“On the Radar” provides small incidental rundowns on books which I’ve discovered, but haven’t yet purchased. These are titles that I’ve either added to my wishlist or am keeping a close eye on, with a view to adding them. In addition, these are books which I feel may be of some interest to fellow readers, and I welcome feedback as always, on your own opinions and thoughts on the listed titles – especially if you’ve already had the pleasure of reading them.
It’s funny how on the Internet one thing leads to another. There I am being entertained by a post on the Caustic Cover Critic, speaking about the ubiquitous cover use of Alexei Kondratyevich Savrasov’s painting ‘The Rooks Have Come Back’, and in the space of a couple of minutes I find two works of Russian literature that hit the radar instantly and go straight onto my wish list.
The Village by Ivan Bunin [ISBN: 1847491049] – The first is the one spoken about mainly in that Caustic Cover Critic article. Released this week as it happens by One World Classics, a quick check of the synopsis told me it was a book I really wanted to read – The Village is a bleak and uncompromising portrayal of rural life in south-west Russia. Set at the time of the 1905 Revolution and centering on episodes in the lives of two peasant brothers – “characters sunk so far below the average of intelligence as to be scarcely human” – it reveals the pettiness, violence and ignorance of life on the land. How incredibly yummy does that sound? 
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Dead Souls by Nikolay Gogol [ISBN: 0140448071] – My brief research on The Village lead me on to title’s page on Amazon.com (non-affiliate link as always) and a response from a Patrick W. Crabtree on a review for the book which more or less labelled Russian literature as a sad affair. Pat responded: “It’s true that much Russian literature gets the “misery rap” and for good cause. Someone should have helped you out and pointed you toward some of the more hilarious stuff that exists. Try Gogol’s “Dead Souls” (a guy travels around buying “dead serfs”), or his “The Inspector General”. Wow! A novel about a guy buying dead serfs? Must have! Must read! Must add to my list!
I’m still to look into Pat’s recommendation for Gogol’s The Inspector General but for now, another fine addition to my wish list.
About Rob
Dead Souls has been on my must-read list forever, but waiting to find a good used copy, lol. Thanks for adding The Village to my radar, it sounds really interesting.
Bunin is one of my favorite Russian writers, based on just one book by him that I’ve read, a part in a series collecting his complete works. I have been meaning to read more, because I loved loved loved the stories that I have read.
I read Dead Souls years ago, but in a slightly oldfashioned Dutch translation (Dutch is my native language). I wasn’t too impressed by the book, but I have a feeling that was due in large part to the translation. I’d love to read it in another translation (Dutch or English) to see what I think of it now. When you read it, be aware that Gogol never got to finish the book, so towards the end it kind of putters out, leaving you with an unfinished story.
Have you read any of Gogols short stories? Some of them are classics, The Nose and The Overcoat in particular.
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Claire – Our reading interests seem so compatible. You always seem to like what I like and vice-versa. If yo ever get around to reading ‘The Viilage’ (or ‘Dead Souls’ for that matter), then please let me know how you got on with them.
Myrthe – As always thank you for your input. It’s incredible reading your responses sometimes and not believing that English isn’t your first language. You put unilinguists (is that a word?!?) like me to shame. Thanks for validating Bunin. He’s an unknown to me but not for long. Also thanks for the info on Gogol not finishing ‘Dead Souls’. I probably wouldn’t have had the perception to realise that for myself, thinking it was all part of his literary plan.
As for the Gogol shorts – Shamefully I never have read any. I thought I had at least one on my 100 Shots reading list but I haven’t. I’ll rectify that now by adding both of your recommendations.
Many thanks!
Rob
Rob, you make me blush with your compliments! I have to admit to having lived in the US for a year and I have always had friends abroad and read books in English ever since I was fifteen or so, so I have always used English actively. Now that I don’t live in Holland anymore, I use English even more and I find myself even thinking or talking to myself in English most of the time. I actually prefer reading in English to reading in Dutch now. The only books I read in Dutch are non-fiction that was originally written in Dutch and very rarely a novel in Dutch.
Let me “tease” you a bit more by adding that on almost any given day I use four different languages: English, Dutch, Russian and Armenian. Sometimes mixed together into a completely weird language, especially when my two Armenian colleagues (who also speak Dutch) and I talk. We change languages midway through a sentence using Russian, Armenian and Dutch.
As for Gogol: I am looking forward to reading your thoughts on his stories or on Dead Souls, whichever one you get to first!
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Myrthe – no need to blush. Credit where it’s due and all that. Although after reading your response I think I’m due you a whole lot more credit given that you speak FOUR languages DAILY. I’m agog with admiration!
) Can I take it then that you read Gogol et al in their native language? I’ll be impressed if you say yes! (although not particularly surprised 
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Warmest
Rob
Though I speak Russian fairly well, I don’t read novels in that language. I do read (and fairly easily at that) non-fiction in Russian, but I’d miss too much of the details and nuances in reading fiction. That’s just a whole different use of the language. I do want to take up reading fiction in Russian again, but I am still gathering courage for that. Right now, reading fiction in Russian is not something I’d do for fun, though I would love to get to the point where it would be fun.
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Well Myrthe I’m disappointed, although not really!
) I can see why you prefer not to read Russian literature in the vernacular. Something to aim for though! 
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Warmest
Rob