Welcome to Litsy!

I pushed through this book of caricatures of russian people and the class values that shaped society during serfdom. it was a struggle at times. and i pushed through because there had to be a point to it all.

and i was very sad to get to the point where gogol stopped writing, very angry to find that there was no end, and no great point of the whole journey.

I wish it were finished and, ya know, Gogol hadn't burnt up the second volume 😂, BUT great themes and characters! I loved the “author breaking the 4th wall“ direct addresses, especially the conclusion to the first volume. The witty turns of phrase and writing style kept me smirking throughout. I read D.J. Hogarth's 1916 translation which reminded me of my fav 19th century authors and I'm not sure I would enjoy a newer translation as much. ⬇

I love this translator's note, but it makes me wish I could read the original Russian more than ever!

The character saying it doesn't really mean it, but I do! 😃📚📖📚😃

#ThankfulThoughts #souls I have an older translation of this book around here somewhere , but I fell in love with this NYRB classics cover.Still on #TBRMountain

To the door of an inn in the provincial town of N. there drew up a smart britchka—a light spring-carriage of the sort affected by bachelors, retired lieutenant-colonels, staff-captains, land-owners possessed of about a hundred souls, and, in short, all persons who rank as gentlemen of the intermediate category. 🐎 #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Thank you Caroline for my lovely #litsymail. I can always do with a bit of Michelle wisdom 😁 and I have a confession- I‘ve never read any ‘Russian‘ classic lit!!
Looking forward to the review mag too 😘 I could seriously sell your comments.

#BookReport 1/20

Four books this week, so a solid kicking-off 2020.

I was a bit disappointed by The Water Dancer, but enjoyed Saudade (both for #ToB2020).

Modern Lovers was an easy read and perfect for a hungover January 1st.

Dead Souls I had been reading and listening to for a few weeks. I often like my Russians but this one didn‘t live up to my expectations.

Chichikov is a man, travelling #Russia to buy “dead souls" from landowners. He uses these souls as collateral in obtaining loans. He obviously is a fraudster but not much more than the people he encounters while travelling. The novel
is a satirical charge against Russia I suppose. Too bad Gogol died before finishing his story.

#ReadingEurope2020 ?? #1001books #classicschallenge2020

#WeeklyForecast 50/19

I started Dead Souls on both audio and print. It will take a while to finish it, I think.
I am also reading Mr Nishino, which I will finish today.

Next will be Kindred for both #Booked2019 and #ReadingUSA2019.
I hope to finish the USA challenge this week by reading Sharp Objects.
If there is time left, I‘ll start In Hazard.

Starting this on a reading challenge from Facebook. I‘ve been on a real Russian literature kick this year so this fits right in and it has been a fantastic journey.

The main character uses #tricks to game the system in this laugh out loud funny Russian novel. #fallisbooked @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

1) My sister visited at the weekend and we had a brilliant time time walking all around Edinburgh
2) So many... LotR, Discworld,The Count of Monte Cristo, The Master and Margarita, The Dark is Rising to name a few
3) NO SPORT!
4) Dead Souls by Gogol introduced me to Russian satire and absurdism and I love it
#HumpDayPost

Hope you've all been enjoying this #Halloween season as much as I have!
And if you don't like scary books, you could always pick up a Russian comedy-satire with a misleadingly scary cover that inspires Halloween costumes 🙄🎃
#OctoberXFiles @Robothugs @Cinfhen

2018-I thought it was a short visit to the Russian wilderness in The Bear and the Nightingale. But Crime and Punishment urged me to overstay. I loved it so much that I'm currently travelling extensively with The Romanov Sisters. I would love to visit again with the Gentleman in Moscow.
#Russia never disappoints.
The tagged book is another favourite.😊
#Augustisatrip @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88

Dark and confusing and delicious.

I think I'm one of those weird souls who liked this book. The Namesake made me curious about the writer. Pick it if you are into Russian humour.

I love this book. Always have. Filled with nuance, wit, and historical significance. It is and always has been a jewel in the Russian canon.

This prompt makes me think of Russian writers first. You wouldn't think it from the cover, but this one is pretty funny, though Gogol died before finishing it. And I don't know if this is weird but besides the book, this photo shows actual apartment decor, not staged. ☠💀☠💀 #death #junebookbugs @RealLifeReading

That keep calling me
They keep calling me
Keep on calling me
They keep calling me...
Joy Division or NIN...whichever version you prefer
#maybookflowers #musicaltitles

#rockinmay #Backintheussr Don't know how lucky you are, boy. @Cinfhen

What did I think of Dead Souls? Come and read my fantastic book review blog. You absolutely should. I'm hilarious and incisive. Promise.... http://wp.me/p6hg3F-n4

I'm finding this increasingly hard going. The hero has had to run away from the village he was fleecing and the author has subsequently and literally lost the plot. I find that the more I look at the percentage read thing on on kindle or the view from the bus (cherry blossom) the less likely I am to finish the book- this one's prognosis is not looking good!

#rorygilmorereadinglist
#commuterread

I feel like gogol is the sort of guy I would like to stand beside at a society ball, whispering arch sides into my ear as I twittered behind my fan. He's a brilliant observer of the weaknesses of human nature, not so much women, and this has got to be one of the first instances of breaking the third wall.

#busreads
#rorygilmorereadinglist

Finally started on my February #russianauthors challenge read; decided to read Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol and I am absolutely loving it.

These books are at the top of my list of 'Classics I haven't read but will totally get around to one day. Probably.'

#aclassicyouhaventread #seasonsreadings2016

It's a pick, saved by the first half. Hilarious at times and then it wasn't.

A classic satire

😊

Oh Nikolai, you funny bastard. If you were 170 years younger, and still alive, I'd have all of your babies.

Currently reading and loving this book!

My book got too heavy ... Kindle time. Nikolai Gogol, you funny bastard.