Read a Russian novel

I forgot to update this, but I read Anna Karenina in the early winter and really enjoyed it. Some of the Russian politics about the peasants, etc. was a little over my head, but I really did enjoy the book. I think it was a really good translation-a very recent Penguin edition-and that probably helped a lot.

whew, just finished crime and punishment. a captivating read, although the translation (garrett) was just ok. anna karenina is next!

it was translated into english, but it was worth the read if for the simple fact that it made me a better person… hooray for crime and punishment

My friend “the bookwhore” suggested Crime and Punishment. I was at the library yesterday and looked through a copy (the nice modern libary hardcover edition) and it didn’t look so bad! however i didn’t take it out b/c i was distracted by white teeth by zadie smith and also some short stories by jonathan franzan. maybe next time when i’m feeling committed!

I have started the Brothers Karamazov about 3 times, and read big portions of it for an Existential Literature class in college, but have never made it through the whole thing. I have a copy of Anna Karenina somewhere across the ocean and never cracked it open because it looked too intimidatingly long, even though the edition was new and glossy, a gift from a friend. I’m reading about 3 books currently. It’s hard to focus on something immense. Story of my life.

You remember that scene from Truly, Madly, Deeply? The one where Michael Moloney flings a book into the air, saying something along the lines of “Russian! It must always be a Russian novel!” Oh bugger, I used to be able to recite that movie from beginning to end, even (especially) the Neruda poem Alan Rickman’s Jamie recites. Anyway, the point is, I’ve never read a Russian. Time I did. Any suggestions?