And my Russian literature campaign has begun. Or rather, is about to begin. I'm asking for a vote here - which of the following should I tackle first?
1. Crime and Punishment - Dostoevsky
2. The Brothers Karamazov - Dostoevsky
3. Anna Karenina - Tolstoy
4. War and Peace - Tolstoy
5. Dead Souls - Gogol
6. Eugene Onegin, et al - Pushkin
7. A play (or two) by Chekhov
8. A short story (or more) by Gorky
9. Doktor Zhivago - Pasternak
10 A story by Leskov
11 Something else... (please specify)
Note: I have read Nabokov's Lolita already and have in the past started, but not finished, Anna Karenina (meaning I own it). Others I will have to purchase or get from the library, but this shouldn't be an obstacle. Used books are cheap and the library is even cheaper!
You could even provide me with a reading order if you're something of a veteran to Russian Lit. Thanks in advance!
Also, anyone who wants to read along with me - like a book group - is more than welcome to, of course. I don't expect I'll get any takers, though. :)
Bonus interactive content: Please let me know what you're currently reading as well, if you would like (fiction or nonfiction, I consume both)! I'm always curious as to what people are reading, as it often gives me new authors/titles to check out in the future. I really would appreciate this!
Nonfiction-wise, I am reading Michael Baigent's latest book, Racing Toward Armageddon, and in fact am almost finished. Next up is Paul Davies' The Goldilocks Enigma. And after that, who knows... :)
15 comments:
What the?
Fraid I don't know any of them.
I mean well enough to comment.
You didn't hear about this, Hans?
I can't read yet, only chewed on the edges of books. I don't know what a russian is, but I like to play fetch.
Russian means "flowing very fast"
Good one. Funny!
War and peace first? Or Anna Karenina! To get a picture of the age, I would say. That if big volumes don't scare you ;-)
Thanks G. Nothing scares me! I'll decide in the next couple days, but it will almost certainly be one of those two. Might as well jump right in eh?
I have read Fathers and sons by Dostoievsky, it was not bad, though I was only 15 or 16. :)
If there is no fixed genres here, I also suggest you to read: the tales of Pushkin, any Chekhov (dramas f.e.), and the Watch tetralogy by Sergei Lukyanenko (I only saw the movies from the first twoo, Night Watch and Day watch, by my friends who read the books told me they are great). He is not (yet) a veteran, but the stories are really great. :)
Thanks Mandula!
I've only seen the movies of that "Watch" series. I'm thinking more of 'classical' literature though, so I will take into consideration your suggestions about Pushkin and Chekhov.
:)
Hi! I am a friend of Giusi's (Italian living in Sweden too :-) ) and I have found your blog on her facebook wall :-)
I loved Anna Karenina but if you want to start reading Russian literature in a lighter way you could read something shorter!
My tips are:
Fathers and sons by Turgenev
White Nights by Dostoyevsky
and my personal favourite The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov.
Enjoy! :-D
VERY cool! Thank you Annachiara, that is good advice. I don't mind long books but you're right, sometimes it's easier to get into it slowly and more lightly....
I will check these ones out for sure!
How many Italians are there living Sweden now?!? All of them?? Lol.
Thanks again. xx
Brilliant, Annachiara! This is why I love the internet!
Hey, Metamatician... what about you still up at this (your) time of the morning??? I can't believe you are ALREADY up, since I talked to you a few hours ago... Go to bed now! ;-)
Yes, Ma'am!
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