Russian authors

[Idril]

Which translation did you read? I know it is a minor difference, but it is a difference. The first time I read Karamazov it was the Constance Garnett translation. The second time I read the Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky dual translation. I did enjoy the Peaver/Volokhonsky alot more. They seemed to ponder over how to preserve the "Russian" flavor in the english text more than Garnett.

It was the Garnett version but I really don't think the translation was the issue. There are aspects to the novel that I loved, I still think Ivan is one of the most fascinating characters in all of literature but I was largely unmoved by Alyosha and he was so heavily featured that I had a hard time maintaining interest, I find the character incredibly dull. I know there are people who find that statement blasphemous but that's just my own humble opinion and I'm sticking to it. I don't think the translation is going to change that. That said, I am in the process of replacing all my Russian lit with the Pevear/Volkhonsky translations where they are available and I will replace Brothers Karamazov as well.

For example, compare Tolstoy's The Cossacks to Gogol's Taras Bulba. Tolstoy's is so accurate, almost to the point of being sterile. You can learn alot about the iconic Cossack from Tolstoy, despite emotional distance.

However, Gogol wrote in Taras Bulba how the Cossacks would make a raid, bury the treasure by the river, and wake up after the party forgetting where their treasure was, or that they even had one.
To me, this tells us more about the Cossack spirit in just a few words than Tolstoy does in his whole novella.

Oh, I love Taras Bulba, it is, without a moment's hesitation, my favorite Gogol short story. It's where I fell in love with the Cossacks, not necessarily their way of life, that's not it, I don't always love what they do but they are such a fascinating culture, they are never boring and they are never black and white, they are a provocative shade of grey. Sholokhov's And Quiet Flows the Don cemented that interest. But back to the point you made, I absolutely agree. I was anxious to read Tolstoy's Cossacks but I was largely disappointed, there was none of that spirit, as you said. Sterile, that was a good word for it.

And djameson, you're right, move on, no novel is for everyone. Enjoy the Tolstoy you love, don't challenge it by reading something that doesn't work for you simply because it's by an author you love, if that makes any sense.

Any fans of Kharms? I always found his work to be delightfully original and pretty relatable if you're an author.

I don't know wno that is? Who is he? I'm always looking for new Russian authors to read.

[The Truth]

Kharms is a Russian absurdist who writes, naturally absurd pieces and that is absurd in every sense of the word.

This site has many of his works: http://www.sevaj.dk/kharms/kharmseng.htm

And here's a review of my favorite book of his stuff: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/bo...pagewanted=all

He pretty much created microfiction and many of his stories are surreal to the extreme and most oftentimes seem to lack a point unless you read deeper. Really great work.

[Raven Falcon.]

It was the Garnett version but I really don't think the translation was the issue. There are aspects to the novel that I loved, I still think Ivan is one of the most fascinating characters in all of literature but I was largely unmoved by Alyosha and he was so heavily featured that I had a hard time maintaining interest, I find the character incredibly dull. I know there are people who find that statement blasphemous but that's just my own humble opinion and I'm sticking to it. I don't think the translation is going to change that. That said, I am in the process of replacing all my Russian lit with the Pevear/Volkhonsky translations where they are available and I will replace Brothers Karamazov as well.



Oh, I love Taras Bulba, it is, without a moment's hesitation, my favorite Gogol short story. It's where I fell in love with the Cossacks, not necessarily their way of life, that's not it, I don't always love what they do but they are such a fascinating culture, they are never boring and they are never black and white, they are a provocative shade of grey. Sholokhov's And Quiet Flows the Don cemented that interest. But back to the point you made, I absolutely agree. I was anxious to read Tolstoy's Cossacks but I was largely disappointed, there was none of that spirit, as you said. Sterile, that was a good word for it.

And djameson, you're right, move on, no novel is for everyone. Enjoy the Tolstoy you love, don't challenge it by reading something that doesn't work for you simply because it's by an author you love, if that makes any sense.



I don't know wno that is? Who is he? I'm always looking for new Russian authors to read.

Tolstoy is ultimately and historically better than Gogol, though.

[Idril]

Tolstoy is ultimately and historically better than Gogol, though.

I don't think I said he wasn't.

And thank you, The Truth, I will check him out.

[bIGwIRE]

There are aspects to the novel that I loved, I still think Ivan is one of the most fascinating characters in all of literature but I was largely unmoved by Alyosha and he was so heavily featured that I had a hard time maintaining interest, I find the character incredibly dull. I know there are people who find that statement blasphemous but that's just my own humble opinion and I'm sticking to it. I don't think the translation is going to change that.

Russian monks aren't for everyone. It really depends what you look for in a novel. I have a friend who only enjoys adventure stories, Dumas, Hemmingway, or Touching the Void type non-fiction.
Much of my off time is spent in wild places, hunting wild things or wild adventures, so I personally gravitate toward the psychological elements, viewing my own mind as the great frontier. I've never read a character like Alyosha, though not my favorite, I found him interesting.
Writers share what they know and understand, readers explore what is unknown to them.

Oh, I love Taras Bulba, it is, without a moment's hesitation, my favorite Gogol short story. It's where I fell in love with the Cossacks, not necessarily their way of life, that's not it, I don't always love what they do but they are such a fascinating culture, they are never boring and they are never black and white, they are a provocative shade of grey. Sholokhov's And Quiet Flows the Don cemented that interest. But back to the point you made, I absolutely agree. I was anxious to read Tolstoy's Cossacks but I was largely disappointed, there was none of that spirit, as you said. Sterile, that was a good word for it.

I also loved Sholokhov and have always enjoyed all things Cossack. The end of serfdom in Russia was a fascinating part of history. Cossacks to the Russian are like cowboys to us Americans. Despite the harships they endured, and the constant fight for life, I can't help but to envy them. Something about how they shrug off all authority, with reckless abandon and wild rebellion, echoes in the voids of my own wicked soul.

[Raven Falcon.]

Russian monks aren't for everyone. It really depends what you look for in a novel. I have a friend who only enjoys adventure stories, Dumas, Hemmingway, or Touching the Void type non-fiction.
Much of my off time is spent in wild places, hunting wild things or wild adventures, so I personally gravitate toward the psychological elements, viewing my own mind as the great frontier. I've never read a character like Alyosha, though not my favorite, I found him interesting.
Writers share what they know and understand, readers explore what is unknown to them.



I also loved Sholokhov and have always enjoyed all things Cossack. The end of serfdom in Russia was a fascinating part of history. Cossacks to the Russian are like cowboys to us Americans. Despite the harships they endured, and the constant fight for life, I can't help but to envy them. Something about how they shrug off all authority, with reckless abandon and wild rebellion, echoes in the voids of my own wicked soul.

You should read Master and Man -a short but grimly fantastic work nonetheless.

[bIGwIRE]

You should read Master and Man -a short but grimly fantastic work nonetheless.

I have always enjoyed that story. He does a good job capturing the confusion and fear of being lost and disoriented. I have it in the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation.

His best work, in my opinion, was Anna Karenina. It has been a few years since I read it, but I remember enjoying it immensely. It is one of the best novels ever written.

Tolstoy is amazing, but sometimes I do have a hard time connecting with him. At times he takes the role of historian very seriously, leaving some of his shorter works, like The Cossacks, and even great stretches of War and Peace, to feel like a newscast. Its a minor complaint, made possible only by my own uneducated personal taste, against a literary genius.

I like how Chekhov said it; "When literature possesses a Tolstoy, it is easy and pleasant to be a writer; even when you know you have achieved nothing yourself and are still achieving nothing, this is not as terrible as it might otherwise be, because Tolstoy achieves for everyone. What he does serves to justify all the hopes and aspirations invested in literature."

[Raven Falcon.]

I have always enjoyed that story. He does a good job capturing the confusion and fear of being lost and disoriented. I have it in the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation.

His best work, in my opinion, was Anna Karenina. It has been a few years since I read it, but I remember enjoying it immensely. It is one of the best novels ever written.

Tolstoy is amazing, but sometimes I do have a hard time connecting with him. At times he takes the role of historian very seriously, leaving some of his shorter works, like The Cossacks, and even great stretches of War and Peace, to feel like a newscast. Its a minor complaint, made possible only by my own uneducated personal taste, against a literary genius.

I like how Chekhov said it; "When literature possesses a Tolstoy, it is easy and pleasant to be a writer; even when you know you have achieved nothing yourself and are still achieving nothing, this is not as terrible as it might otherwise be, because Tolstoy achieves for everyone. What he does serves to justify all the hopes and aspirations invested in literature."

Tolstoy the moralist or the philosopher and Tolstoy the writer were different beings in one man.

In War and Peace, he repeats himself again and again in his discourse of history.

No avid reader, however, can dismiss his masterful if not matchless ability to create amazingly life-like and realistic characters.

[bIGwIRE]

In War and Peace, he repeats himself again and again in his discourse of history.

No avid reader, however, can dismiss his masterful if not matchless ability to create amazingly life-like and realistic characters.

Not only readers, but his peers as well. From Nabakov to Faulkner, Proust to Dostoevsky, Mann to Wolfe, everyone pays tribute to Tolstoy's amazing contribution to literature, and history. It's rare to find such a plethora in total agreement.

Not even Shakespeare commands that level of respect. Has anyone seen Tolstoy's own thoughts on Shakespeare?

[Raven Falcon.]

Not only readers, but his peers as well. From Nabakov to Faulkner, Proust to Dostoevsky, Mann to Wolfe, everyone pays tribute to Tolstoy's amazing contribution to literature, and history. It's rare to find such a plethora in total agreement.

Not even Shakespeare commands that level of respect. Has anyone seen Tolstoy's own thoughts on Shakespeare?

He hated Shakespeare, but he was in his moralist mode when he wrote the essay. I think 'What is Art' is the title.

[WyattGwyon]

I don't know wno that is? Who is he? I'm always looking for new Russian authors to read.

Andrei Bely's novel Petersburg is a masterpiece.

A couple of big post-WWII novels:
Vasily Grossman: Life and Fate
Vassily Aksyanov: Generations of Winter

Andrei Platonov wrote some brilliant short stories.
Isaac Babel's Red Cavalry Stories, among others, are great.

[KCurtis]

If Karamazov lets me down I will cry and then in an act of shrieking desperation cut off all my hair again or do nothing but listen to Lou Reed alone in my room under a blanket rocking back and forth, chain-smoking..

Don't do that! I've tried it, it doesn't work (I didn't cut off ALL my hair though)

[Mr.lucifer]

I heard victor pelevin is great.

[neilgee]

Andrei Bely's novel Petersburg is a masterpiece.

I'm not disputing whether it's a masterpiece of it's kind or not but readers should in all fairness be warned that this is an experimental novel, part of it is written in a dream sequence and you have to be pretty sharp to spot where the dream begins and ends, a traditional Dosteyevskian type Russian novel it aint, and it lost me.

[WyattGwyon]

The only Russian author whose work I've read is Tolstoy. He is brilliant.

I don't usually read others because of the language barrier. Does anyone else worry that literature becomes corrupted when translated into other languages? I don't know Russian, so I'm hoping the English translations don't rub away some of the gold from Tolstoy's work. I know that some books I have read in Spanish are not the same in English and so this worries me and I have become very cautious when it comes to translations.

Dostoyevsky is the last author I would worry about in this regard, since he wrote in a very matter of fact, quasi-journalistic manner.