Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
Hugo a Gogo said:
I might give that a go. Have you read Proulx's 'Postcards'? I love it
Yes, I've read most of her stuff, That Old Ace in the Hole, Brokeback Mountain, Postcards and most recently, Barkskins. All of them were good, but none as good as the first one I read, Shipping News which I loved.
I've recently started on Bernard Cornwall's book Vagabond. Those of you who liked the old Sharpe tv series or the newer Last Kingdom would really like it as both are based on Cornwall's work.
The books about an English longbowman in the 100 years war and is filled with brutal battles, barmy officers and beautiful women. A good read for anyone. Vagabond is actually the second novel in a series, the first of which is titled Harlequin. I can't recommend them enough
The books about an English longbowman in the 100 years war and is filled with brutal battles, barmy officers and beautiful women. A good read for anyone. Vagabond is actually the second novel in a series, the first of which is titled Harlequin. I can't recommend them enough
'Devils' by Dostoevsky
Just finished - Wordsworth edition.
With around fifty meaningful characters, of which about ten are core to the story, the wide use of patronymics can seem a bit confusing a times.
Having previously read 'Crime and Punishment', I wasn't entirely certain what to expect, but Dostoevsky again explores the darkness of the human soul and the motivations and emotions of people in deeply stressful circumstances, real or imagined and often self-inflicted.
A study of a group of nihilistic and ideologically driven 'young' people of Russia, Dostoevsky accurately foreshadows the coming of a merciless Lenin-like character spreading disruption and distrust through, in this case local, society.
The good the bad and the ugly are all present and play their parts well.
A gripping tail, and recommended read for anyone who enjoys classics / Russian literature.
There is valuable insight into the lives and attitudes of the people of the day, as it is set in Dostoevsky's own time.
Just finished - Wordsworth edition.
With around fifty meaningful characters, of which about ten are core to the story, the wide use of patronymics can seem a bit confusing a times.
Having previously read 'Crime and Punishment', I wasn't entirely certain what to expect, but Dostoevsky again explores the darkness of the human soul and the motivations and emotions of people in deeply stressful circumstances, real or imagined and often self-inflicted.
A study of a group of nihilistic and ideologically driven 'young' people of Russia, Dostoevsky accurately foreshadows the coming of a merciless Lenin-like character spreading disruption and distrust through, in this case local, society.
The good the bad and the ugly are all present and play their parts well.
A gripping tail, and recommended read for anyone who enjoys classics / Russian literature.
There is valuable insight into the lives and attitudes of the people of the day, as it is set in Dostoevsky's own time.
Goaty Bill 2 said:
'Devils' by Dostoevsky
Just finished - Wordsworth edition.
With around fifty meaningful characters, of which about ten are core to the story, the wide use of patronymics can seem a bit confusing a times.
Having previously read 'Crime and Punishment', I wasn't entirely certain what to expect, but Dostoevsky again explores the darkness of the human soul and the motivations and emotions of people in deeply stressful circumstances, real or imagined and often self-inflicted.
A study of a group of nihilistic and ideologically driven 'young' people of Russia, Dostoevsky accurately foreshadows the coming of a merciless Lenin-like character spreading disruption and distrust through, in this case local, society.
The good the bad and the ugly are all present and play their parts well.
A gripping tail, and recommended read for anyone who enjoys classics / Russian literature.
There is valuable insight into the lives and attitudes of the people of the day, as it is set in Dostoevsky's own time.
Glad you enjoyed it but Dostoevsky isn't for me. As a fellow student put it in a Russian Lit lecture at university when asked to summarise Crime and Punishment for the class: "It was a crime to have written it, and it's a fJust finished - Wordsworth edition.
With around fifty meaningful characters, of which about ten are core to the story, the wide use of patronymics can seem a bit confusing a times.
Having previously read 'Crime and Punishment', I wasn't entirely certain what to expect, but Dostoevsky again explores the darkness of the human soul and the motivations and emotions of people in deeply stressful circumstances, real or imagined and often self-inflicted.
A study of a group of nihilistic and ideologically driven 'young' people of Russia, Dostoevsky accurately foreshadows the coming of a merciless Lenin-like character spreading disruption and distrust through, in this case local, society.
The good the bad and the ugly are all present and play their parts well.
A gripping tail, and recommended read for anyone who enjoys classics / Russian literature.
There is valuable insight into the lives and attitudes of the people of the day, as it is set in Dostoevsky's own time.
king punishment to have to read it".I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
Edited by SilverSixer on Wednesday 17th May 11:40
I've just finished "Predator" by Wilbur Smith, which was actually pretty good compared to some of his more modern stuff. While I originally thought it was a standalone book, it turns out that not only is it the second book about its main character, but I have also read the first one and forgotten it.
Next, the new Stuart MacBride.
Next, the new Stuart MacBride.
SilverSixer said:
Glad you enjoyed it but Dostoevsky isn't for me. As a fellow student put it in a Russian Lit lecture at university when asked to summarise Crime and Punishment for the class: "It was a crime to have written it, and it's a fking punishment to have to read it".
I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
The Brothers Karamazov Volume I & II are on their way as I type...king punishment to have to read it".I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
No one surely could say they enjoyed Crime and Punishment
I felt positively suicidal by the end, Having 'watched' the character Rodion Raskolnikov rush headlong through one desperate, disastrous choice after another to the inevitable conclusion.
I am quite attached to the 'hard life and tragedy' genre.
A quick glance through the plot structure on wikipedia would indicate that 'Hero of our Time' may well fit the bill?
That said, I am very keen to read more Solzhenitsyn; 'A Day in the Life..' and 'Cancer Ward' especially.
I can't help feeling that 'The Gulag Archipelago' was probably one of the most important (series of) books I have read.
On a separate note;
I located my dream purchase today; The Works of Plato; Fifty-five Dialogues, and twelve Epistles, published 1804.
Unfortunately at £5400 it is most likely to remain nothing more than a dream.
Goaty Bill 2 said:
SilverSixer said:
Glad you enjoyed it but Dostoevsky isn't for me. As a fellow student put it in a Russian Lit lecture at university when asked to summarise Crime and Punishment for the class: "It was a crime to have written it, and it's a fking punishment to have to read it".
I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
The Brothers Karamazov Volume I & II are on their way as I type...king punishment to have to read it".I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
No one surely could say they enjoyed Crime and Punishment
I felt positively suicidal by the end, Having 'watched' the character Rodion Raskolnikov rush headlong through one desperate, disastrous choice after another to the inevitable conclusion.
I am quite attached to the 'hard life and tragedy' genre.
A quick glance through the plot structure on wikipedia would indicate that 'Hero of our Time' may well fit the bill?
That said, I am very keen to read more Solzhenitsyn; 'A Day in the Life..' and 'Cancer Ward' especially.
I can't help feeling that 'The Gulag Archipelago' was probably one of the most important (series of) books I have read.
On a separate note;
I located my dream purchase today; The Works of Plato; Fifty-five Dialogues, and twelve Epistles, published 1804.
Unfortunately at £5400 it is most likely to remain nothing more than a dream.
I've done those three Solzhenitsyn's you list, although mainly depressing they're depressing for reasons of utterly brutal reality rather than Dostoevsky's philosophical flights of fancy.
Don't often get to talk about Russian Lit these days, so thanks for sharing your thoughts. And I've just realised I said 'Fathers and Sons' was a Dostoevsky work when of course it was Turgenev. I'm going doolally. Still didn't like it though.
Another recommendation for you - Gogol's "The Overcoat". And I think I've mentioned Bulgakov's "Heart of a Dog" before, but also his "Master and Margarita" is worth looking out for.
SilverSixer said:
Glad you enjoyed it but Dostoevsky isn't for me. As a fellow student put it in a Russian Lit lecture at university when asked to summarise Crime and Punishment for the class: "It was a crime to have written it, and it's a fking punishment to have to read it".
I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
Bulgakov for me.king punishment to have to read it".I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
At the moment I'm back on to some Vonnegut, with 'Galapagos'.
g3org3y said:
SilverSixer said:
Glad you enjoyed it but Dostoevsky isn't for me. As a fellow student put it in a Russian Lit lecture at university when asked to summarise Crime and Punishment for the class: "It was a crime to have written it, and it's a fking punishment to have to read it".
I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
Bulgakov for me.king punishment to have to read it".I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
At the moment I'm back on to some Vonnegut, with 'Galapagos'.
SilverSixer said:
g3org3y said:
SilverSixer said:
Glad you enjoyed it but Dostoevsky isn't for me. As a fellow student put it in a Russian Lit lecture at university when asked to summarise Crime and Punishment for the class: "It was a crime to have written it, and it's a fking punishment to have to read it".
I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
Bulgakov for me.king punishment to have to read it".I also hated The Brothers Karamazov, and Fathers and Sons. I've done my time.
Lermontov is more my bag when it comes to the Russians - have you tried "Hero of Our Time"? That's a good 'un.
At the moment I'm back on to some Vonnegut, with 'Galapagos'.
I also very much enjoyed the 'Heart of a Dog'. My favourite however is 'A Country Doctor's Notebook'. A work of non fiction that I found remarkably interesting and as a doctor myself, it was easy to relate to.
SilverSixer said:
Yes, you're right, Hero of Our Time is a similar genre, but I find Lermontov's style and storytelling more to my taste. Dostoevsky is just sodding depressing, and I don't think anyone could "take to" Raskolnikov. In contrast Lermontov's Pechorin is quite a likeable, sympathetic character, in comparison to Raskolnikov anyway. I find Dostoevsky too transparently "try hard", his books are thinly disguised philosophy plays through and through, it's all a bit like being lectured.
I've done those three Solzhenitsyn's you list, although mainly depressing they're depressing for reasons of utterly brutal reality rather than Dostoevsky's philosophical flights of fancy.
Don't often get to talk about Russian Lit these days, so thanks for sharing your thoughts. And I've just realised I said 'Fathers and Sons' was a Dostoevsky work when of course it was Turgenev. I'm going doolally. Still didn't like it though.
Another recommendation for you - Gogol's "The Overcoat". And I think I've mentioned Bulgakov's "Heart of a Dog" before, but also his "Master and Margarita" is worth looking out for.
I will put them on my list 'to be looked into'.I've done those three Solzhenitsyn's you list, although mainly depressing they're depressing for reasons of utterly brutal reality rather than Dostoevsky's philosophical flights of fancy.
Don't often get to talk about Russian Lit these days, so thanks for sharing your thoughts. And I've just realised I said 'Fathers and Sons' was a Dostoevsky work when of course it was Turgenev. I'm going doolally. Still didn't like it though.
Another recommendation for you - Gogol's "The Overcoat". And I think I've mentioned Bulgakov's "Heart of a Dog" before, but also his "Master and Margarita" is worth looking out for.
I don't mind following Dostoevsky's lead so much. I consider the historical and philosophical to be the aspects of greater importance and interest for me.
I had a somewhat unsophisticated literary 'education'. Rather than revelling in the beauty of Shakespeare our teacher apologised for 'forcing' us to read and watch Macbeth, and was very excited that we should read Farley Mowat. No disrespect to Mr. Mowat, he was great fun and a good story teller, but he was no replacement for Plato or Shakespeare (nor do I think he ever imagined himself to be such).
Solzhenitsyn for me was not depressing. I felt a furious rage, page after page, day after day, growing and not diminishing.
I laughed a few times as well it needs be said; his subtle irony at times was inspired.
It requires some intellectual subtlety to appreciate the number and depth of the crimes committed against the Russian people by the Bolsheviks and Stalin, when you must also try to appreciate the modern Russian perspective that some form of good has come from it for Russia as a country.
'The Brothers Karamazov' (original Garnett translation) arrived today, in two hardback volumes.
Another 840 page Russian epic...
Goaty Bill 2 said:
I will put them on my list 'to be looked into'.
I don't mind following Dostoevsky's lead so much. I consider the historical and philosophical to be the aspects of greater importance and interest for me.
I had a somewhat unsophisticated literary 'education'. Rather than revelling in the beauty of Shakespeare our teacher apologised for 'forcing' us to read and watch Macbeth, and was very excited that we should read Farley Mowat. No disrespect to Mr. Mowat, he was great fun and a good story teller, but he was no replacement for Plato or Shakespeare (nor do I think he ever imagined himself to be such).
Solzhenitsyn for me was not depressing. I felt a furious rage, page after page, day after day, growing and not diminishing.
I laughed a few times as well it needs be said; his subtle irony at times was inspired.
It requires some intellectual subtlety to appreciate the number and depth of the crimes committed against the Russian people by the Bolsheviks and Stalin, when you must also try to appreciate the modern Russian perspective that some form of good has come from it for Russia as a country.
'The Brothers Karamazov' (original Garnett translation) arrived today, in two hardback volumes.
Another 840 page Russian epic...
I've never read Dostoevsky. It's certainly a commitment. Worth me giving it a go? Which is considered the best translation?I don't mind following Dostoevsky's lead so much. I consider the historical and philosophical to be the aspects of greater importance and interest for me.
I had a somewhat unsophisticated literary 'education'. Rather than revelling in the beauty of Shakespeare our teacher apologised for 'forcing' us to read and watch Macbeth, and was very excited that we should read Farley Mowat. No disrespect to Mr. Mowat, he was great fun and a good story teller, but he was no replacement for Plato or Shakespeare (nor do I think he ever imagined himself to be such).
Solzhenitsyn for me was not depressing. I felt a furious rage, page after page, day after day, growing and not diminishing.
I laughed a few times as well it needs be said; his subtle irony at times was inspired.
It requires some intellectual subtlety to appreciate the number and depth of the crimes committed against the Russian people by the Bolsheviks and Stalin, when you must also try to appreciate the modern Russian perspective that some form of good has come from it for Russia as a country.
'The Brothers Karamazov' (original Garnett translation) arrived today, in two hardback volumes.
Another 840 page Russian epic...
I've read Solzhenitsyn's 'One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich'. Agree with the subtle ironic/dry wit. Based on that, I'd certainly consider reading more of his work.
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