I always appreciate how you write about classic books as if they were contemporary. No stuffy reverence but real engagement with what they have to say to us, universally.
Absolutely elegant and real. And so moving. Off to indie bkstore to order and then reread. Realizing like cliche thunderbolt that the young g’son (who just spent some time w/us before heading to London uni for his last year) is Arkady to the max. You explained him to me beautifully. Will much prefer to be the knowing granny than the panicky one.
I love the Russians but haven't read Turgenev. You make me want to read all the things, though! Feelings plus sociopolitical context is my soul nourishment, it's why I also love Indian novels. Bleak humanity rendered in the most beautiful ways.
It's been 30 years since I last read this book, and you've convinced me I need to read it again! I loved every moment of this. Also - have you already read any recent romances? Right now, romance is one of the rare genres of adult fiction that's unafraid to really go deep into raw human emotions, and a lot of romances are beautifully written, too. (Off the top of my head, I'd recommend trying Alexis Hall and Cat Sebastian, if you haven't already.)
I too am off to the book store. Love how you articulate what you find so great about the novels you like. Just finished Edith Wharton’s “The Writing of Fiction.” Fantastic. Your intro is a great piece of writing.
Did you happen to come across the New Yorker piece by Merve Emre on the Australian novelist Gerald Murnane? She writes of the Russian scholar Bakhtin’s idea of the “chronotope,” which she describes as “the particular fusion of time and space which created and saturated the invisible landscape of fiction, shaping the thoughts of all who dwelled in it.” Your piece brought that to mind.
It's a deal, but it helps that this is something that Agnon would almost certainly have read (I am going through all the books which I bought for a Tikvah Fund class very, very slowly)
I know you don't love all the opinions proffered by sharing a book recommendation - thank you for doing it anyway! Thank you for introducing me to Percival Everett and now to this trans. of Fathers and Children. I'm basically on a lit course where I read a book you recce and then (if I'm lucky) follow up with a newsletter deconstruction and I love ittttt :))
I went on a Turgenev binge a few months ago and read almost all his novels so it was wonderful to stumble on your beautiful analysis and close reading. You do such a great job of showing how he creates such a complex, moving, and yet unsentimental story, and his affection for and attention to people and political situations that are in a way timeless. I read the Garnett translation and now will have to read the more recent one.
Yes, yes, it's a gorgeous book. I need to reread it. I love the Russian authors. Such elegant, emotional writing. How do they do it? I'm always in awe. And I love your observations. Always love the bits you pull out for us to observe and savor.
I always appreciate how you write about classic books as if they were contemporary. No stuffy reverence but real engagement with what they have to say to us, universally.
Absolutely elegant and real. And so moving. Off to indie bkstore to order and then reread. Realizing like cliche thunderbolt that the young g’son (who just spent some time w/us before heading to London uni for his last year) is Arkady to the max. You explained him to me beautifully. Will much prefer to be the knowing granny than the panicky one.
🙏
I love the Russians but haven't read Turgenev. You make me want to read all the things, though! Feelings plus sociopolitical context is my soul nourishment, it's why I also love Indian novels. Bleak humanity rendered in the most beautiful ways.
Right after finishing your brilliant reflections, I came upon this https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/09/05/liberals-radicals-and-the-making-of-a-literary-masterpiece-ivan-turgenevs-fathers-and-children-slater-translation?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Daily_083022&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&utm_term=tny_daily_digest&bxid=5be9e2573f92a40469f6fd8e&cndid=14803676&hasha=33881f3d7ebd02fe0fb9c5d9b80c1e46&hashb=835cd0c7c92b9c40793f423ab1a2efb438ed54a9&hashc=905acd969e1f3cb1cdfdb0e915141ebc59fc339c110b5ccdd805280cea05d989&esrc=nyr_premerge_scrub&mbid=CRMNYR012019
... seems like a good companion piece!
It's been 30 years since I last read this book, and you've convinced me I need to read it again! I loved every moment of this. Also - have you already read any recent romances? Right now, romance is one of the rare genres of adult fiction that's unafraid to really go deep into raw human emotions, and a lot of romances are beautifully written, too. (Off the top of my head, I'd recommend trying Alexis Hall and Cat Sebastian, if you haven't already.)
I too am off to the book store. Love how you articulate what you find so great about the novels you like. Just finished Edith Wharton’s “The Writing of Fiction.” Fantastic. Your intro is a great piece of writing.
Did you happen to come across the New Yorker piece by Merve Emre on the Australian novelist Gerald Murnane? She writes of the Russian scholar Bakhtin’s idea of the “chronotope,” which she describes as “the particular fusion of time and space which created and saturated the invisible landscape of fiction, shaping the thoughts of all who dwelled in it.” Your piece brought that to mind.
It's a deal, but it helps that this is something that Agnon would almost certainly have read (I am going through all the books which I bought for a Tikvah Fund class very, very slowly)
Great review. Thanks for sharing.
I know you don't love all the opinions proffered by sharing a book recommendation - thank you for doing it anyway! Thank you for introducing me to Percival Everett and now to this trans. of Fathers and Children. I'm basically on a lit course where I read a book you recce and then (if I'm lucky) follow up with a newsletter deconstruction and I love ittttt :))
I went on a Turgenev binge a few months ago and read almost all his novels so it was wonderful to stumble on your beautiful analysis and close reading. You do such a great job of showing how he creates such a complex, moving, and yet unsentimental story, and his affection for and attention to people and political situations that are in a way timeless. I read the Garnett translation and now will have to read the more recent one.
Yes, yes, it's a gorgeous book. I need to reread it. I love the Russian authors. Such elegant, emotional writing. How do they do it? I'm always in awe. And I love your observations. Always love the bits you pull out for us to observe and savor.
So good. Off to re-read!
That was delicious. Thank you.
How could I not read it! After so compelling an invitation. Thank you!
Lovely descriptions here. Have you read First Love?! So elegantly earth-shattering.
ah gah, this is scrumptious