Their books are not for everyone, I am sure. I tried "Doctor Zhivago" a couple of times until I could get around all their different names. But then I absolutely loved it. I would think "Anna Karenina" might be the same, I loved it the first time around, though my favourite by Tolstoy is "War and Peace".
I do find the Russian naming convention rather strange - with formal and 'pet' names... Its rather confusing when one person has multiple names - plus Russian novels tend to have a LOT of main characters, so its hard to keep track sometimes!!
I'm expecting to read quite a few Classics this year - my target is 15 and I've already managed 9 with another 3 in my review pile - so I should easily make that. I'll see if I can slip in at least one Russian classic.... [grin]
That is the main problem most people have with Russian literature. I usually write down the names with patronyms etc. plus relation on a list, makes it easier to remember them.
American novel: let's take a road trip and drug trip and find Hollywood
ReplyDelete[lol]
ReplyDeleteThat's why I love Russian novels so much, I guess. ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've read that many - certainly none of the Classic ones. I tried 'Anna Karenina' a while back but couldn't get into it.
ReplyDeleteTheir books are not for everyone, I am sure. I tried "Doctor Zhivago" a couple of times until I could get around all their different names. But then I absolutely loved it. I would think "Anna Karenina" might be the same, I loved it the first time around, though my favourite by Tolstoy is "War and Peace".
ReplyDeleteI do find the Russian naming convention rather strange - with formal and 'pet' names... Its rather confusing when one person has multiple names - plus Russian novels tend to have a LOT of main characters, so its hard to keep track sometimes!!
ReplyDeleteI'm expecting to read quite a few Classics this year - my target is 15 and I've already managed 9 with another 3 in my review pile - so I should easily make that. I'll see if I can slip in at least one Russian classic.... [grin]
That is the main problem most people have with Russian literature. I usually write down the names with patronyms etc. plus relation on a list, makes it easier to remember them.
ReplyDeleteI might need to try that!! [grin]
ReplyDeleteGo ahead. It definitely helps.
ReplyDelete