Books - What are you reading?

[DUMBO100]

I've been reading an eclectic selection recently. Soldier Spy, then The Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens and most recently all three of The Hunger Games Books, which were much better than I expected

[Goaty Bill 2]

g3org3y said:

I've never read Dostoevsky. It's certainly a commitment. Worth me giving it a go? Which is considered the best translation?

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.

Firstly, apologies for the slow reply. I had it all typed out and suffered a browser crash that Firefox did not recover from - i.e. I lost the text of my reply.

I found this on The Brothers Karamazov.
As it has fairly detailed notes on the various translators, I thought I'd mention it for the benefit of our resident Russian lit. expert.
In all seriousness SilverSixer, it's a real pleasure having someone with some 'official' study under their belt to speak to.
I have a tendency to look for first editions or reprints of first editions, ideally in hardback and lucked out in finding a reprint of the first edition translation in hardback, and in excellent condition.


'Cancer Ward' and 'The First Circle' are the other two best known translated novels of Solzhenitsyn as I understand it. ' The Red Wheel' sounds very interesting as well.
'One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich', is based upon a combination of his own experiences and those of others, either as told to him, or from correspondences from which he creates the Ivan Denisovich character, and was I believe his first published work. Despite previous attempts by escapees to the west this seems to be the first widely accepted exposé of the Stalinist Soviet era by a Russian, outside of academic and diplomatic circles.
'Island Hell' by S.A.Malsagov, 'The Escape From the Soviets' by Tatiana Tchernavin, and 'I speak for the Silent' by Vladimir Tchernavin (wife and husband) preceded him. Unfortunately, all of these were published pre WW2, and seem to have been 'buried' or ignored owing to a fascination with Russia and the communist 'experiment' and eventually the alliance during the war.
Of course writers and social commentators such as Bertrand Russell and Orwell (hence 'Animal Farm' and '1984') were not so easily dissuaded in spite of their strong socialist sympathies.


'The Gulag Archipelago' is a three volume (totalling around 1800 pages) history of the gulags from the earliest days of communism through his arrest to his release and exile, again through his own experiences, collected narratives while in the camps, official records, other authors, and from correspondences. I detailed the volumes and their lengths etc in a post (this thread) a few weeks ago, which is well worth reading before attempting to purchase these as the unabridged work is out of print, and is currently much in demand in north America. I personally don't consider the 700 page single volume abridged version worth purchasing unless out of desperation.
It is not a novel, not by any means a strictly chronological history, and not an academic work, more a collection of highly detailed anecdotes grouped as he felt best with his views and opinions amongst the telling. The story surrounding it's very existence is fascinating in it's own right.

[g3org3y]

GB2 and SS, any opinions on the 'best' translation?

Both Carnett and Pevear & Volokhonsky are suggested.

[jimmyjimjim]

Having finished Star Carrier #7, I was delighted to find an electronic copy of The Horse Lord, by Peter Morwood, a book I first read a quarter of a century and a continent away. I've still got a paper copy, along with the rest of the series, but I was particularly delighted to find that the author had revised and rewritten large portions of it, making it virtually a new book - I'm eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series being revisited.

[Goaty Bill 2]

jimmyjimjim said:

Having finished Star Carrier #7, I was delighted to find an electronic copy of The Horse Lord, by Peter Morwood, a book I first read a quarter of a century and a continent away. I've still got a paper copy, along with the rest of the series, but I was particularly delighted to find that the author had revised and rewritten large portions of it, making it virtually a new book - I'm eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series being revisited.

Peter Morwood - A blast from the past.
Very enjoyable series originally. Some loose connections with Russia and mongolia, though perhaps more with the landscape/setting and culture, broadly speaking, rather than historical as I recall.

[SilverSixer]

g3org3y said:

GB2 and SS, any opinions on the 'best' translation?

Both Carnett and Pevear & Volokhonsky are suggested.

Oof, this is a difficult question for me. As I can read in the original language, I don't really need to bother with the translated versions. Not trying to be a smart arse, it's just the way it is.

But my advice would be this: see if you can read the first few pages of a few different translations online before committing to purchase. Pick the one whose cadence seems best suited to your tastes. Also, look for one which has a comprehensive glossary, and some translator's notes in the body of the text if possible. It really is a tricky language to translate from sometimes, so colloquialism and terminology can be challenging to say the least, difficult to get across to someone without a knowledge of the language and culture. Explanatory notes as you go through the book might be a great help.

As with many things it will be a case of "each to his own", so shop around a bit. It's worth investing the effort for such weighty tomes as Dostoevsky.

Of course, my real advice would be to save yourself the pain of reading the stuff, but that wouldn't be very helpful, would it? ;-)

[jimmyjimjim]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

jimmyjimjim said:

Having finished Star Carrier #7, I was delighted to find an electronic copy of The Horse Lord, by Peter Morwood, a book I first read a quarter of a century and a continent away. I've still got a paper copy, along with the rest of the series, but I was particularly delighted to find that the author had revised and rewritten large portions of it, making it virtually a new book - I'm eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series being revisited.

Peter Morwood - A blast from the past.
Very enjoyable series originally. Some loose connections with Russia and mongolia, though perhaps more with the landscape/setting and culture, broadly speaking, rather than historical as I recall.

Exactly - hence my delight at finding it had been re-written!

I checked the publisher afterwards; the horse lord appears to be the only one republished in that series so far (I signed up for updates), but the three of his old Russia series have been re-published. I never read them, might need to pick them up, now.

[Europa1]

droopsnoot said:

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.

That says a lot both about his more modern stuff and this new series!

[ribiero]

I'm reading Whoops! by John Lancaster that was recommended here probably a million pages back. It's a good read, the chapter called "The Bill" that was written in 2009 has pretty much predicted the last few years of government policy!!!

[Goaty Bill 2]

SilverSixer said:

g3org3y said:

GB2 and SS, any opinions on the 'best' translation?

Both Carnett and Pevear & Volokhonsky are suggested.

Oof, this is a difficult question for me. As I can read in the original language, I don't really need to bother with the translated versions. Not trying to be a smart arse, it's just the way it is.

You're still a smart arse

SilverSixer said:

But my advice would be this: see if you can read the first few pages of a few different translations online before committing to purchase. Pick the one whose cadence seems best suited to your tastes. Also, look for one which has a comprehensive glossary, and some translator's notes in the body of the text if possible. It really is a tricky language to translate from sometimes, so colloquialism and terminology can be challenging to say the least, difficult to get across to someone without a knowledge of the language and culture. Explanatory notes as you go through the book might be a great help.

As with many things it will be a case of "each to his own", so shop around a bit. It's worth investing the effort for such weighty tomes as Dostoevsky.

Of course, my real advice would be to save yourself the pain of reading the stuff, but that wouldn't be very helpful, would it? ;-)

Sensible advice.

I will counter that last line with; One does not read the legends of the Greek gods and their human interactions simply because they are fascinating stories, or beautifully written. Rather because it gives context to Shakespeare and Milton and many others.
Plato's dialogues are stimulating, but much of 'The Republic' is seemingly a half crazed pre-Marxism, but IMO mirrored in Huxley's 'Brave New World'.
Weirdly, Plato also improved my comprehension of object oriented design theory
'Forms' and 'abstracts'.

[g3org3y]

Thanks for the advice/input SS and GB2.

Unfortunately my Russian is far too basic (only up to GCSE level) to consider the original text!

Seemingly...
via Imgflip Meme Generator

[SilverSixer]

g3org3y said:

Thanks for the advice/input SS and GB2.

Unfortunately my Russian is far too basic (only up to GCSE level) to consider the original text!

Seemingly...
via Imgflip Meme Generator

I think your meme there adequately describes my feelings on the subject..........because one can't simply "read" Dostoevsky is what puts me off in part. Although I did a degree in Russian Studies including literature, I have to confess the lit part was the least interesting/satisfying to me. Language, culture, history - those were the aspects most interesting to me.

I only enjoy reading when, well, I enjoy the book. Without wanting to sound shallow reading is a leisure activity for me these days, if it's too deep and meaningful and "leading" as GB2 so succinctly put it, it puts me off. This is why I prefer Bulgakov and Lermontov - there is entertainment as well as import to the works. Also applies to Tolstoy and Gogol to some degree in some works. Dostoevsky and Turgenev, well, they're just like trying to swim in treacle to me.

That's just me though, GB2 obviously loves it, I hope you enjoy it too.

[p1doc]

jimmyjimjim said:

Finished my re-read of the Dresden Files; all 15 done.
Read the 2nd book in the Bobiverse, then noticed that Stephen Hunter had put out another Bob Lee Swagger book, so polished that off last night, and am now 1/3 way the 7th Ian Douglas Star Carrier novel.

just starting book 10-really starting to get going now-love nicodemus as villain

[g3org3y]

SilverSixer said:

I think your meme there adequately describes my feelings on the subject..........because one can't simply "read" Dostoevsky is what puts me off in part. Although I did a degree in Russian Studies including literature, I have to confess the lit part was the least interesting/satisfying to me. Language, culture, history - those were the aspects most interesting to me.

I only enjoy reading when, well, I enjoy the book. Without wanting to sound shallow reading is a leisure activity for me these days, if it's too deep and meaningful and "leading" as GB2 so succinctly put it, it puts me off. This is why I prefer Bulgakov and Lermontov - there is entertainment as well as import to the works. Also applies to Tolstoy and Gogol to some degree in some works. Dostoevsky and Turgenev, well, they're just like trying to swim in treacle to me.

That's just me though, GB2 obviously loves it, I hope you enjoy it too.

I know what you mean, I read for pleasure rather than out of duty to 'tick off' the classics. I've read enough to know what I like and what I don't.

I read Proust's Swann's Way [In Search of Lost Time Vol 1] a few years back. Didn't get on with it at all tbh. I know it's highly regarded in literary circles but I found it rather boring and not rewarding in the slightest. Unsurprisingly, I did not return for the other volumes.

[towser]

A few recent books :

The Blade Artist : Irvine Welsh - last Welsh book I read was Maribou Stork Nightmares, probably about 25-30 years ago!! The recent kerfuffle around T2 prompted me to read one of his more recent books. This just doesn't have the impact or, I suppose, "freshness" that the likes of Trainspotting and Acid House had ( having said that it was a different me reading those books back in the early 90s ). Begbie has always been a parody of a frustrated, angry man and the Blade Artist does nothing with his character other than show that despite having it all - he's still a psycho after all these years. 2/5.

The Nix : Nathan Hill - rambling tale of a boy / adult who's mother leaves him as a teenager and their eventual reconciliation. Told from each others perspective with a few incidental characters thrown in for good measure. As dull as it sounds. 2/5

Dark Matter : Blake Crouch - interesting sci-fi story about a man's journey to find his family across a series of parallel universes. Nicely structured and told, although it did plod along a bit in the middle section I thought and could have been a bit more focused. A few ladles of cheesy romance added in for good measure but enjoyable enough. 3/5.

[dave0010]

Just finished American Kingpin by Nick Bilton. A book all about "The silk road" website that was created on the dark web. A very easy to read and follow book and interesting to learn about a side of the internet that I had no idea about.

[epom]

This one comes highly recommended. Looking forward to it landing today.

[brrapp]

brrapp said:

Just finished Philipp Meyer's 'The Son'.
I quite enjoyed it , a bit like Cormac Mccarthy crossed with James A Michener. A multigenerational look at American history through one family's story. Better than Annie Proux's 'Barkskins', an attempt to do the same thing last year.
I'll be moving onto his previous novel 'American Rust' next, hope it compares.

Just found out that there's a TV dramatisation of this showing on BTTV at the moment. I'll have to watch it (because I liked the book so much) and I'll probably hate it (because I liked the book so much.

[jimmyjimjim]

p1doc said:

jimmyjimjim said:

Finished my re-read of the Dresden Files; all 15 done.
Read the 2nd book in the Bobiverse, then noticed that Stephen Hunter had put out another Bob Lee Swagger book, so polished that off last night, and am now 1/3 way the 7th Ian Douglas Star Carrier novel.

just starting book 10-really starting to get going now-love nicodemus as villain

It's good stuff. Wish he'd hurry up!

Finished the Star Carrier series, re-reading the Jack Campbell Lost fleet series now.

[p1doc]

up to ghost story now but as back up just read rivers of London a pc grant story-very good