Discovering Russian Literature discussion
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Introduce Yourself : New Chapter
Hello, thanks for continuing this good work! I apparently have fallen over the years into love with Russian lit. My daughter and I did Anna Karenina together, and then The Brothers Karamozov. Then I was on my own and have been following the obsession since. Lately been reading Teffi and wrote a piece about it https://medium.com/books-are-our-supe...Thanks
Welcome Gary, I haven’t heard of Teffl, thanks for the Russian lit suggestion. I read a couple by the Strugatsky brothers that I really liked.
You are welcome. I appreciate having a place where I can talk about "this kind of thing."
Thanks for mentioning Teffi, I was recommended her but never did anything about it now I'll get round to following her up. Thanks for the link, too - I think she may have know my favourite Russian poet Marina Tsvetayeva. Anyone out there keen on Russian poets, I love Esenin and Akhmatova too, and many many more!
I enjoyed your article, Gary, and thanks for the rec on Teffi. I'm turning to Gogol for a while, but will check out her work soon. The world could certainly use more humor reading!
I read it too, excellent piece, and has encouraged me to get hold of her writings, many thanks!
Sandy wrote: "WOW! Thanks so much for the recommendations! I honestly can’t wait to dwell in all that melancholia!"Perfectly said!
Hello there!
Hi, my name is David. I am from Germany, study history and history of arts. My interests are Russian history, art and literature, that`s why I joined this group:)
Hello David! I hope you read some really interesting books and find some interesting people to talk to here - I love Russian literature and poetry - not so much history though! I am also trying to learn the Russian language but I am not very good at it....
I enjoyed Generations of Winter very much and I’m craving more. I joined the group fir suggests and guidance. I think I’d like to read Children of the Arbat next
Hi everybody, I'm a big fan of Gogol and Zoshchenko, reading the latter's Sentimental Tales now, a new translation, it's a riot!
Hello everyone! I'm Greta from Italy. I love Russian literature since i was 13 and I'm studying Russian at uni. I'm a bookworm and I love learning new languages. My favourite Russian author is Dostoevskij!Fun fact: this year, my classmates and I translated 2 works from Russian into Italian and our teacher (who's a translator but also self publishes his own books) published them! We translated an essay by Tolstoj and a short story by Checov. It was so hard but so much fun too and at the end we were all proud of ourselves :))
I hope to meet new friends here too as well as sharing my passion for Russian literature!
hello Greta! Bon Giorno! I'm also brand new... starting today! the fact that you are literate in the Russian Language is incredible.. it is so foreign in every sense of the word. Well done...of course you should be Proud!!
HI everyone. I read Dostoyevsky's 'Notes from Underground' years ago, and loved it. But I then, sadly, stopped reading altogether for a long time. Only recently did I return to my former hobby and somehow found myself intrigued by Russian 19th century authors: Chekhov, Gogol, Turgenev for starters. Two of my employees are Russian so I picked their brains for additional writers to read but I'm hoping this group will also enlighten me on my journey into Russian literature.
Hi everyoneI've just joined this group and I'm looking forward to your thoughts and recommendations re Russian Literature. My interests are in 20th century writers, especially the early twentieth century. Also Chekhov, who straddles both 19th and early 20th. The explosion of writing post 1905 revolution was incredible. Special fan of Mayakovsky. I've used these interests to write a novel about some of these writers, so they have another life somewhere!
hello Ben and Welcome. I've hardly touched the surface of many of these authors -aside from the most famous i.e. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. What pleased me no end is your mentioning Vasily Grossman... one of my new found authors too. I've just received a copy of "Everything Flows", but I'm still reading "The Road" and making comparisons to the uncannily similar war stories that are unfolding in Ukraine!I'm saving his most famous work "LIFE AND FATE" to savour at the end. According to the Introduction by Linda Grant -
"Novels fade, your immersion in their world turns into a faint dream and then is forgotten. Only great literature grows in the
imagination. Grossman's book did more than grow -it seemed to replace everything I had previously thought and felt, filling me with what Grossman calls "the furious joy of life itself" which I have never lost."
Ben & Bonitai,Yes, Vasili Grossman ...
I'm reading "Everything Flows" and "Life and Fate" over and over and over ... again. Every time I find something new ... I have the same with Solzhenitsyn and Dostoyevsky …
Welcome Ben, I recognise your name from The Classical Literature group on Facebook. Good to see you on here and look forward to you sharing your knowledge.
Just finished Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad|24727079]. Anderson is not an historian or music scholar, to my knowledge, but he’s done his homework and is an excellent storyteller.Ben, have you read Platonov short story The Return? About a vet returning from WWII and struggling with reassuming his place in his family. The ending is a knee-buckler.
Eleni wrote: "Hi everyone! I joined this group some months ago but just saw this discussion 'introduce yourself' so I thought I'd do that still!My name is Eleni, I'm from the Netherlands and 20 years old. I'm ..."
Welcome, Eleni!
That’s an impressively ambitious reading project you’ve assigned yourself. I’ve read Bros. K (probably my pick for greatest novel ever — though not necessarily my favorite, if you accept the distinction), but not W&P. It is on my shelf, though, its looming presence like a rusting hulk of abandoned wheat thresher. It scares me.
Nonetheless, I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on reading them together.
Bohemien wrote: "Hi. I'm a fan of Russian literature and culture in general. Currently reading Doctor Zhivago."Don't know why I've avoided this novel, Bohemien? Something to do with all the Hollywood flash of movie version, perhaps, though I've never even seen it. Typically irrational response. So, look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
Eleni wrote: "Hi Tom,thank you! It was not planned to read them at the same time, but because W&P had to go back to the library I decided to start Br. Karamazov, which I like better I must say. It is really on..."
Yes, Fyodor does like to preach; fortunately they are stirring sermons.
The many, many voices, indeed, chirping and cawing about one's ears. He is the mockingbird of Russian Lit.
As for Leo, I'll probably stick to rereading favorite short stories, such as the masterful "Master and Man" and "Death of Ivan Ilyich" (see Chekhov's response, "A Boring Story"). And the novella Hadji Murat.
At heart I'm a short story acolyte. If I were to pair up any Russians, it would be Chekhov and Babel, with Gogol kibitzing maniacally from the wings.
Bohemien wrote: "Hi. I'm a fan of Russian litera novel, and I must ture and culture in general. Currently reading Doctor Zhivago." I love this novel, I must re-read it. Apparently there;s a new translation. I think it's by one of the Pasternak family, which I'd be interested to read.
Tom wrote: "Bohemien wrote: "Hi. I'm a fan of Russian literature and culture in general. Currently reading Doctor Zhivago."Don't know why I've avoided this novel, Bohemien? Something to do with all the Holly..."I love both the film and the novel but I know what you mean!
Bohemien wrote: "Hi Sue. I’m reading the ‘standard’ translation, by Harari and Hayward. I hope that if I read this book again, it will be in its original Russian form :). I enjoy reading and listening to words in t..." Yes, that's the version I've got. I've been learning Russian (well, trying to) for decades, so I don't think I'll ever be reading anything in the original other than very short poems! I can't remember the name of one of the books I want to recommend about the Russian Revolution but it was filmed as Reds with Warren Beatty who also directed it. I'm thinking 7 Days that Shook the World but I could be way off!!!
Bohemien wrote: "Hi Sue. I’m reading the ‘standard’ translation, by Harari and Hayward. I hope that if I read this book again, it will be in its original Russian form :). I enjoy reading and listening to words in t..." Yes, that's the version I've got. I've been learning Russian (well, trying to) for decades, so I don't think I'll ever be reading anything in the original other than very short poems! I can't remember the name of one of the books I want to recommend about the Russian Revolution but it was filmed as Reds with Warren Beatty who also directed it. I'm thinking 7 Days that Shook the World but I could be way off!!!
Sue wrote: "Bohemien wrote: "Hi Sue. I’m reading the ‘standard’ translation, by Harari and Hayward. I hope that if I read this book again, it will be in its original Russian form :). I enjoy reading and listen..." Actually it was Ten days That Shook the World, I was a few days out. And Dr Zhivago was directed by David Lean, so you're correct, it is British.
Bohemien wrote: "Tom, I think I know the feeling. I always avoid things that are too hyped-up and I’m not a fan of Hollywood in general. However, the movie from 1967 is very good. And if I’m not mistaken, it’s a Br..."yer winning me over, Bohemien.
Re Russ Rev, I know these books by rep only -- how many mono-syllabic "R" abbreviations can I stuff in this sentence? -- but they consistently pop up on "best of" lists:
A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution, 1891 -
1924
Ten Days that Shook the World
Going out on a limb here, but judging by the titles alone, the former appears to address much wider scope than the latter. And Figes has long list of Russ history titles on his res (there, managed to sneak in another one ... it's a slow day here ... ).
Tom wrote: "Bohemien wrote: "Tom, I think I know the feeling. I always avoid things that are too hyped-up and I’m not a fan of Hollywood in general. However, the movie from 1967 is very good. And if I’m not mi..."John Reed, who wrote Ten Days, was a journalist covering the Bolshevik Revolution and it also covers his relationship with Louise Bryant who also wrote a book on the subject. so yes, its from a different perspective, very personal, well worth reading. The film Reds is a fantastic film, and very much worth a watch!
Greta wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm Greta from Italy. I love Russian literature since i was 13 and I'm studying Russian at uni. I'm a bookworm and I love learning new languages. My favourite Russian author is Dost..."Impressive, Greta! What's next, Dante into Russian? Or maybe Pushkin into Italian? Calvino into Russian would be interesting, to say the least.
Hello! My name is Natasha, I'm 20, and I'm from France! I'm a university student in Russian language and literature, and also in English & Arabic. I absolutely love Russian movies and songs (all thanks to my Russian grandfather <3) and I've recently started to get into Russian literature, partly for my studies but also for my personal enjoyment. My favorite actor is Sergei Bodrov Jr. and he's the reason why I got into Russian literature with Morphine by Mikhail Bulgakov, since he wrote the screenplay for the movie. I'm currently reading The Penguin Novels by Andrey Kurkov, and it's very good so far.
Nice to meet you all!
Natasha wrote: "Hello! My name is Natasha, I'm 20, and I'm from France! I'm a university student in Russian language and literature, and also in English & Arabic. I absolutely love Russian movies and songs (all th..."How interesting,Natasha. I didn’t know Bulgakov wrote screenplays. I assumed the ban on Master and Margarita applied to anything with his name on it. Anyway, welcome!
HI all, Im Yasira, from Sri Lanka. I don't speak Russian but read them in English translations. Love 19th-century Russian classics.
Pubudu wrote: "HI all, Im Yasira, from Sri Lanka. I don't speak Russian but read them in English translations. Love 19th-century Russian classics."Welcome Yasira, I love the classics too! I keep trying to decide which is my favourite but too difficult to decide!
Pubudu wrote: "HI all, Im Yasira, from Sri Lanka. I don't speak Russian but read them in English translations. Love 19th-century Russian classics."Greetings, Yasira. I see you have Lermontov on your list of favorite reads but couldn’t find your review. Been meaning to read him for some time.
Hello hello! I am Beatrice from Germany. I love the Russian literature and language ^_^ I am glad, I found this group :)
Welcome, Beatrice! Who are your favourite writers? Do you speak Russian? I have been trying to learn fpr many years but I am not very good!
Hi, everyone! My name is Emmie, but I go by Em by most people. I am quite new to Russian Literature (a couple of works from Nabokov had previously been my only taste of it) and I am relatively new to Goodreads as well. After starting The Brothers Karamazov at the beginning of the month, I quickly fell in love with Dostoevsky and picked up Joseph Frank's biography on him too. I tried a bit of Gogol recently and really enjoyed that as well. I am really looking forward to finding more Russian works to try and would greatly appreciate any recommendations, also very excited about jumping into some of the other threads soon too.
Sue wrote: "Welcome, Beatrice! Who are your favourite writers? Do you speak Russian? I have been trying to learn fpr many years but I am not very good!"Hello! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
for the russian literature my favourite writers are: Gogol', Pushkin, Starobinec; Bulgakov.
I speak a basic level of Russian ^_^ but I hope, it will increase with time on my side :) I learn with the Birkenbihl's Method, maybe it is something for you too!
I've never heard of that method, but will look it up. I just do Duolingo but occasionally have a real lessn. I read reasonably well, but an hopeless at speaking and grannar!
I meant grammar! Am trying to type with a cat on my lap!
Sue wrote: "I've never heard of that method, but will look it up. I just do Duolingo but occasionally have a real lessn. I read reasonably well, but an hopeless at speaking and grannar!"I used to learn with duolingo too, but after the update it became no longer helpful for me, so I switched back to my grammar book and then started with the Birkenbihl's method.
Thanks for the tip! I don't practice as much as I should and Duolingo is free so that's why I stick with it, but I don't feel I learn that much from it. I'm guessing Birkenbihl costs money, but I am intrigued by their teaching methods, sounds very good! I don't believe I'll ever get the hang of grammar though - I'm not good at English grammar and I'm British!
Hello! New to Russian lit. After decades of being addicted to (and snobbish about) non-fiction, I began broadening my reading horizons by dabbling in historical fiction. I took on the Century Triology, loved it, and just had to learn more about Russian history. A love affair kindled. Can't wait to chat with you!
Welcome Samantha! I don't think I'm familiar with the Century Trilogy but it's probably something I should read! I enjoy Russian history and fiction, and have just started a history of the Kremlin. I;ll remember the author's name soon.....
Hello Samantha and welcome! =)@sue the Birkenbihl's method is free, it is made of three simple steps. I can write them here for you later this evening from my computer :) of course you can also find them online too. You just need a text in Russian and the slowly audio of it (I use for it a YouTube video where the first chapter of Cheburashka is read).
OO wow, thanks so much. I really should have a go at a different method, it might move me on a bit!!!
Here I am :DFirst you need a Russian text and audio (spoken slowly).
I use this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF8xv... (it's from the youtube channel "Boost your Russian". In the video the youtuber reads slowly in Russian the first chapter of Krokodil Gena i ego dryzya).
1. Decoding:
Birkenbihl method combines each text in foreign language with a word-by-word translation in your native language.
Example:
Мне холодно.
me cold. (decoded in english).
2. Active listening:
You decoded a small text from russian to your native language. Now it's time to listen to the russian audio while you read your decoded text in your native language.
You can repeat this step each time you want until you are confident with the new words and phrases.
3. Passive listening:
Passive listening is a very important part of the Birkenbihl's method. In this step you listen the audio again and again during every-day activities such as driving, cooking, relaxing, etc. However neither conscious sound interpretation nor special content understanding needs to be made. Doing this you become familiar with the sound patterns of the Russian language.
When you are so familiar with the audio, that you can clearly hear each word and know its meaning, then you can start all over with a new text :)
With this method you don't need grammar books, because your brain learns through decodification and creates its grammar connections between the two languages.
Discovering Russian Literature
Books mentioned in this topic
Крокодил Гена и его друзья (other topics)A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution, 1891 - 1924 (other topics)
Ten Days that Shook the World (other topics)
Hadji Murat (other topics)
Life and Fate (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Maxim Gorky (other topics)Nina Sadur (other topics)
Sergei Lukyanenko (other topics)
Leo Tolstoy (other topics)
Fyodor Dostoevsky (other topics)
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I believe Canadians share some national characteristics with Russians due to geography and climate.
Enjoy discussing any and all literature.