I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to review some wonderful volumes in the Columbia University Press Russian Library over the past year or so for Shiny New Books; and I’m delighted that my review of a very special book is up today over at Shiny!
Mikhail Zoshchenko is one of Russia’s best-loved satirists; his “Scenes from a Bathhouse” is probably the title most known in English (and I do have a copy somewhere in the stacks…). “Sentimental Tales” is a newly selected and translated collection of linked tales, rendered beautifully in English by Boris Dralyuk, and it’s a real treat.
The Russian Library books are beautiful to look at and contain some marvellous gems – although I think this might be the jewel in the crown so far! You can read my review on Shiny here, and I can’t recommend this one enough! 🙂
Aug 02, 2018 @ 10:46:34
I’ve just been sent a copy of this (I’m hoping to get to it in September if I get a chance!). The library is a lovely idea, so I hope they stick with it 🙂
Aug 02, 2018 @ 12:20:31
It is – and the books I’ve read from it so far have all been excellent. Let’s hope they keep producing them!
Aug 02, 2018 @ 11:29:03
Zoshchenko is a classic!
Aug 02, 2018 @ 12:19:32
Definitely! Wonderful book!
Aug 02, 2018 @ 12:03:12
as always you have written really fascinating and beautiful review and i am really waiting for my copy to arrive
Aug 02, 2018 @ 12:19:08
Thank you so much! I do hope you enjoy it as much as me! 🙂
Aug 02, 2018 @ 12:26:15
i really well, i don’t know any book which i discovered through your blog that failed to impress me
Aug 02, 2018 @ 12:29:20
That’s good to know! 😀
Aug 02, 2018 @ 12:51:36
I haven’t found time to write about this yet, but I have to agree with your warm words.
Aug 02, 2018 @ 13:02:59
Thanks Jane! I think it’s such a wonderful book!
Aug 02, 2018 @ 13:17:17
Kaggsy, Kolenkorov and I couldn’t have dreamt of a kinder and more perceptive review! Why, our author might even change his mind about critics in general…
Aug 02, 2018 @ 14:28:44
Aww, thank you Boris! I must admit I became quite attached to Kolenkorov and enjoyed his authorial interjections just as much as his stories! 🙂
Aug 02, 2018 @ 15:10:42
I know, I know! His voice is hard to shake — just ask anyone who’s had the misfortune of talking to me in the past two years.
Aug 02, 2018 @ 17:10:30
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Aug 02, 2018 @ 19:14:23
Lovely review, this sounds like a superb collection.
Aug 02, 2018 @ 20:24:28
Thanks Ali! It really is a special one! 🙂
Aug 03, 2018 @ 13:11:48
Oh, it’s published at last. Been waiting for this since reading that Pushkin 1917 anthology last year. Will put on my post-Edbookfest wishlist.
Aug 03, 2018 @ 19:19:12
It has indeed! And is worth the wait – marvellous book! 🙂
Aug 03, 2018 @ 20:04:54
Hoping to pick this up at some point. I think the Library is a great idea but I previously haven’t known where to start – luckily this is a writer I was already interested in reading.
Aug 03, 2018 @ 20:42:33
The Library has some interesting titles, but they’ve been mostly writers who are knew to me. But I had come across Zoshchenko and I have some of his work somewhere, so it was ideal for me!