I have a new review up at Shiny New Books today that I wanted to share with you, and it’s of a wonderful chunky volume of stories which has been involving me for a few weeks.
“Russian Émigré Short Stories from Bunin to Yanovsky” is a landmark collection from Penguin. Skilfully collected, edited, annotated and mostly translated by the talented Bryan Karetnyk, it collects together a wonderful array of works by authors who were exiled from their homeland by the Russian Revolution and the Civil War 100 years ago.
Translator and all-round clever person Bryan Karetnyk
Some authors are well-known (Nabokov, Bunin), some recently rediscovered (Teffi, Gaito Gazdanov) but many new to me and newly translated and quite marvellous.
You can read my review here – and I can’t recommend this collection highly enough.
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Sep 14, 2017 @ 20:37:53
I was in conversation with another blogger yesterday about the best way to read short story collections? One a day, one a week or read it as you would a novel? How did you approach this collection Karen?
Sep 14, 2017 @ 21:01:18
It can be difficult with short stories, particularly when they are slimmer volumes – the temptation is to gulp them all down, and if they happen to be by the same author it’s even harder to resist. However, this one had several things going for it – the stories varied in length, so I usually ended up reading one a day which spaced them out nicely. Also, as there were so many different and varied authors it didn’t feel like I was reading similar stuff over and over again. I couldn’t do a story a week I suspect – I think I would lose the impetus and the thread that runs through any collection. But it isn’t easy when you’re trying to balance this with reading novels, and a lot depends on how much reading time you have!
Sep 14, 2017 @ 21:04:49
Hm I was wondering about that downside of reading one a week too – whether I would lose the cohesive feel of the collection. I need to find something that works for me since although I am not keen on short stories, I do have a few awaiting my attention
Sep 14, 2017 @ 21:14:55
If you have the time to read one a day alongside something else, that might work – good luck! 😁
Sep 15, 2017 @ 15:20:58
I’m currently reading this, though very slowly – it was very reasonable on Kindle so I’m dipping into it on my phone when I’m at a loose end. enjoying it so far – it’s also something of a sociological document.
Sep 15, 2017 @ 21:40:45
It certainly is very dippable I find. And you’re right – it reveals much about the problems and consequences of exile and displacement.
Sep 16, 2017 @ 16:02:32
I am determined to read more short stories this winter but being a very definite novice in the area I’m not sure this is the place to start. I shall take note of it for a later date.
Sep 16, 2017 @ 16:10:51
No, this is perhaps not the best introduction to the short story format for a novice, although it *is* a really wonderful collection. You could perhaps try one of the Oxford University Press ‘city’ collections which bring together a number of stories by a wide variety of authors set in a particular city. I’ve reviewed a number here, and they’re excellent.
Sep 16, 2017 @ 16:48:23
These sound interesting but I can’t seem to track any down. Could you possibly give me the exact title of one? Thanks.
Sep 16, 2017 @ 16:54:33
There are a few reviewed here:
https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/roaming-the-streets-of-paris/
https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2015/04/18/stories-from-behind-the-iron-curtain-and-in-front-actually/
They usually have the name of the city plus Tales, although in the case of Paris there are three volumes – obviously an inspirational place!!
Sep 16, 2017 @ 17:57:55
Found them. Thanks.
Sep 16, 2017 @ 19:53:58
Excellent!
Sep 16, 2017 @ 16:19:20
Great review and fabulous cover. What an amazing set of books have come out this year so far!
Sep 16, 2017 @ 16:40:09
Thanks! Yes, I’ve read some crackers this year!
Sep 17, 2017 @ 17:15:48
Wow, this looks wonderful. I’m terribly behind with my Russian reading at the moment, but can’t help feeling another impulse buy is imminent …
Sep 17, 2017 @ 17:28:43
If you were impulse buying I would certainly recommend it – it really is packed with riches! 🙂
Jan 01, 2018 @ 06:57:10
Apr 05, 2018 @ 06:52:30