tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post4823389653861839687..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Anyuta by Anton ChekhovBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-11753387881675551792017-03-12T14:31:18.577-04:002017-03-12T14:31:18.577-04:00Hi Lainy - Indeed Chekhov often contrasted these p...Hi Lainy - Indeed Chekhov often contrasted these passive and exploited people with the pernicious people of the world. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-24886538121981582892017-03-12T13:04:03.504-04:002017-03-12T13:04:03.504-04:00Sometimes the vile characters show the greater qua...Sometimes the vile characters show the greater qualities of their co characters (Anyuta). I think this is one for a later date also, I am reading something a bit lighter just now just for a change of pace.<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-13230448786416609562017-03-10T18:56:31.073-05:002017-03-10T18:56:31.073-05:00Hi Susan - So many of Chekhov's characters are...Hi Susan - So many of Chekhov's characters are resigned to their fate like Anyuta, The author seemed to be fascinated by such people. I am not sure why. This would be a very good topic for a seperate blog post. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-57880964764207993452017-03-10T18:09:33.305-05:002017-03-10T18:09:33.305-05:00Ahh Anyuta shouldn't be with this guy, but wh...Ahh Anyuta shouldn't be with this guy, but why is she? She seems to think he's like the other 5 guys she's known like him -- who will leave her. She sounds too resigned to her plight, eh?thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-56093187710767236292017-03-10T15:01:16.312-05:002017-03-10T15:01:16.312-05:00Thanks for the good word and thanks for stopping b...Thanks for the good word and thanks for stopping by Evelina. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-47652703114255778212017-03-10T13:13:03.849-05:002017-03-10T13:13:03.849-05:00Great review. You write reviews for a lot of good ...Great review. You write reviews for a lot of good literature! I'll be following the blog :)Evelina @ AvalinahsBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09564183695294142501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-20721980745281743782017-03-10T12:16:33.820-05:002017-03-10T12:16:33.820-05:00Hi R.T - Obtaining that book is such a great thing...Hi R.T - Obtaining that book is such a great thing to do!<br /><br />In terms of his plays The Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchid and the Seagull are among my favorites. <br /><br /><br />I just read some short stories and I will be posting more about them very soon. The Lady and Her Little Dog stands out for me. I found that it is hard to go wrong with Chekhov. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-76370590100409698622017-03-10T11:49:37.473-05:002017-03-10T11:49:37.473-05:00Brian, I just downloaded the Delphi edition of Che...Brian, I just downloaded the Delphi edition of Chekhov at Amazon. Point me in the direction of your favorites. And perhaps your many visitors will also tell me about their favorites. Help me build a reading syllabus. Thanks.RTDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17113953356514605424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-61315134005528390442017-03-10T11:18:23.748-05:002017-03-10T11:18:23.748-05:00Hi Caroline - I just read a short story collection...Hi Caroline - I just read a short story collection by him. His works are sublime. I will be posting more on his works in the coming weeks. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-25543642459628277972017-03-10T03:56:02.712-05:002017-03-10T03:56:02.712-05:00This puts me in the mood to read some Chekhov. It&...This puts me in the mood to read some Chekhov. It's not a story I'm familiar with but your review reminds me of others that I've read and found wonderful. <br />Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-11758673717734415512017-03-08T19:58:52.526-05:002017-03-08T19:58:52.526-05:00Thanks Sharon.
I agree that the urge to dominate ...Thanks Sharon.<br /><br />I agree that the urge to dominate is a source of evil and misery in this world. <br /><br />Though I am a disbeliver in divine help I believe that humankind is slowly getting better. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-61030172248211730122017-03-08T18:19:37.496-05:002017-03-08T18:19:37.496-05:00Good review. I believe the ultimate evil is manki...Good review. I believe the ultimate evil is mankind's lust to dominate others.<br /><br />We see this on the personal level between friends...one friend always demanding their way... one spouse putting down the other or constantly nagging in effort to be in control... even passive aggressively..."you spent five hours making this meal for me? Is it gluten free?"<br /><br />To politics, to warfare....why must a leader of a country invade other countries and cause so much suffering just because they want to be "Kaiser" or Emperor etc..?<br /><br />Then as in Chekov's story, the arbitrary use and abuse of someone.<br /><br />It's a fallen world. I thank God there is a hereafter. :)Gently Madhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10450371589766691273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-25957580749393782732017-03-07T05:46:55.906-05:002017-03-07T05:46:55.906-05:00Ho Baili - I think that your way of doing things i...Ho Baili - I think that your way of doing things is nearly perfect. Give to others and do not worry about what you get back. Always maintain your dignity and rights. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-27075816979899501372017-03-07T02:16:21.802-05:002017-03-07T02:16:21.802-05:00Very nice story ,sounds inspired by some true inc...Very nice story ,sounds inspired by some true incidents as writer did not try to give it a happy ending.<br />i myself is a person who is since beginning is giver without having hope for return but when it comes to my self respect or basic rights i never surrender. bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-9419520115183674122017-03-06T09:25:38.994-05:002017-03-06T09:25:38.994-05:00Thanks R.T. - The Cherry Orchid was a remarkable p...Thanks R.T. - The Cherry Orchid was a remarkable play. It has been awhile since I read it. I just read The Lady and Her Pet Dog for the first time. I found it to be brilliant and poignant. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-34604831063179037292017-03-06T09:15:01.487-05:002017-03-06T09:15:01.487-05:00Thanks to you (and your fine critique), I feel mys...Thanks to you (and your fine critique), I feel myself being pulled back toward reading Chekhov's stories; however, if I were to choose my favorite from Chekhov, it would be his play, _The Cherry Orchard_, but my favorite short story would be "The Lady and the Pet Dog." It seems to me that Chekhov's consistent theme -- as you have suggested in your critique -- is the individual's isolation even when surround by others.RTDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17113953356514605424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-35469678637772021932017-03-05T11:14:12.750-05:002017-03-05T11:14:12.750-05:00Thanks Maria .
Indeed Chekhov's themes, be th...Thanks Maria .<br /><br />Indeed Chekhov's themes, be they about oppression or other subjects are so often Universal. There have been, and still are, many situations that exist in the world that are similar to the relationship described in this story. <br /><br />Whenever I read translated works I try to do a little research. When it comes to Russian literature there is so many opinions out there. So many people have favorite translators as well as translators that they do not like. I also read Larissa Volokhonsky and Richard Pevear's translation of The Brothers Karamazov. Though my knowledge on who is the best translator is at best shaky, from what I can tell from samples where I have compared between translations, their work is excellent. \<br /><br />Have a great weeK! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16083981250685687232017-03-05T11:03:06.044-05:002017-03-05T11:03:06.044-05:00Thanks Naida - As I have been reading a few short ...Thanks Naida - As I have been reading a few short stories from Chekov, I have found that many are sad. The type of relationship illustrated in this story also seems common with Chekhov. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60341947501022375262017-03-05T10:59:41.489-05:002017-03-05T10:59:41.489-05:00Thanks Reader's Tales.
Tragedy and sadness,...Thanks Reader's Tales.<br /><br />Tragedy and sadness, while painful, can make for such meaningful literature. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-56809539385596849702017-03-05T10:56:19.025-05:002017-03-05T10:56:19.025-05:00Hi Jacqui - I have been reading a bunch of Chekho...Hi Jacqui - I have been reading a bunch of Chekhov's stories lately, Almost without exception they are filled insights on humanity. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-29424898930156462212017-03-05T10:54:28.225-05:002017-03-05T10:54:28.225-05:00Hi Hila - I have been reading multiple Chekhov st...Hi Hila - I have been reading multiple Chekhov stories lately. He really did understand humanity, especially the plight of the downtrodden.<br /><br />I need to read more Faulkner. I have only read As I Lay Dying. <br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52105207019935866402017-03-05T10:53:29.636-05:002017-03-05T10:53:29.636-05:00Anyuta sounds like a depressing story. The passage...Anyuta sounds like a depressing story. The passages you quoted show just how sad the relationship is between these two but even worse is how Anyuta accepts it. Great post as always.The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16488041345127973462017-03-05T08:04:28.254-05:002017-03-05T08:04:28.254-05:00Such a great review, Brian! I've never read An...Such a great review, Brian! I've never read Anyuta but I know Anton Chekhov... I'm a big fan of Russian writers. Even if the story is sad and tragic it remains a very interesting reading. I will definitely read it in the near future. Thank you for sharing and have a great week! The Reader's Taleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12701126931175725145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-21808799882335175762017-03-05T02:52:53.449-05:002017-03-05T02:52:53.449-05:00It's been a while since I last read any Chekho...It's been a while since I last read any Chekhov, but I I always find something illuminating in his stories - they are full of insights into different facets of humanity. Like Kathy (above), I think he showed a lot of compassion for the disadvantaged in life. JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-2528507961494069902017-03-05T01:38:48.975-05:002017-03-05T01:38:48.975-05:00EXCELLENT review as usual, Brian!! :)
What a sad,...EXCELLENT review as usual, Brian!! :)<br /><br />What a sad, sad story.... Like Anyuta, there are women in many parts of the world today that suffer in silent, passive resignation, because the countries they live in consider them to be second class citizens. I'm sure that, even here in the U.S., in certain parts of the country, there are also women who suffer in silence. So this story is, sad to say, highly relevant to our own times.<br /><br />Russian fiction is famous for its social commentary, as well as for its focus on tragic events. I still remember my failed attempt at reading "Anna Karenina".... I just didn't like the book, as it focused on infidelity. And the ending was a tragic one.<br /><br />It's not easy to read these types of stories or novels, but I have come to the conclusion that you're right -- they ARE necessary, in order for people to see just how HORRIBLE injustice in any form can be. <br /><br />Since you specifically mentioned the translators of this book, I looked it up on Amazon. They're both award-winning translators. I have added the book to my "Immortal Literature" wish list on Amazon. (Yes, I have several book wish lists....lol.) I think I do need to read this book!<br /><br />Thanks for your very incisive commentary!! Have a wonderful Sunday!! :) :) :) <br /><br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.com