Introduce Yourself : New Chapter

[Morticia]

Hello, I used to read a lot of Russian literature - the writers I most enjoyed were Bulgakhov, Pushkin, Chekhov, and Lermontov. After a long break I'm trying to get back into it and finding it a challenge - so I'm sure I'll get lots of insights from these discussions, but probably won't be able to contribute much!

[Amalie]

Welcome Morticia & Lolo - I'm so pleased you've decided to join us! I'm looking forward to hearing your recommendations and comments!

Morticia,we'll be starting "The Master and Margarita" on June so join us, I'm sure it'll help you to get back in the saddle.

[Bahar]

Hello everyone! I'm Bahar and I'm from Iran but it's couple of months that I moved to USA. I love russian litreture, but some parts of them is kind of wierd, may be by disscussing I'll get a better understanding of it.
I'm physics student and at the same time in love with litreture.
I had read lots of poems and great novels from Russian writers.
That's it.

[Morticia]

Amalie, thank you, that's very good news. The Master and Margarita is one of my all-time favourite books, it will be a real pleasure to re-read it.

Best wishes
Morticia

[TheRavenking]

Hello,

My name is Stefan and I’m from Germany. I started reading Russian literature about ten years ago and I almost became a little obsessed with the Russian classics like Dostoevsky and Tolstoi. I also really like modern Russian writers like Viktor Pelewin or Boris Akunin. And I’m always looking for new recommendations.

[Daniel]

Greetings, my name is Daniel. I know some Russian, not much, and am planning on learning more. I have enjoyed reading Russian literature in translation. I struggle with 19th century realism. I guess I get bored when the story gets too bogged down in what seems mundane detail. Perhaps my favorite is One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. I also enjoy Pushkin and Bulgakov and the plays of Anton Checkhov. I've read The Master and Margarita several times but will be happy to read it again. I have a Russian lit shelf.

[Daniel]

Ian wrote: "Hello, everyone! Robin, Great to see a familiar face here! My name's Ian, and I'm a huge fan of Russia's greatest poet, Vladimir Vysotsky. I'm Russian but I've written a novel in English -- wonder ..."

I have a volume of Vysotsky that was published in the Soviet Union, 1990, I guess. It's entitled Hamlet with a Guitar Both Russian and English translation. Wish I could read the Russian.

[Amalie]

So happy to see all the new members and love the idea we have members all over the globe!!! This group is growing so fast!

Welcome Bahar, Stefan and Daniel. Hope you all enjoy the group. I really look forward to talking to you through out the posts. Daniel, I really encourage you to check the thread of "The Overcoat" our current reading short fiction. You'll find it easier to digest 19th century realism, at least what's connected to this specific tale. Enjoy!

Stefan, a good idea we can talk about modern Russian writers. So feel free to start a thread. I'm sure other will like it but I don't think we'll do any group reads on them, (not for a long time anyway.)

[Robert]

Hi, I've been an avid reader of Russian fiction for forty years. For my first teaching job at the Cambridge School of Weston (Massachusetts), I was asked to lead a class through Dostoevsky (Crime and Punishment), Chekhov (the stories and plays), and Tolstoy (Anna Karenina.) My moment of true enlightenment came when I realized that Anna Karenina was teaching itself, even though my students were 11th and 12th graders, and it's a massive book. I just sat on the desk and listened to them debate and discuss the previous night's reading.

Lately, I've been writing short stories from the perspective of either Russian authors (Chekhov) or characters. I'm now writing, story by story, a sequel to The Brothers Karamazov. Dostoevesky had plans to do this but died before he could. He wanted to focus on Alexei. I'm spreading the stories across all three brothers and taking them to America, arriving here in the late 1800s and taking them, and their descendants up to 1977.

If you're interested in how I go about such things, a story called "The Ashtray," which centers on Chekhov, was published a few issues ago in the Green Hills LIterary Lantern. You can find it on the web.

I'll be posting some comments/reviews on Russian books I've lately been reading, including Cancer War, Turgenev's literary reminiscences (with a dazzling introduction by Edmund Wilson,) Lenin in Zurich (another Solzhenitsyn novel, and the Master and Margarita.

I should mention also that I recently read Nabokov's lectures on Russian writers--they were superb.

My other recent work has focused on the Age of Augustus and Herod the Great--it's a novel called THE BOOK OF KINGS AND QUEENS.

Lenin in ZurichStories of Anton ChekhovLectures on Russian LiteratureCancer Ward

[Amalie]

Wow Robert it sounds really interesting!! A sequel to The Brothers Karamazov? That sounds amazing! I hope you'll take time to share your insight when we come to a Group Read on that, and welcome to the group!

[Mary Ellen]

Hi everyone. My name is Mary Ellen from the US and I'm fairly new to Goodreads. I'm happy I stumbled upon this group, since I am fascinated by Russian Literature. I hope to draw from the knowledge of the other members to help me understand and enjoy the literature even more. I don't think I'll have a lot to contribute, but I'll try!

[Sharie]

Hi all!
My name is Sharie and I live in Seattle. I found this group just by chance while surfing around Goodreads. I am really interested in Russian literature, and am excited about expanding my knowledge of Russian authors.

[Prashant]

Hi stefen and Hi sharie! Nice to meet u..
and welcome to this common podium .

[Prashant]

Mary Ellen wrote: "Hi everyone. My name is Mary Ellen from the US and I'm fairly new to Goodreads. I'm happy I stumbled upon this group, since I am fascinated by Russian Literature. I hope to draw from the knowled..."
Hi Marie, welcome to the group.

[Mark]

Hello! So happy to find this group. I have recently started working on a second novel mostly set in Ukraine. (have been there quite a bit the past years). Then found Kurkov, this led to other writers. I am about to finish The Master and Margarita...and noticed that is a book up for discussion soon. Great timing! Anyhow, I look forward to learn of more to read out here. Thanks! - Mark Graham - North carolina, USA

[Eliza]

Hi, my name is Eliza and I'm from the United States. The only russian novel I have read to date is Anna Karenina but I've also read some of Chekov's stories and I just finished "The Overcoat". I've thouroughly enjoyed what I've read so far and am looking foward to more.

[Amalie]

Echoing Prashant there, Mary Ellen and Sharie you are both very welcome. I say "aye" for what you both say, Russian literature is really fascinating. Please come and join us at group readings, we are just starting Father Sergius under Short Fiction.

Mark, great timing indeed! We'll be starting The Master and Margarita very soon. I'm hoping to see you and welcome to "Discovering Russian Literature!"

I'm so curious to learn all the different interpretations, for such a fascinating and a complicated novel.

[David]

Hi Mary Ellen. I like Russian literature although African American literature is my main focus.

[Vrixton]

Hey all! My name's Vrixton and I live just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

I've always had a love for Russia. In fact, my mother nearly named me Vrixtoff, but having grown up in the Cold War decided against it lol.

I'm reading Crime and Punishment at the moment, but I plan to read The Master and Margarita with you all :] In fact, it's reason no.2 why I joined!

[Amalie]

Welcome Vrixton - You have perfect timing as we're just coming up to our June group reads - The Master and Margarita (Long Fiction) and Father Sergius (Short Fiction) - I hope you'll get involved with our little group and that you'll enjoy the experience.

Patrice, we've already met! :) I'm really glad you decided to stay till the place was resurrected. I hope we'll be able to come back to War and Peace on another time.

[Dorly]

Hello!! I have always loved Russian literature, as I grew up with it (my grandmother was a teacher of Russian language and she suggested War and Peace as a nice read when I was 12!!). Great group, well done Miss Moderator and everybody else from the "staff" ;)

[Amalie]

Hi Dorly! You are welcome and thanks for introducing yourself. It's good to see this thread is active again.

Make yourself at home and make sure you come to nominate your favourite for our next group read which will start in August. The nominations will start on July.

[Amalie]

Welcome to the group Ryan! I hoped you enjoyed "The Brothers K" I think we do have a thread about it in the group somewhere but it is yet to come as a group-reading.

We're just coming up to our next Short Fiction reading The Lady with the Little Dog by Anton Chekhov so join us, and in a few days time you'll be able to nominate books for us to read in August! I hope you'll love it here!

[Zach]

Hello! The Brother's Karamazov has always been my favorite book, and after reading Fathers and Sons by Turgenev and Notes from the Underground by Dostoevsky this year, Russian literature is distinguishing itself as my favorite genre, so I figured this is the perfect group to join!

[Kate]

My favorite part of Anna Karenina is when Levin remembers the men beating the exhausted mare to death when he was ten. I couldn't help but loving him as a character after that scene and knowing how an innocent child so young could find the courage in himself to stand up for the dying horse. I resolved to be a better person.

[dely]

Hello to everybody!
I just entered this group because I love Russian literature. I just finished reading Love Tales by Bunin and yesterday I started The Master and Margarita. I am italian and I live in Italy.
In addition to Russian literature I enjoy reading books about spirituality or religious books.
Hope to find good suggestions for future reading and I will try to be active in the group. As soon as possibile I will give a look to the discussions of your group.

[Amalie]

Oh dear, I had troubles in my browser and couldn't access this thread. Kate,Zach and Dely you are all welcome! We are currently reading Anton Chekhov short masterpiece, "The Lady with the Little Dog" please join us.

Dely, do join us for "The Master and Margarita" we are currently in Book 2 and could use some explainations or new insights and since you have an interest to religious books, I'd really love to see how you interpret it. I've read a bunch several of Ivan Bunin's short stories and yes, I do love him. I'll see you.

P.S. Don't forget to check the August nomination thread guys.

[dely]

Amalie wrote: "Dely, do join us for "The Master and Margarita" we are currently in Book 2 and could use some explainations or new insights and since you have an interest to religious books, I'd really love to see how you interpret it."

I don't know if I can reach you, I am only at the second chapter of book one and in these days I have not a lot of time for reading. I will do my possible! Read slowly :D

[Nina]

Hello! My name is Nina, I'm from Denmark and I am completely new to Russian literature. I've just read Chekhov's "The Lady with the little Dog" and I have Anna Karenina waiting for me at my nightstand, but that is it, so this will be a chance to really discover Russian lit. Amalie promised me that I'll be in for a treat, so I hope that she is right:)

I have been a lurker here for about a month, and this seems like a really friendly group so now I am officially joining you:)

I have a "thing" for the classics, from Jane Austen through the Victorians to Virginia Woolf, and I like books that make me think (i.e. fluffy romances don't appeal to me). I have high hopes that the Russians will suit me!

[Amalie]

Welcome Nina! I'm so glad you finally decided to introduce yourself. If you love classic then Russian is another branch you definately need to explore. That's another reason I decided to step in. I hope you enjoy your experience here.

[Nina]

Thanks, Amalie! I admit I had planned to postpone the Russians to "sometime way into the future" but the enthusiasm in this group is hard to resist:) I think I'll start Anna Karenina later tonight, or tomorrow at the latest

[Amyjzed]

I just wanted to say hello to everyone and express how happy I am that this group seems to have grown so much in the last few months since I've been 'away.'. I thought I would be having more time to keep up with the group reading, but my schedule changed drastically (started taking grad classes again) and so I'm still working on Anna Karenina in short spurts! I will look forward to reading the group discussion threads for Master and Margarita eventually! Anyway, I love seeing all the great personalities and ideas in this group! Happy reading, everyone!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Hello, I'm Elizabeth. No, I'm not Russian, but we do have a not insignificant historical Russian influence here. I'm so glad that Amalie posted over in the Feedback group, else I might not have known about this group. I haven't read much, but would like to discover more, and this seems the perfect opportunity. I read Oblomov relatively recently. I've had Fathers and Sons on my shelf way too long, and I'm planning to get to Dead Souls before the year is out. Though I'm already over-committed on other things, I hope to start with some of the short stories already scheduled and see how things work out. Thanks for being here, holding my hand, leading me astray. ;-)

[Amalie]

Hello Elizabeth and welcome! I'm really glad you decided to join and I hope we'll see you in short story readings. We are currently talking about some extra features. Make sure you share your ideas as well. Check the "Suggestions and Comments From the Group" thread.

"Dead Souls" is set for August I hope you'll be able to join us. Enjoy!

[Damion]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Hello, I'm Elizabeth."

Glad to see another person from Alaska in here. Welcome.

[Sunjay]

Hello,

I'm Sunjay from the USA. I've loved Russian lit since I first read The Brothers Karamazov 8 years ago. Since then I've been able to read quite a few more works, most of which I am happy to see are already on the group's bookshelf. Having studied history in university, namely 19th century European history, my perspective is to try and place many of these works in their historical context, both in Russia and in Europe as a whole. My other great passion is 19th century French literature, and its enriching to try and draw connections between the two.

Personally my partner is Russian. I am sure my love of her country's literature helped in securing her affection ;-)

[dely]

Welcome Sunjay! Am I wrong or your name is Indian?

Have you tried German literature? I am sure you will find also there some connections with Russian literature.

[Sunjay]

dely wrote: "Welcome Sunjay! Am I wrong or your name is Indian?

Have you tried German literature? I am sure you will find also there some connections with Russian literature."

Hi Dely, yes my parents are from India, I was born in the US and lived in India for a while, as well as other places in Europe.

German literature is also an area of interest, especially the Romantics like Heine and Novalis. What are some of your favorites?

[dely]

Sunjay wrote: "German literature is also an area of interest, especially the Romantics like Heine and Novalis. What are some of your favorites?"

I like a lot Goethe (one day I should re-read him) and I have discovered in these past years, thanks to the suggestion of a friend, E.T.A. Hoffmann. Now I am reading a collection of short stories by Bertold Brecht.

[[deleted user]]

Hello! My name is Andrew. I’m Russian, moved to the US in 1995 and all this time lived near Seattle, WA. Until recent years led usual immigrant life: work, work, work; busy, busy, busy. When had a chance tried to read, mostly in English – to learn the language. (Still can’t make myself watch TV regularly to improve speech comprehension – such a torture!). Lately started missing Russian literature immensely (nostalgia?). And it’s so relaxing and such a joy to read in mother tongue after years barricaded behind dictionaries.
When I was younger I liked to read but I can’t say reading was my number one hobby, and I can’t say the Russian classics was my favorite genre…yet I had some favorites there too – War and Peace and Dead Souls among them. Mostly, I preferred non-fiction and science fiction (whenever I could get hold of the latter – not an easy task in the Soviet Union). I also loved translated American authors.
These days I hunt for quality literature…regardless of the genre…maybe a bit more inclined toward literary realism.
I found GoodReads less than a month ago…this blog even later…and behold! – in August it’s Dead Souls on stage! (Incidentally, wouldn’t that be great to really stage Dead Souls, at least parts of it?) Now you guys have no choice but tolerate me…at least for a month…but if seriously, I’m very happy to re-read Dead Souls with friends from all over the world. And it’s time to catch up with my mother tongue literature…

[Sonia]

Hello Andrew. I am European by origin came to the States at age 14 after WW2, but was very nomadic for a long time. Had lots of interactions with Russians, some old aristocrats in exile, later on Russian immigrants, etc. I lived and breathed Russian literature and culture. Now I write about Russian Gypsies. Russia was the one country in Europe that loved her Gypsies, til Khrushchev, who was the first to persecute them on Russian soil during the post Stalin Thaw. Have a look at one of my free chapters, it is on my website. This scene is in Russia's High North. I lived in Finland then.
http://www.soniameyer.com/

[Amalie]

Hello Sunjay, Andrew and Sonia, you're all very welcome! Any light you can shed on these fascinating books, will delight the group and me in particular - I'm always on the lookout for new insights! I look forward to your comments and don't forget to leave your thoughts on our latest additions:
"Play/Poetry reading plans"
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

"Side Reads on Contemporary Books".
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...


Andrew wrote: "Now you guys have no choice but tolerate me…at least for a month…but if seriously, I’m very happy to re-read Dead Souls..."

Great! Please do join us.

[[deleted user]]

Sonia wrote: "Hello Andrew. I am European by origin came to the States at age 14 after WW2, but was very nomadic for a long time. Had lots of interactions with Russians, some old aristocrats in exile, later on R..."

Hello Sonia!
Thank you for the link - I'm looking forward to reading your sample chapters.
I also read your profile - very impressive!..

[Gloria]

Hi all

I just joined the group. I am Russian, although I have been living in the UK since I was 17. I do still have family in Russia and go back there regularly. Having grown up in Russia and gone to school there, I have, obviously, read quite a lot of pretty heavy Russian literature at a very young age and have always meant to re-read a few of the classics and to generally expand a bit more outside the Russian lit school curriculum, so perhaps this group will encourage me to do that.

[Daniel]

Hi All,

My name is Daniel and I live in Sydney, Australia. I'm currently reading my first Dostoevsky novel, The Idiot and must say I'm very impressed so far. I plan on reading Notes From The Underground next and would love to read some Tolstoy and Pushkin at some point in the future.

[Amalie]

Welcome aboard, Gloria and Daniel! I'm glad you joined and decided to introduce yourselves - We just started Dead Souls and currently reading Mumu under short fiction and will start The Death of Ivan IlychThe Death of Ivan Ilych this Sunday. I'll soon open the polls on Play and Contemporary Reads. Have a wonderful time and jump right into any discussions that take your fancy!

[Gloria]

Aglaya, can I just say that I love you name!

[Christian]

Greetings everyone,

Excellent group you have going here. I'm constantly exploring Russian lit and discovering new enjoyments. I might chime in from time to time on discussions or group reads but tend to be all over the place with my reading. My interest in Russian lit began with The Possessed or Demons by Dostoevsky, which was mentioned in Camus's Myth of Sisyphus - another fav of mine. Dostoevsky seemed to always come up in my other reading so that was my initial passion. Since then I have explored Pushkin, Tolstoy, Lermontov, and Nabokov. I look forward to reading Bulgakov, Gogol, Turgenev, Chekhov, and Solzhenitsyn. Till then, Au Revoir my friends.
-Muldune-

[Sonia]

Dear Quirkyreader,
I was surrounded by Russians at some point, once living in Finland in the 60's, and later all over Europe, The Alps, the Cote d'Azure, where the old exiled aristocrats hung out. I have also read all the Russian classics. In the olden days the system was very unfair, but the Russian soul blossomed. Now I see wealthy Russians in Florida in the Winter, saw them on the Cote d'Azure just a few years back, looking at them, they seem well fed, I can't detect much soul, but then I haven't really talked to them. They seem like strangers. But I am eager to find the new Russian writers, and see where the to me beloved Russian heart is really ticking.

[Amalie]

Hello Aglaya, Christian and 'Quirkyreader'! I'm glad you decided to join our group. Please join us in any reading sections. Starting next months we'll have 4 altogether. I hope you'll love it here!

P.S. I do want to thank everyone who makes the new members feel welcome here :)