote letters home: from an English nurse who had already survived the sinking of the Titanic; to the black valet of the US Ambassador, far from his native Deep South; to suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, who had come to Petrograd to inspect the indomitable Women’s Death Battalion led by Maria Bochkareava.

Drawing upon a rich trove of material and through eye-witness accounts left by foreign nationals who saw the drama unfold, Helen Rappaport takes us right up to the action – to see, feel and hear the Revolution as it happened.

[Nigeyb]

Some splendid new nominations - thank you


I'm pretty sure we've now got all our nominations however I'll wait another 24 hours to be sure.

If you want to nominate we'd love to hear from you.


NOMINATIONS so far....

Nigeyb: Monday Starts on Saturday by Arkady Strugatsky & Boris Strugatsky
Rosina: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Susan: The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin
Roman Clodia: The Russia House by John le Carré
Jan: Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 – A World on the Edge by Helen Rappaport

[Susan]

I have read, and enjoyed, three of the above already and would be happy to read, or re-read, any of the five. Excellent nominations and a fantastic choice.

[Roman Clodia]

Yes, a great selection here - and some nicely different approaches to Russia than our January Mod's Choice of The Gulag Archipelago.

[Judy]

I really fancy reading a couple of these, so won't nominate anything, but I did find a couple of interesting-sounding Russian books which I considered nominating, and will just mention them in the thread. I do want to read them both.

One is Petersburg by Andrei Bely, first published in 1913 - it's said to be a Modernist masterpiece, but is very long, so I don't think it would be good to read alongside Gulag Archipelago!

Andrei Bely's Petersburg is a colourful evocation of Russia's capital during the short, turbulent period of the first socialist revolution in 1905. Considered Bely's masterpiece, the story follows Nikolai Ableukhov's journey as he is caught up in the revolutionary politics of those seminal days; exploring themes of history, identity, and family, the novel sees the young Russian chased through the misty Petersburg streets, tasked with planting a bomb intended to kill a government official - his own father. History, culture and politics are blended and juxtaposed; weather reports, current news, fashions and psychology jostle together with people from Petersburg in this literary triumph.

Another is Envy by Yury Olesha, first published in 1927. This one is short and I was tempted, but will just add to my TBR and not nominate. :)

One of the delights of Russian literature, a tour de force that has been compared to the best of Nabokov and Bulgakov, Yuri Olesha's novella brings together cutting social satire, slapstick humor, and a wild visionary streak. Andrei is a model Soviet citizen, a swaggeringly self-satisfied mogul of the food industry who intends to revolutionize modern life with mass-produced sausage. Nikolai is a loser. Finding him drunk in the gutter, Andrei gives him a bed for the night and a job as a gofer. Nikolai takes what he can, but that doesn't mean he's grateful.

[Susan]

Both look brilliant, Judy - especially Petersburg, which really appeals. Both added to my TBR list and if you want to do them as buddy reads at some point, I'll happily join in.

[Alwynne]

If you're doing a general read or one that others can join of the Bely or the Olesha then I'd be up for that. I'm a bit of a pushover when it comes to long (or short) classic Russian novels.

[Susan]

We do have The Gulag Archipelago, 1918-1956: An Experiment in Literary Investigation coming up in Jan, Alwynne. Not a novel, but sure to be a fantastic read.

[Judy]

Thanks, Susan and Alwynne, that's great to hear. Perhaps we can schedule in a buddy read of one of them in February or March? Looks as if we have quite a lot of reads on between now and then!

Which one would you prefer to go for and what timing would work better for you? And the same questions to anyone else who is tempted. :)

They both look like eccentric/demanding writers, so might be best to take a peek inside before deciding which one appeals more! Petersburg is much cheaper on Kindle (the Penguin version based on the full Russian text is £2.99) but is also much longer, 600 pages plus.

[Judy]

Oops, just remembered this is the nomination thread - perhaps we should take discussions of a possible buddy read elsewhere! Sorry Nigeyb. I will set up a thread and post the link here.

[Alwynne]

Not sure which territories it's available in but I came across the Bely in the Pushkin press edition currently 9.01 which apparently won a translation prize and it's a more recent version than the Penguin Petersburg

[Alwynne]

Actually comparing the Penguin to the Pushkin think the Penguin flows better at least in the extract!

[Judy]

Thanks Alwynne, that's good to know. I love Pushkin Press editions in general.

I've posted about the possible Russian buddy read over in the buddy reads thread - can we take further discussion over there? And apologies again to Nigeyb for hijacking the thread. :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Alwynne]

Thanks!

[Alwynne]

BTW would be interested in the Rappaport.

[Nigeyb]

Judy wrote:


"Apologies again to Nigeyb for hijacking the thread"

No need to apologise

We love a digression, and always heart warming to see enthusiasm for new buddy reads

I'm sorting out the poll now

Watch this space

[Nigeyb]

Our January 2021 theme is Russia - so a book set in, or about, Russia that you would like to read and discuss: fiction or non-fiction, and written or set in the twentieth century. Drum roll please...

All the nominations are in and the poll is now open

Yes, it's time to vote for the book you'd most like to read and discuss in January 2021...

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

NOMINATIONS....

Nigeyb: Monday Starts on Saturday by Arkady Strugatsky & Boris Strugatsky
Rosina: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Susan: The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin
Roman Clodia: The Russia House by John le Carré
Jan: Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 – A World on the Edge by Helen Rappaport

[Susan]

Thanks, Nigeyb.

[Judy]

Nigeyb wrote: "Judy wrote:


"Apologies again to Nigeyb for hijacking the thread"

No need to apologise

We love a digression, and always heart warming to see enthusiasm for new buddy reads ..."

Thank you Nigeyb! I've just been over to vote in the poll - tough choice as always.

[Susan]

Ah, as I said above: I suspect A Gentleman in Moscow will be, deservedly, favourite. I can see it is leading in the vote, although early days.

[Nigeyb]

Susan wrote: "Ah, as I said above: I suspect A Gentleman in Moscow will be, deservedly, favourite. I can see it is leading in the vote, although early days."

We normally get the vast majority of votes in the first 24 hours so it's likely that A Gentleman in Moscow will prevail. I agree that, as soon as I saw all the nominations, I thought that it would cruise to victory.

#pollwatch

A Gentleman in Moscow - 5 votes, 41.7%
The Russia House - 3 votes, 25.0%
Monday Starts on Saturday - 2 votes, 16.7%
The Winter Queen - 2 votes, 16.7%
Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 – A World on the Edge - 0 votes, 0.0%

[Susan]

A shame the wonderful, Caught in the Revolution, has, so far, failed to get any votes. A book I enjoyed very much and an excellent nomination.

[Jan C]

I voted for it.

I read Russia House years ago. I think I enjoyed it. Also liked the movie.

[Susan]

Good to hear, Jan. Great choice.

[Nigeyb]

I suspect we've got all the votes in now however there's still time to vote...


https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

#pollwatch


A Gentleman in Moscow - 6 votes, 37.5%
The Russia House - 4 votes, 25.0%
The Winter Queen - 3 votes, 18.8%
Monday Starts on Saturday - 2 votes, 12.5%
Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 – A World on the Edge - 1 vote, 6.3%

[Nigeyb]

We have a winner


Congratulations to A Gentleman in Moscow which was nominated by Rosina

We look forward to discussing it in January 2021

Along with our Moderators Choice...

The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Thanks to everyone who nominated, voted, discussed and got involved

The final standings....

A Gentleman in Moscow - 6 votes, 35.3%
The Russia House - 4 votes, 23.5%
The Winter Queen - 3 votes, 17.6%
Monday Starts on Saturday - 2 votes, 11.8%
Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 – A World on the Edge - 2 votes, 11.8%