Introduce Yourself : New Chapter

[Polyne]

Hi, I'm Polina a.k.a Polyne. My mom is Russian from St.Petersburg, Russia. I was born in St.Peters, but I grew up in Tanzania. My dad is Tanzanian. Both of my parents live in Tanzania. Yes - I have the best of both worlds. I've only read Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I've never been very enthusiastic about Russian literature because it's too depressing. But, I wanna give it try - again.

[Kendall H]

Hello, my name is Kendall. I am a non-russian speaker from the U.S. (Kentucky). I have read a couple of Russian classics - Crime and Punishment is one of my favorite titles. I joined this group to have someone (anyone!) to talk to about the books, especially since I'll be starting a GreatCourses series on classics of Russian Literature. Thank you all in advance, and I look forward to chatting with you.

[Polyne]

I've only read Anna Karenina so far.

[verde]

Hello everybody! I am Raluca from Romania! I love Russian literature. The way they think of life... Wish you all Happy Holidays!

[Janith]

Hello , I'm Janith from Sri Lanka. I'm a big fan of Russian classics. These are the best Russian stories I've read so far by each great Russian author,
Nikolai Gogol - Dead Souls
Anton Chekhov - The Dual
Leo Tolstoy - Resurrection
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - Humiliated and Insulted
Maxim Gorky - Mother
Aleksandr Pushkin - The Tale of Tsar Saltan
Ivan Turgenev - Mumu
Chinghiz Aitmatov - The First Teacher

[Jason]

Hi I'm Jason. I'm pretty much always reading a Russian classic. Currently working on War and Peace (I'm a slow reader).

[Michael]

Hello, just writing to introduce myself to the group. Its been a long path to my (re)discovery of Russian literature, but I’m glad I finally made it here.

When I entered the criminal justice profession around 1999, I naturally turned to Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment (Coulson trans.) for some guidance. Despite being fascinated by the work, for one reason or another, I went on to reading and doing other things.

Then, in 2014, a confluence of events caused me to re-discover what I had left behind. First, I learned that my extended family - German immigrants to Russia - once lived in small villages along the Black Sea. Second, while watching the closing Olympic ceremony in Sochi, I realized how many gifted writers Russia has produced and their monumental works that I had not yet read. Finally, I went down for knee surgery, and with my newfound down-time I thought what better time to knock-out a commitment book like War and Peace?

I was blown away by W&P and turned to Dostoevsky’s Idiot and Brothers Karamazov (all P&V trans.). Now I’m hooked, and am reading Eugene Onegin (Falen trans.) to see how it all began. I’m thinking Pasternak is next.

In any event, I have a lot of questions about recommended translations and other things, and hope to be able to contribute in whatever small way I can. I look forward to learning from you all and hearing what you have to say about these remarkable pieces of literature.

Mike

[Bigollo]

Mdcesq wrote: "Hello, just writing to introduce myself to the group. Its been a long path to my (re)discovery of Russian literature, but I’m glad I finally made it here.

When I entered the criminal justice prof..."

Welcome, Mike. I am Russian but still (re)discovering Russian literature, doubting in the process that one lifetime is enough for the task. Hey, take a look at our current poll. It goes sort of slowly. Only four books to choose from; and only five votes at the moment. Take a look, maybe something will get your attention.

[Michael]

Bigollo, thank you for the welcome. It does seem it would take a lifetime to fully, or even substantially, discover Russian Literature. I feel like I have already lived an entire lifetime through the characters in W&P alone. And that was just one book!

Thanks for the tip on the polls. Definitely interested in reading Nabokov so that will probably garner my vote. Still interested in Pasternak too, and will likely seek recommended translations if I can't find a previous post on the topic.

[Josh]

Hello,

My name is Josh and I am an English major that aspires to become a writer of horror and speculative fiction.

I have a strong enthusiasm for broadening my horizons for literature in general, but there is something quite fascinating about Russian literature. I began with adoring the shorter works, but I have an eye on reading some more and longer works of Russian literature.

My favorite Russian writers include Alexander Pushkin, Anton Chekhov, and Joseph Brodsky, but I began and want to finish Pasternak's "Dr. Zhivago" and Bulgakov's "The Master & Margarita."

I am eager to broaden my horizons in Russian literature and hope to learn about more books, written works, writers, and authors from the area.

[Natasha]

Dear Josh, if you are really eager to broaden your horizons in Russian literature and learn about more books, written works, writers, and authors from the area, have a look at the GLAS series of new Russian writing in English translation: www.glas.msk.su This is the largest database on contemporary Russian fiction available in English.
Natasha Perova, editor of Glas

[hythm]

hey
its haitham here
i got caught in russian lit cause started to read up about lu xun -a chinese write and intellectual- and he seems to love Russian literature, so started with gogol but thought might as well join a group that increases my reading and knowledge of russian literature as a whole

[Mark]

Good evening! Took me nearly 50 years to discover my love for reading but here I am! Had read "Crime and Punishment" and "One Day on the life of..." (As everyone should!) as a youth, but re-read recently. Now I'm digging into Gogol's "Dead Souls" and a collection of "Great Russian Stories" featuring works by Pushkin, Turgenev, Tolstoy, Checkhov, Gorky and others. Not quite sure what it is that appeals to me about Russian literature just yet, but powerful stories that feel so real could be one reason... Thanks for being here, group!

[dely]

Welcome Haitham and Mark! Do join in some group reads. Now we are reading My Childhood by Maxim Gorky and there is also the discussion for the nominations of the march group read.

[Bigollo]

Andrea wrote: "Hi!

I'm Andrea and I discovered Russian Literature in High School. In High School I read "Crime and Punishment", and then "The Brothers Karamazov", which is one of my favorite books of all time. ..."

FYI: There is an excellent movie made by Andrei Tarkovsky - Stalker; it's loosely based on the Roadside Picnic. I think the brothers wrote the script for the movie as well.

Tarkovsky has another great sci fi movie - Solaris, this time based on of the same name book by another big name in sci fi lit, this time Polish, - Stanislav Lemm.

[Matt]

Hey guys, I'm Matt from California. Just joined Goodreads. I only read Russian novels. Dostoyevsky is my favorite author

[Natasha]

It's time this group tries something contemporary. I recommend The Little Man by Lisa Alexandrova-Zorina (published by Glas in 2014)It is reminiscent of this famous film Leviathan which nearly won the Oscar.
See other Glas books at www.glas.msk.su
Natasha Perova

[Skeetor]

Hello, all!
I hope everyone's doing fine today!
I'm Skeetor, originally from Ohio but currently living in Louisiana. I'm glad to have found this group.
I just got a copy of Oblomov downloaded onto my Kindle and am rarin' to go.

[Michael]

Hi all, My name is Michael and I'm a Russian lit lover from Australia. Though I have come to the realisation that I haven't read enough and need to rectify that. I'm planning to reading as much Russian lit as I can find and thought joining this group will help develop a deeper knowledge on the topic.

[Vanjr]

Michael wrote: "Hi all, My name is Michael and I'm a Russian lit lover from Australia. Though I have come to the realisation that I haven't read enough and need to rectify that. I'm planning to reading as much Rus..."

I am with you Michael. I get all excited about writers I never heard of till I was in my 50s like Gogol and Pushkin. My kids are at least hearing these names and maybe they will catch on sooner in life than i did.

[Seth]

Hi all. My name is Seth, I'm from New Orleans, and I've found myself reading quite a bit of Russian (and other Eastern European) literature. Have read Crime and Punishment, Master and Margarita, Notes from Underground and (most of) War and Peace. I will probably pick up a copy of Oblomov the next time I have a little book money.

[Monte]

Hello,

I am Russian but was an orphan so did not learn the language. I have read some Russian literature and find it to be very fascinating. I hope to find some new authors to read in this group.

[Hilary]

Welcome Monte and all the new people! I'm afraid that through different circumstances and ill health I have not been able be active in the too many groups that I have joined! I am still reading W & P at a snail's pace even though I'm reading it with a book club. I wish you all well!

[Dostoyevsky]

Hi All!
I'm Lauren, huge fan of Russian literature (obviously), and Dostoyevsky in particular. Just finished rereading 'The Double,' and it gave me some serious nightmares. Might try something a little more fun for the next book!

[Ellison]

Dostoyevsky wrote: "Hi All!
I'm Lauren, huge fan of Russian literature (obviously), and Dostoyevsky in particular. Just finished rereading 'The Double,' and it gave me some serious nightmares. Might try something a li..."

I love "The Double." It's the only Dostoyevsky story I've ever read. I will read more in the future, but I'm sticking to third-person short stories for now because it's my favorite perspective in literature, and Dostoyevsky like to write in the first-person. Although, I do have "The Brothers Karamazov" taunting me from the bookshelf.

[Dostoyevsky]

D.E. wrote: "Dostoyevsky wrote: "Hi All!
I'm Lauren, huge fan of Russian literature (obviously), and Dostoyevsky in particular. Just finished rereading 'The Double,' and it gave me some serious nightmares. Migh..."

"Crime and Punishment" is also third person, but definitely NOT a short story.

[[deleted user]]

Hello everyone,

My name is Dakota and I'm currently residing in Texas. I read all sorts of things, but I've recently become fascinated with Russian literature, and look forward to discovering new things in this group. I've been particularly involved with Dostoyevsky, and just finished Notes From the Underground & The Double! :)

[Karolina]

Hi, I'm not Russian either, but Polish (still close, Slavic countries rule :D). I started being interested in Russian literature because my Polish language teacher told us to read "The Karamazov Brothers", "Crime and Punishment" and "The Master and Margarita" (but I feel I need to re-read them for better understanding, you know, time pressure doesn't work well...) Also I read for myself "Anna Karenina" and "Lolita" so far. I'm getting more and more fascinated so I'm glad I found this group!

[Dmitri]

Hello, Everyone!
What really excites me in this group, and what I really appreciate, is that I found a lot of people from the English-speaking world here. Of course, I knew that Russian literature is a popular topic throughout the world, but anyway, it's a pleasure to see it here again. Of course, everybody (here, at least) knows such names as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, maybe Chekhov. Less Pushkin, despite the fact that, as Dante Alighieri was a creator of modern Italian language, Alexander Pushkin was a creator of modern Russian. But seeing here that people are reading and enjoying such great Russian (I should say Soviet) writers as Michael Bulgakov makes me jubilant. Being a professional writer and educator of Russian literature myself, I can't resist reminding everyone interested the name of Boris Pasternak, and his novel "Doctor Zhivago". Also, for those who are really "hooked", Vladimir Nabokov's "Lectures on Russian Literature" is a must! Have a good reads, Everyone! Pleasure to be with you! 

[Linda]

hi
My name is Linda and I live in New York. I am studying the Russian language and just returned from a trip to moscow and st Petersburg. so I am feeling inspired to learn more about Russian literature

[Dmitri]

Hi Linda, I think quite an interesting journey awaits you :) Have a "good reads!"

[Polyne]

Hello everyone! My name is Polina, aka Polyne. I'm in my late thirties; I am from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I'm a mixed race woman: Russian & Tanzanian. Currently, I reside in Algeria with my four beloved kiddos. Take care and y'all have a nice one.

[Kell]

Hi all,

I am new to Goodreads, and this group. I am interested in Russian history and study the Russian language (on and off, I am a lazy language student, with a full-time job and part time studies in Chemistry and Maths :P). I have really enjoyed all the Russian literature I have read, so would love to really sink my teeth into more! My favourites (so far) are Anna Karenina and Dead Souls. I would love to know more about very early Russian writing (14th-15th C?) and more modern literature and poetry. Question: Are group reads announced a fair bit ahead of time? I often need to order in books from Overseas (I am in regional Australia) when looking for more obscure titles.

[Seth]

Welcome, Kell. This group isn't strict AT ALL. From what I've read, we're all just folks looking to understand culture better in the midst of our busy lives. I'm from New Orleans and don't know a ton about Russia, but I've had quite a few Russian friends who have all been amazing people. Boisterous, smart and humorous as all get-out.

[Abram]

So I'm a well read person in general, but not in Russian books. I read War and Peace(I had mix feelings about that book), I read a collection of short stories by Tolstoy(I thought they were brilliant), I want to read Anna Karina(I downloaded it). Anyways onward from Tolstoy, I love Vladimir Nabokov. I realized he is more contemporary, but he is one of my favorite writers. I really want to try out Fyodor Dostoevsky( especially The Brothers Karamazov, which I have a copy of). I know he is not a Russian writer but I loved The unbearable lightness of Being by Milan Kundra. He lives right next to Russia so I thought he was worth mentioning.

[Abram]

By the way, The Death of Ivan Ilych is the Tolstoy story that floored me. The Devils is pretty good too.

[John]

I am doing some research on a Thoroughbred horse by the name of "Morvich". The colt won the 1922 Kentucky Derby and reportedly was named, by his breeder, A.B. Spreckels of the Sugar fortune. "Well, name him Morvich, said Mr. Spreckels. I've been reading a Russian novel in which the hero, a twisted sort of fellow bears that name. Perhaps the colt, Morvich may come out from behind as the man Morvich did."
I have been unable to determine the novel in question and wonder if there is an expert in Russian Literature who can solve this mystery?
By the way, my favorite Russian Novel is The Idiot.

[Dmitri]

I wouldn't consider myself an "expert" of the Russian literature, but as a writer and historian specializing on Russian history I think I can solve your puzzle.
First of all, there is NO Russian name "Mirvich". That's for sure. As always, English-speaking people have difficulties with Russian names. ;) (Please, take no offense). You probably mistake it with the name "Mirovich" and that is exactly the title of the novel by famous Russian historical novelist of the end of 19 century, Danilevsky.
Lieutenant Mirovich, was the head of the failed coup attempt in 1764, during the reign of Catherine the Great. Minovich, while on duty in Shlesserburg castle, where Prince John was imprisoned, tried to free the prisoner and elevate him to the throne instead of Catherine. Prince John, at that time, was the sole legitimate heir to the Russian throne. Unlike Catherine who usurped the throne, as a result of a palace coup.
Hope it will help.

[John]

Dmitri, I believe you have solved the puzzle of a famous thoroughbred horse,"Morvich". Mirvich by Danilevsky was most certainly the Russian novel which led to the naming of the black colt, in 1919. Thoroughbred historians and authors have searched for an answer for years. Your message also contained a clue to the misspelling of Mirvich. After searching for an english translation, for verification and my own reading, I was not able to find a current copy. My thoughts then turned to Adolph Spreckels and his family roots and studies in Germany. It is not yet confirmed, but I believe Mr. Spreckels was fluent in German and perhaps read a German translation during 1919-1920. With a little help from the stable hands at his ranch, Mirvich then became Morvich. I am very appreciative of your time and effort in providing a wonderful response to the mystery.
Most respectfully, John

[Dmitri]

John, I wish you luck in your research, but ... once again, please, take a closer look on spelling of that name.
It's - M I R O V I C H , not Mivich, or Morvich. Maybe that's why you couldn't find the record in English.

[Dmitri]

John,
Just putting a correctly spalled name in Wikipedia search I immediately was redirected to the authors page. Despite the fact that according to Wikipedia "Mirovich" has never been translated in English (other novels was, though) it may be interesting to take a look: Grigory Danilevsky

[Limey]

For anyone who can read Russian that book is in the public domain, seeing as the author died in 1890 http://royallib.com/author/danilevski..., I'm interested too in the fact that he wrote a Sci Fi book called '100 years in the future', always interesting to see people's imagination of the future from the past (our present or past), and we're even almost 150 years in the future already. Interesting to note too that here is an example of the use of the term Novorossiya, 150 years ago, proving again that this isn't just a term made up by modern Russia, but has a whole historical reality. But let's stop that conversation there. Мирович (Mirovich): Russian edition

[Mar]

Hi all!
My name is Marce and a huge fan of Russian history, culture and literature... I even work for a Russian company and travel to Russia in a regular basis.
I come to the group to know more about Russia and to find new exciting Russian books.

[Nik]

Hi Guys,

When I was a kid I .... didn't like Russian literature that much -:), because it was on school syllabus, but even then I couldn't resist the charm of Pushkin's verses or ever tragic appeal of Russian soul as portrayed by Turgenev or Dostoyevski.

I'm a big fan of Russian sci-fi from Strugatski brothers to modern authors. I like last century and contemporary fiction of Zoschenko, Dovlatov, Pelevin, Veller, Minayev, etc...

In my downtime I write Oligarch series. In case anyone would want to take a look, two books are already out:

Rise of an Oligarch

Mortal Showdown

Glad to find such a large group interested in Russian literature.

Already yours,

Nik

[Jordi]

Hi,

I am new here. My name is Jordi and live in the Netherlands. I am often busy with studying. However, in case I have time I enjoy reading. I like Russian classical literature, but I also like other things e.g. contemporary fiction and non-fiction. I am especially fond of the Dostoevsky's writings.

[Mark]

Hi, I'm Mark. I have just started reading War and Peace. I will look through your discussions to see if there are any related or group-reads that were done.

[Dmitri]

Welcome to the club, SZ. It's interesting, what you're saying about Bulgakov. I always wondered if it's possible to translate Master and Margarita in English adequately. Your experience seams like proving my doubts. What exactly "blocks" you in this novel? It would be interesting to know.

[[deleted user]]

Sara wrote: "Hello! Have dabbled into Russian literature here and there over the last couple of years with Pushkin and Lermontov as favourites. I've since been adopted into a Russian family so have more books r..."

Hi Sara! I can recommend you to read Turgenev's works. Start with some of his early novels that you will find, I hope you'll admire its reading. You will notice presumably how close was Turgenev to Pushkin and at the same time to French classical writers.

[nick]

Hey everyone, I'm Nick, and I'm from Virginia. I do not, from what I know, have a drop of Russian blood in me....but that doesn't stop me from reading all of their literature. Dostoevsky is my favorite, he truly is a master, but I've also dabbled in Tolstoy, Gogol, Chekhov and Pushkin. I'm not reading any Russian literature at the moment, but I'm excited to for the future and also to have this group to highlight my reviews and gain insight!

[Kris]

If you have not read it yet, I recommend Dr. Zhivago as a brilliant winter read and the 1960s version of the movie is almost as good. Winter is a beautiful time in Moscow!