The hottest Russian literature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

When Hell freezes over and Tolstoy learns to skate

The Lifeboat • 195 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
đź“š Literature Classics Russian literature Art Criticism Cultural Commentary Philosophy
  1. The painting 'The Devil skating when Hell freezes over' has a confusing history, with two artists named John Collier possibly involved. It raises questions about the truth of art and how things can get mixed up over time.
  2. Leo Tolstoy enjoyed skating and even learned it in his 60s. He brought joy to children by teaching them how to skate, seeing it as a kind of spiritual enlightenment.
  3. The conversation about whether Tolstoy could be depicted as the Devil highlights the blend of reality and myth in Russian literature. It questions how society views good and evil and whether everyone has a bit of both within them.

A Return to the World—On Dovlatov's Peter the Great and Dostoevsky's Christ

Vremya • 179 implied HN points • 02 Oct 22
đź“š Literature Fiction Russian literature Literary Analysis Cultural criticism Historical context
  1. Dovlatov's writing reflects his experience of exile and nostalgia, using a suitcase as a symbol of memories left behind. The suitcase not only holds belongings but also stories that reveal his past and identity.
  2. Bringing historical figures back into stories allows for humor and critique of current realities. Dovlatov’s Tsar Peter the Great humorously reacts to the changes in St. Petersburg, revealing deeper social and political comments.
  3. Dostoevsky's Christ in 'The Grand Inquisitor' offers a complex look at faith and freedom. The return of such a significant figure raises questions about belief and the hypocrisy of those who claim to follow him.

On Dostoevsky's Crocodile—Or Beginnings and Ends

Vremya • 239 implied HN points • 02 Jun 21
đź“š Literature Literary Criticism Short Stories Russian literature Social Commentary
  1. Dostoevsky's story 'The Crocodile' isn't widely known but has some interesting themes. It features a civil servant who gets stuck inside a crocodile and has to adapt to his strange situation.
  2. The tale satirizes social reformers and the media, highlighting how people often don't understand real life while claiming to know what is best for others. The protagonist even dreams up grand ideals from within the crocodile.
  3. There's a playful humor throughout the story, showing Dostoevsky's lighter side. This contrasts with his more serious works and reflects the influence of other writers like Gogol, who also used humor and absurdity in storytelling.

On Dostoevsky's Bobok—Or the Banality of the Dead

Vremya • 2 HN points • 24 Apr 22
đź“š Literature Classic literature Short Stories Satire Philosophy Russian literature
  1. Dostoevsky's short story 'Bobok' reveals how even the dead talk about trivial things, showing that our worries don't vanish after death. It makes us think about how much time we spend on little worries in life.
  2. The voice of the dead in 'Bobok' symbolizes how we still remember and think about people who have passed away, keeping their memories alive in our minds.
  3. Ivan Ivanych, the main character, feels lonely and out of place, hinting that every writer, like him, turns to stories and voices—sometimes even from the dead—to find connection and meaning.
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