I’m in the odd situation, with the next two Penguin Moderns in my sequential read of the box set, of coming across two books containing works I’ve already previously read. The Russian PM I bought separately in advance of the box coming my way, as I love Gazdanov’s work so much, and it also served as a taster for a collection of his short stories; and the Calvino stories are drawn from one of my favourite collections of his work, “The Complete Cosmicomics”. Both have been reviewed here on the Ramblings, but as these are two favourite authors I was more than happy to revisit them!
Penguin Modern 21 – Four Russian Short Stories by Gazdanov and others (Translated by Bryan Karetnyk)
As I’ve probably mentioned before, Gazdanov is a recent discovery by me, thanks to the wonderful translations by Bryan Karetnyk which have been issued by the lovely Pushkin Press. I’ve read each one they’ve put out, and his writing is just marvellous. The four stories here, by Gazdanov, Nina Berberova, Yuri Felsen and Galina Kuznetsova, are all translated by Karetnyk and three of them featured in his wonderful anthology “Russian Emigre Short Stories from Bunin to Yanovsky”.
I reviewed that book here, and discussed PM21 here; and of the latter I said “if you want an introduction to Russian émigré writing this is definitely a great place to start. One of the things which please me about the “Russian Emigre…” volume was the gender balance and the fact that there were a goodly number of women writers featured; I’m glad to see that this has been carried over to PM21 as there is a 50:50 split.”
And of the full collection I said, “This important, landmark collection brings them back to life and into the public eye; and whether you have an interest in Russian 20th century writers, or just like wonderful stories, I can’t recommend this book highly enough to you.”
Revisiting the stories hasn’t changed my mind about the quality of the writing here; and as well as picking up PM21 for the marvellous uncollected story, I also of course still highly recommend the émigré collection!
Penguin Modern 22 – The Distance of the Moon by Italo Calvino (Translated by Martin McLaughlin, Tim Parks and William Weaver)
Ah, Calvino! I have had a major obsession with his work for a good chunk of my life which has never really gone away, ever since I was pointed in the direction of “If on a winter’s night a traveler…” back in the early 1980s. It would be one of my desert island books, as would be his “Complete Cosmicomics”. Both of these are books I’ve revisited on the blog, “Traveler…” here and “Cosmicomics…” here. The PM draws four stories from the collection: the title story (which is one of my favourites), Without Colours, As Long as the Sun Lasts and Implosion.

By Fotograf: Johan Brun, Dagbladet (Oslo Museum/Digitalt Museum) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
Again, that’s another statement I’d stand by; everything I’ve read by Calvino has been just amazing and he’s been one of those landmark authors in my life. Hopefully this Penguin Modern might sneak his work into a few more readers’ hearts… 😀
*****
So as well as encountering new authors, reading the Penguin Moderns is allowing me revisit some favourites. I’m blessed with this box set, really, and I can’t wait to see what comes next! 😀
Feb 19, 2019 @ 07:47:59
These Penguin moderns are clearly giving you a lot of joy. Needless to say I haven’t read either of these authors, but you make their work sound fascinating.
Feb 19, 2019 @ 09:45:17
They really are! And I can highly recommend all of the authors on this post – not only Gazdanov and Calvino, but also the other authors in the Russian book (mind you, I’m always biased in favour of Russian writing!)
Feb 19, 2019 @ 07:52:23
Can’t tell you how much pleasure it gives me to hear you rave about your favourite authors! I’ve yet to discover Gazdanov, although I have at least one of his books in my TBR pile. High time I reread some Calvino though…
Feb 19, 2019 @ 09:46:06
Happy to oblige – I love to ramble on about my favourites! You can never read enough Calvino in my view, and I do hope you enjoy Gazdanov!
Feb 19, 2019 @ 07:53:27
Can I bring everything down to my basic level and ask how good-looking was Gazdanov? Did he write in between international modelling assignments? 😀
Seriously, these both sound great. The PMs seem like a good way to get a taster of these great authors and prompt further exploration of their work.
Feb 19, 2019 @ 09:47:13
Yeah, he really was, wasn’t he? Imagine having a taxi driver like that…. 😀
And yes, both of these PMs are great – such wonderful tasters of great authors, but maybe not so great for the TBR or wishlist!
Feb 19, 2019 @ 07:54:21
Also, just to reveal my shallow nature: bit of a babe, young Gazdanov! 😳
Feb 19, 2019 @ 09:47:47
Not shallow – young Gazdanov was cute as f…! :DDDD
Feb 19, 2019 @ 18:53:54
Ooh, ooh, Gazdanov. I loved his intriguing Spectre of Alexander Wolf and the beautiful, elegiac An Evening with Claire. How interesting to see him featured in one of these Penguin Moderns.
Feb 19, 2019 @ 19:31:56
He’s a wonderful writer (as well as being hot…..). And the other three stories in this collection are great too (as is the emigre collection). His profile has certainly increased recently, thanks to the Pushkin translations.
Feb 19, 2019 @ 19:49:58
Ah, I love Calvino. He is a very playful writer, I enjoy Cosmicomics and Mr. Palomar vey much, for very similar reasons, I’m glad you enjoyed the re-read.
Feb 19, 2019 @ 20:54:36
He is absolutely marvellous – I could happily spend several months just reading him and nothing else! 😀
Feb 21, 2019 @ 01:15:39
How excellent!
Feb 21, 2019 @ 13:31:35
If you love Russian lit, I definitely recommend this and the bigger Emigre collection – they contain some amazing riches!
Feb 21, 2019 @ 17:35:22
The Emigres did produce some amazing works! I would love to read them all. Thanks for the suggestion and the post. 😊
Feb 21, 2019 @ 19:07:47
Very welcome! 😀
Feb 21, 2019 @ 20:02:38
Imagine how great these would be if you hadn’t already read them! I’m hoping the Berberova story is a sign that she will eventually be under the Penguin Classics banner.
Feb 21, 2019 @ 21:05:50
They were great on a revisit too, but you can’t always get back that first thrill. It would be great if Berberova came out in Penguin – I so want to read more of her!
Feb 24, 2019 @ 21:40:09
One of the things that I love about your project is the sense of your resolve to complete the reading project. It’s so easy to lose track of reading plans, when one is voraciously interested in a variety of forms/authors/eras/imprints. Seeing someone else methodically “Keep on reading on” is such a warm goodness to share!
Feb 25, 2019 @ 07:34:08
LOL! I do often fall off the wagon with projects but this is one I’m determined to see through!! 🤣
Mar 03, 2019 @ 18:46:13
How funny that you got two in a row that you’d read already! I’m loving your progress through this project.
Mar 03, 2019 @ 19:30:24
I know, that *was* a bit weird wasn’t it? The next two are new though – if I get too bogged down in my current chunkster, I may pick them up for a break!