Can’t wait to see what you think of Germinal. I haven’t read it yet but I definitely will. The only work I’ve read by Zola so far is Therese Raquin and I highly recommend it!
about austrian literature, please read The Man Without Qualities (Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften) by Robert Musil, an essayistic novel full of nietzsche, irony and literary experiments. also, The Sleepwalkers (Die Schlafwandler) by Hermann Broch, a literary jewel. don't forget Auto da Fé (Die Blendung) by Elias Canetti (Noberl winner for this novel). the first two were Kafka's contemporary.
I want to tackle The Instructions soon. The two volume set is so much less intimidating than the hardback I got, and I love the art. McSweeney's is such a fascinating publisher.
Love it! I recently picked up the 2 volume edition of The Instructions (on shelf in a bookstore!). I own most of these as well, including the Strudlhoff Steps. Have you heard of Zeno's Conscience by Italo Svelvo? I think you'd appreciate the narrative voice and psychoanalytic possibilities of the read. I agree that comment sections turn up the best new finds. Now I'm off to secure a copy of Demons!
I figured avid readers like yourself likely have most of these, but I'm happy to inspire you to pick up The Demons! I think I've heard of Svelvo, but I will add this to my TBR now!
I haven’t read Paternak in years but I loved it when I was young. Your background in Russian should make it especially interesting to hear your thoughts on the book!
I'm interested to see what you think of The Instructions. I also bought it this summer because I liked the idea of a Wallace like author but the book didnt work for me and I ended up giving up on it about 100 pages in. It may have not been the right book for me at this time but I'm interested in how youll interpret it
Another great PKD book is The Man in the High Castle. Also, a lesser known novel by him is Deus Irae. It's a very interesting almost pynchonesque story (also very short). I'm not sure if he died in the middle of writing it, or if he just co-wrote it with someone else, but he isn't the only credited author of the book. Funny you picked up a copy of Germinal; I picked one up about three weeks ago and have been thinking about reading it. I just got back from vacation, during which I read three books I think you'd love: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner, and Pinball, 1973 by Haruki Murakami.
@HannahsBooks The Sound and the Fury is the second Faulkner novel I've read -- the first being As I Lay Dying. I was told that As I Lay Dying is not a good Faulkner book to start on, but I thought quite the opposite. It does a good job of showing Faulkner somber poetic side, contrasting that with his beautifully written exposition. The Sound and the Fury, I found, is far more artistic: it pushes the boundaries of what a novel really is. I also found it more enjoyable than As I Lay Dying, despite the story being such a dreadful one. All in all, really like Faulkner so far, and can't wait to read more of him (and hear him talked about). I'm thinking I might read Absalom! Absalom! or Intruder in the Dust next.
Interesting books! I'm also planning on reading "Germinal" this year, so can't wait to hear your thoughts! I'm also very interested in "Doctor Zhivago", after reading "Limonov" by Emmanuel Carrère and the remarks made about the author, but I find it a little intimidating! Maybe I'll wait to hear what you think about it 🙂
I know this comment is a few days after I watched the video, but I thought of another Russian novel that I think you should definitely look into (if you're not familiar with it already). The book is called The Foundation Pit by Andrey Platonov. I read it a long time ago, and just remembered it recently; thought I would mention it (just in case you haven't heard of it).
Great commentary. It must be an uncanny coincidence but another BookTuber - @ToReadersItMayConcern - included Zola's Germinal as a To Be Read title on his post yesterday. I'll be interested in comparing responses once you've both read it. While Zola has sometimes being belittled in academia as a rough, almost journalistic practitioner compared to more fine grained novelists like Henry James and Marcel Proust, I quite admire the vigour of his writing. You've most likely "been there" - but I've just completed Nadezhda Mandelstam's Hope Against Hope, memoirs of her relationship with Osip, which focuses most poignantly on their final years together. A good excuse for me to finally read two different translations of selected poetry by Mandelstam (one by Clarence Brown and W S Merwin; the other by James Greene) - having no Russian language skills, it's helpful comparing the two, sometimes a poem seems to work more in one rather than the other. Followed this up with Anna Akhmatova's Poems (translation by Lyn Coffin, introduction by Joseph Brodsky). I'm now half-way through Alexander Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago (my edition of 600 pages constitutes just a third of the original work). Solzhenitsyn's one-man indictement of the entire Soviet Communist judicial system from its inception through to the 1960s works quite well with Hope Against Hope still fresh in one's mind. Feel free to share thoughts on these at any point in the future.
I'll add these to the list. I was starting at some Henry James books yesterday but wasn't sure if I wanted to start reading him yet. Somewhat trying to slow my used book buying as I have these large novels to work on haha
Hey! My name is Salustiano Berrios. I'll be brief. I wrote a novel called Growing Children. A sci-fi thriller about a father struggling to come to terms with his autistic son--and the lengths he goes to "rectify" the situation. It's a book with something to say, and I'm proud to say that it's in Barnes & Nobles. My other books are on Amazon. My book was just featured on YT channel To Readers It May Concern. I would love it if you and I could have an extended chat on your YT channel. Not even about my book, but just to chat about books in general. I imagine a lively conversation can be had! If anything, perhaps you'd be interested in checking the book out. Thank you! Cheers, my friend! I look forward to hearing back from you!
I adored the instructions, one of my straight up favorite books. Love the style.
Can’t wait to see what you think of Germinal. I haven’t read it yet but I definitely will. The only work I’ve read by Zola so far is Therese Raquin and I highly recommend it!
Zola is super underrated, glad to see someone talk about him!
very pleasant to see Pasternak here! Loving your 'Russification' of these novels btw)
PKD’s Androids Dream Of… is amazing!! U r captivating to watch
about austrian literature, please read The Man Without Qualities (Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften) by Robert Musil, an essayistic novel full of nietzsche, irony and literary experiments. also, The Sleepwalkers (Die Schlafwandler) by Hermann Broch, a literary jewel. don't forget Auto da Fé (Die Blendung) by Elias Canetti (Noberl winner for this novel). the first two were Kafka's contemporary.
Wonderful! Adding these all to my list. Thank you!
Zola's books are very worth reading .
I have a feeling I’ll be reading many more of his works
I am envious! Great haul!
I want to tackle The Instructions soon. The two volume set is so much less intimidating than the hardback I got, and I love the art. McSweeney's is such a fascinating publisher.
Love it! I recently picked up the 2 volume edition of The Instructions (on shelf in a bookstore!). I own most of these as well, including the Strudlhoff Steps. Have you heard of Zeno's Conscience by Italo Svelvo? I think you'd appreciate the narrative voice and psychoanalytic possibilities of the read. I agree that comment sections turn up the best new finds. Now I'm off to secure a copy of Demons!
I figured avid readers like yourself likely have most of these, but I'm happy to inspire you to pick up The Demons! I think I've heard of Svelvo, but I will add this to my TBR now!
@@TheActiveMind1 Booktube is great! Always finding new things or hearing something new about a book I want to read. Appreciate your videos for sure!
Have you heard of the three body problem ? It’s a sci-fi book but you will probably like it
I have! I’m easing myself into the genre but I’ve had Three Body Problem in mind
The bit about Adam Levine lmao
I haven’t read Paternak in years but I loved it when I was young. Your background in Russian should make it especially interesting to hear your thoughts on the book!
I'm interested to see what you think of The Instructions. I also bought it this summer because I liked the idea of a Wallace like author but the book didnt work for me and I ended up giving up on it about 100 pages in. It may have not been the right book for me at this time but I'm interested in how youll interpret it
I enjoyed Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Btw the film and novel differ greatly. Both tell engaging stories. Happy reading.
I thought that might be the case. Surprisingly I've seen neither Blade Runner movie so I'm going in without preconceived expectations
Another great PKD book is The Man in the High Castle. Also, a lesser known novel by him is Deus Irae. It's a very interesting almost pynchonesque story (also very short). I'm not sure if he died in the middle of writing it, or if he just co-wrote it with someone else, but he isn't the only credited author of the book. Funny you picked up a copy of Germinal; I picked one up about three weeks ago and have been thinking about reading it. I just got back from vacation, during which I read three books I think you'd love: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner, and Pinball, 1973 by Haruki Murakami.
Thank you for the recommendations!
Ooh, I can’t wait to see what you think of Faulkner!
@HannahsBooks The Sound and the Fury is the second Faulkner novel I've read -- the first being As I Lay Dying. I was told that As I Lay Dying is not a good Faulkner book to start on, but I thought quite the opposite. It does a good job of showing Faulkner somber poetic side, contrasting that with his beautifully written exposition. The Sound and the Fury, I found, is far more artistic: it pushes the boundaries of what a novel really is. I also found it more enjoyable than As I Lay Dying, despite the story being such a dreadful one. All in all, really like Faulkner so far, and can't wait to read more of him (and hear him talked about). I'm thinking I might read Absalom! Absalom! or Intruder in the Dust next.
Interesting books! I'm also planning on reading "Germinal" this year, so can't wait to hear your thoughts! I'm also very interested in "Doctor Zhivago", after reading "Limonov" by Emmanuel Carrère and the remarks made about the author, but I find it a little intimidating! Maybe I'll wait to hear what you think about it 🙂
I know this comment is a few days after I watched the video, but I thought of another Russian novel that I think you should definitely look into (if you're not familiar with it already). The book is called The Foundation Pit by Andrey Platonov. I read it a long time ago, and just remembered it recently; thought I would mention it (just in case you haven't heard of it).
Great commentary. It must be an uncanny coincidence but another BookTuber - @ToReadersItMayConcern - included Zola's Germinal as a To Be Read title on his post yesterday. I'll be interested in comparing responses once you've both read it. While Zola has sometimes being belittled in academia as a rough, almost journalistic practitioner compared to more fine grained novelists like Henry James and Marcel Proust, I quite admire the vigour of his writing.
You've most likely "been there" - but I've just completed Nadezhda Mandelstam's Hope Against Hope, memoirs of her relationship with Osip, which focuses most poignantly on their final years together. A good excuse for me to finally read two different translations of selected poetry by Mandelstam (one by Clarence Brown and W S Merwin; the other by James Greene) - having no Russian language skills, it's helpful comparing the two, sometimes a poem seems to work more in one rather than the other. Followed this up with Anna Akhmatova's Poems (translation by Lyn Coffin, introduction by Joseph Brodsky). I'm now half-way through Alexander Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago (my edition of 600 pages constitutes just a third of the original work). Solzhenitsyn's one-man indictement of the entire Soviet Communist judicial system from its inception through to the 1960s works quite well with Hope Against Hope still fresh in one's mind.
Feel free to share thoughts on these at any point in the future.
I'll add these to the list. I was starting at some Henry James books yesterday but wasn't sure if I wanted to start reading him yet. Somewhat trying to slow my used book buying as I have these large novels to work on haha
Hey! My name is Salustiano Berrios. I'll be brief. I wrote a novel called Growing Children. A sci-fi thriller about a father struggling to come to terms with his autistic son--and the lengths he goes to "rectify" the situation. It's a book with something to say, and I'm proud to say that it's in Barnes & Nobles. My other books are on Amazon.
My book was just featured on YT channel To Readers It May Concern.
I would love it if you and I could have an extended chat on your YT channel. Not even about my book, but just to chat about books in general. I imagine a lively conversation can be had! If anything, perhaps you'd be interested in checking the book out.
Thank you! Cheers, my friend! I look forward to hearing back from you!
I have Strudlhof Steps but haven't read it yet. Germinal is Zola's best. Im currently reading Dostoevsky's The Idiot. PKD is awesome.
oh, another poetic novel (about comunism also as social idealism) please find Chevengur by Andrey Platonov. simply wonderful! 😉
I already had Chevengur on my list so good to hear!
Christ is King 👑 ✝️