cozy vlog: bookish unboxing, my first Chekhov play, & more recent reads

Hello dear friends,
I truly hope this finds you well!
To be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to post anything due to the heartbreaking events currently happening in Ukraine. Then, I got a few messages asking when I'd be posting next, because my videos bring them comfort. That's when I was reminded of what I always wanted my channel to be, which is a safe space for you and I to go to feel comforted and at peace.
Right now, it feels as if there is a great lack of peace in the world, so I hope this simple little vlog can bring you a bit of that peace and light back to you!
Although we've been through many storms, remember that we've been through them together!
My thoughts are with you all, and I hope you're okay!
Sending you my love, care, and support,
Carolyn (& Willow)
Videos mentioned -
Russian lit. TBR for 2022 - • Russian Lit. TBR *2022...
Book Shelf Tour playlist - kzbin.info?list...
***Pao’s Art Nook on Etsy - etsy.me/3j6zJ3p
***My Etsy Shop!!! (most are sold out, but more are on the way) - www.etsy.com/shop/CarolynMari...
My Social Media: CarolynMarieReads
***My Website/Portfolio - carolyncastagnaart.wixsite.co...
***Art/Book Instagram - / carolynmariereads
***GoodReads - / carolynmariereads
***Business inquiries: [e-mail]
***Want to write to me or send something?
Carolyn Castagna
P. O. Box 773
Greenlawn NY 11740
United States
**Please don't feel like you need to send me anything, but if you'd like to I would be honored!!!** :)
***About me -
I'm a freelance illustrator who recently graduated from college at the Fashion Institute of Technology with my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration with a minor in English/Writing.
My greatest passion in life is combining my two loves, literature and art!
Happy Reading :)
#readingvlog #bookhaul #recentreads

[@nikitadokukin1399]

Your channel is the last remaining stronghold of peacefulness in these turbulent times. Thank you for what you do. No to war !!!

[@olga_utkiina]

The degree of pain and shame I'm experiencing right now is unutterable. The very idea of being associated with those who commit such vicious crimes absolutely mortifies me. I know that a lot of Russians are shocked and horrified beyond any measure. Carolyn, thank you for your video. It really is comforting, especially now. 🙏 Culture is an inextinguishable conversation that we need so much.

[@ileanaaaaa]

I hope you know that most of the world doesn't blame Russians at all. My brother-in-law is from Moscow and I grew up with ballet teachers from St. Petersburg and Perm all my life. I know their families, some of their best friends or in-laws are from Ukraine and they are all terribly sad about this. The people are not represented by their government. People have never wanted war in history, it's only those few in power who unfortunately make the decision for everyone. Let us just hope for better times to come sooner rather than later.

[@dsalet1]

I hope Russians know that we don’t blame the ordinary citizens-we know this is Putin’s war.

[@EmmaSophieChannel]

We love you! This is scary for Russians as well, Putin chose this on his own. So much strength to you and your family💗

[@olga_utkiina]

@@EmmaSophieChannel Thank you! You can't imagine how deeply appreciated your words are ❤️.

[@EmmaSophieChannel]

@@olga_utkiina ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@polina5520]

Thank you for speaking about the situation in Ukraine and offering comfort in such awful times! I’m so ashamed of what my country is doing but it feels like I can do nothing to help… it’s like a bad dream or a sleep paralysis. Life will never be the same but your videos make me believe in some sort of normalcy and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

[@josephcossey1811]

French philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662) famously said that "all of humanity's problems stem from mans inability to sit quietly in a room alone..." to which Oscar Wilde added 2 words, "reading Chekhov"!

[@giusleao]

I’m not the kind of person who leaves lots of comments but your channel is literally a safe space for me. you’re so calm and your love for literature inspires me so much. I can’t even tell how many times I watched your vlogs before I go to bed or when I can’t read but want to. It feels like a company to me. This whole thing with Ukraine and Russia is tragic and I feel sad for that. Besides that, the admissions for college in my country just happened and i didn’t got into the course i wanted. So thank you so much for uploading this vlog 🥰

[@kyestrella]

couldn’t agree more! but i also am sending the best to you, and even though you didn’t into the course, i hope all goes well in the end!!! 🤍♥️

[@giusleao]

@@kyestrella thank u so much 💕

[@to.ynotdfauhn5399]

I have been feeling extremely sad and almost had a panic attack today and yesterday but i have been watching your videos and some kdramas and both are so magnetically comforting and wholesome and NEEDED in times like this. I am not from Europe so i cannot imagine what it feels like right now to be there... So i hope, with my whole being that everyone in there can find peace and love and light in any way possible... Maybe with people like you Carolyn and you soothing voice and company, even if it's just online or by the phone. Love to everyone and let's prepare for all the bad things that are happening to end Soon. 🌻💛🧡

[@algorithmimplementer415]

Thank you Carolyn for this video. Being as enthusiast of Russian literature like you, I can relate to what you are feeling about the current situation. Interesting I am reading now Master and Margarita which is giving me a bit of comfort. In fact, I wanted to make a visit to Moscow in a couple of months, but no I see no hope of that. I really hope that all of us understand that people who lead a normal usual life are more courageous and brave than the people who go after power to rule over others.

[@sitting_nut]

here are some facts for those who hypocritically moralize against russia. especially those from western countries (who have been willfully ignoring the fact usa and nato is conducting multiple wars killing, bombing, occupying , looting all over the world ). ukraine regime was installed by a usa backed coup in 2014. and employs neonazis, was attacking russian speakers for 8 years, with 11000+ confirmed(by ocse) killed by ukraine, and wanted to join nato, usa's preferred instrument for killing and looting countries. these are verifiable facts. and it is a fact, that in this century, usa led oligarchic regimes, have killed millions, in multiple wars to loot resources (that is more than any other current regime). russia is not going to let itself be looted. period. fact that all that went before russia entered ukraine last week, was largely ignored in western media is not an excuse to suddenly adapt western media narrative. that make those who do that, manipulated parrots of propaganda.

[@fashionandbeauty07]

Yes, upload your P.O. mail! 😭💕📚

[@asteroefstathiou5407]

So sad with what happens around us. So sad to see children saying “i dont want to die”...so so sad! Thank you Carolyn for talking about this situation as most youtubers act as this is not happenning...

[@gym24r79]

The value of surrounding yourself with positive people is not what you got from them, but how good a person you have become because of them, and you have made my day Carolyn. Literature is the story of human beings, if there is no literature their is no history, no records and no stories.

[@lilaccottage]

Love the video as always😊. I recently came across a blog post that recommended The Makioka Sisters for lovers of Little Women. As Little Women is my all-time favorite book, I am excited to get my hands on The Makioka Sisters at some point. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on it. Also, I love watching videos of people opening book mail. It's almost like Christmas all year round. It brings me so much joy to see others receive gifts that bring joy to them.

[@clairebott1539]

Hi Carolyn, I absolutely love your unboxing videos, they are like little Christmases 🎄 dotted through the year. A little happiness spot in my day. Lv Claire Bott 🥰🥰🥰

[@parvathisasi]

This world would be a much better place if we had more people like you in it Carolyn! Sending you lots of love! I wish we would wake up from this like it was a bad nightmare. No one needs any more suffering; we are already in the middle of so much. Thank you for this video 🖤

[@tanyaelle9509]

Thank you for this ❤️ I love your vlogs so much

[@emmavd]

The Possessed is great! I laughed my way through it many years ago and can only warmly recommend it to you. The Makioka Sisters is a masterpiece. Tanizaki wrote also In Praise of Shadows about Japanese vs Western esthetics. I found it helpful to understand the description of Japanese interiors in any Japanese literary work. The Leopard is another fantastic work! I’m sure you would also enjoy Luchino Visconti’s film with Burt Lancaster in the title role, Claudia Cardinale and Alain Delon. You see the book literally coming to life. Carolyn, you are indeed blessed with awfully nice channel subscribers😊

[@iambookmadtube]

You are a ray of sunshine and your videos bring me so much comfort - thank you for posting

[@josephwilson-doan4163]

Love your vlogs! Thanks bunches!!

[@kiara8056]

Love the vlog! You are such a comfort and this video has easily accomplished your goal💕

[@mayral7230]

Yes, I love watching you open your mail! You are so sweet and thankful about it, it warms my heart

[@subtlefire7256]

Absolutely yes to the unboxings!

[@ileanaaaaa]

Thank you Carolyn for this lovely video and for making a piece of the internet a brighter place

[@betinaceciliafeld9854]

That intro made me teary eyed 🙏🏻 Thank you for the upload, your videos are always comforting.

[@adrienne4028]

Great video. Yes to seeing more of your mail.

[@atotallyhumanbeing]

Just wanted to say thank you for being a safe space for so many of us, especially right now. Your videos are amazing, your personality is incredible - and you've given me back my excitement for classics. Thank you so much, I hope you're doing well!

[@kathale967]

Thank you so much for this Carolyn! I just started my third year of law and it has been so hectic already! I really needed a Carolyn Marie vlog

[@cindyurban150]

Hi Carolyn, I love the pictures you took from the ice storm,they are so magical. Your videos are very comforting,and soothing. Happiness, Cindy

[@baxtermaxtor]

Gogol was Ukranian. Learned that yesterday...keep up the cozy videos!

[@4shanna]

Just ordered my own copy of Chekhov’s plays ♥️ thanks for the inspo! I recently watched the movie ‘Drive My Car’ where the main protagonist adapts Uncle Vanya into many languages and stages it for a live audience in Hiroshima. Not to spoil too much in the movie, but he practices his part as Vanya by playing back a tape of the lines while he drives his car! You should watch it after you’ve read Uncle Vanya 💌

[@moniqueheubel8970]

I wish you would consider reading the Count of Monte Cristo. I would love to use your annotation system and read along with you. I love the way you break classic down and pay attention to the details and facets of these great classics. It would be fun to have a book club where you do a zoom and interact together.

[@Alittlefruitgoesalongway]

I loved that book so much. Such a good revenge story! Very satisfying to read even though I know revenge won't actually solve anything 😂

[@moniqueheubel8970]

@@Alittlefruitgoesalongway which translation did you use?

[@Alittlefruitgoesalongway]

@@moniqueheubel8970 The one I read wasnt anything special. Just an older Barnes and Noble classics edition. It was several years ago now but I still have it, it says it was by an anonymous translator and it's abridged. Between 500-600 pages long. I'll have to read it again sometime in a non abridged version to see whats different, and also because its been so long. If you have any version recommendations let me know!

[@moniqueheubel8970]

@@Alittlefruitgoesalongway the one that people seem to love is Robin Buss. My father spoke 7 languages and said that the translation should be lively. I hope we can get Carolyn to read this as well!

[@ASMRaphael]

Absolutely wonderful video :) I loved it to absolute bits :)

[@doowopshopgal]

We love you so much you deserve everything good !!!!!

[@roygrob1137]

I loved watching your excitement as you opened your packages. Please continue to do so as you receive more. I am happy that I introduced you to Tanizaki and hope that you enjoy Radishchev.

[@creationspast.janebowell1903]

Lovely vlog , thank you and please keep going. I am a huge reader and fan of Russian literature that I studied at university many years ago .I have recently reread Chekhov all this has nothing to do with the classics or any other joyful literature ;) I love unboxings ! Dickens I do one every three months about to start Great Expectations.

[@Sofia-um8jy]

The Leopard is one of my favourite novels of all time. You'll love it so much 🤍

[@donkap8689]

Hi. You will love The Makioka sisters. I loved it. The book is georgeous.

[@saragutii]

I feel safe in your channel, thank you

[@myrarucker7953]

Just found you!! I totally enjoyed it!!

[@annachngryan235]

Hi Carolyn!!! Mariam Petrosyan is an Armenian author, her book is considered a pure pure puure masterpiece in Armenia and Russia. If u still didn't, absolutely read that book. P.S. I just came across your channel, a month ago, still watching your videos one after another. Thank u for great content!

[@user-tm3hc1hx3r]

I love seeing people open their mail 😂 maybe I’m just nosey but I find it so interesting 😂

[@josephcossey1811]

My two favourite stage directions are from Peter Schaffer's play "The Royal Hunt Of The Sun" - "the men climb the Andes" - (not easy to do in a theatre!), and Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" - "exit, pursued by a bear"!

[@EmmaSophieChannel]

Carolyn!! I just finished the audiobook of Meet Me in the Margins, a romance book inspired by You've Got Mail and as a fellow lover of that movie I think you'd really enjoy it as well!! Also I love seeing you unpack presents :) This is such a sweet little community!💗

[@jannickehansen5645]

Thank you for a lovely video :) It kept me company during my illustration deadline

[@gammaanteria]

Tanizaki is terrific..."The Makioka Sisters" is a great novel!

[@davidsigler9690]

He was a great short story writer, my favorite Russian author.

[@martasgreatlibrary]

what's going on in the world is awful...all my prayers to everyone suffering because of it you need to read uncle vanhya by chekhov! i went to see a performance of it last month and it is sooo good! there is a character who loves and expresses his love for nature and that i think you'll love. i also saw the three sisters a few months ago and it was also amazing! still need to read it though! i own a copy of the grey house! it sounds soooo fascinating

[@ayahramy]

Ahhh I miss your vlogs!

[@chelleandpoppy6379]

I think the beginning of Barnaby Rudge is supposed to be slightly confusing (at least, I had the same thoughts as you!), but the further I get in, the more pieces are starting to click together! I think that I am going to start listening to some on audiobook because it is a long one!

[@theodorapantelich2535]

Another marvellous video! Thank you so much for creating beautiful content and bringing us so much joy. I was wondering - is there a chance that Chekhov might be added to the On The Page series one day? And also, where do you get those amazing washi tapes? I love them so much!

[@theodorapantelich2535]

And yesss I love unboxing videos on booktube channels! I always find so many cool new books to add to my tbr

[@vp8671]

your videos give me so much inspiration and make me so calm

[@user-xl5yf5yb5b]

Sorry for my English. I just started learning English and use Google translator. I see you like Chekhov. Then you must like the writer Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin. He wrote small stories. But they are very, very strong. For example, Coward, 4 days, Red Flower. His biography is very tragic.

[@lydia3328]

Unexpected 50mins but…. Hooray!!!!!!!!!hhhhhhhhhh

[@neverbored]

Thank you for this peaceful amazing video 🇺🇦♥️🇷🇺

[@nikkivenable3700]

Please go watch a Russian Ark(here on YT). What an incredibly moving and visually stunning movie about 300 years of Russian history. It was shot in the Winter Palace(soooooo gorgeous) and it is seen through the eyes of a ghost. Strange premise, but trust me it’s unforgettable. The music is perfection, as well.

[@curtwild86]

I live in Poland and we a have huge number of war refugees from Ukraine. I am so so sad for Ukrainians and so scared that we could be next that it's hard to do anything... :(

[@sitting_nut]

did you think that when regime in poland helped usa loot iraq and afghanistan while killing people. did you oppose your regime's preventing of refugees from those counties entering poland?

[@curtwild86]

@@sitting_nut Yes I did.

[@sitting_nut]

@@curtwild86 good for you if you actually did it and not just claiming it. i asked because it is a fact vast majority of your fellow countrymen didn't .

[@curtwild86]

@@sitting_nut You are absolutely right, they didnt want them because of their skin color and because they were mostly men. I find it outrageous.

[@bernardt874]

`Platonov is a recommended Chekov play. Just that it is not always in the penguin classic books. anyway it has comedy mixed with some sort of morality.......my first play was the cherry orchard on the radio and it was a tragic sound the.....is all i remember. Platonov is better watched. the cherry orchard better listened too

[@peterconetta399]

Many years ago I saw a staging of this play in an off-off Broadway production. The actors and direction were excellent but the story and mood of the play I thought was depressing. I'm just not a great fan of Russian lit. Stay well. Thanks.

[@josephcossey1811]

I suspect that in the near future you will be receiving items in your P.O. box addressed to "Enchantress My Dream"!

[@MartinDSmith]

I think Willow got upset at the mention of a leopard.The icicles were captivating.Unfortunately,some people's hearts are frozen,be they leaders of powerful nations or bullies in the school playground.

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia canada 🇨🇦👍👋♥️🌎 Faber Castells are on sale 20%off at my local artist supply planning what else to purchase....my hands are itching with excitement ♥️♥️♥️ my recommendation please read Marie Benedict - The Only Woman in the Room, ww2, page turner intriguing hard to put down. Have read all of her others. Just starting her latest, Her Hidden Genius. I am sure I will love it.

[@Inna-iv1tx]

I'm from Russia. I don't know personally any of Russian who wants to suffer other people around the world. We are ordinary people, we are not envadors or warriors. We love books, sun, earth and our relatives like you. All that I know that I live in fear all my life, I remember too clear my mother's tears when she couldn't buy bread for us, me and my brother, her children. I remember all crises in our country too well. We've tired from it. I can't abandon my kids and go to protest and be arrested. I don't want to suffer anyone.

[@annaberg7328]

[@Inna-iv1tx]

@@annaberg7328 thank you! Wish you all the best.

[@rabello4535]

Инна, I started learning Russian last fall after watching some people with channels showing life in Russia. I was a Cold War kid in the 80s and was fascinated by Russia and it’s culture. I learned as you said, we are all people. We all love Винни-пух! I am hurting for the people of Ukraine, but also the people in Russia who have no choice in this and are also having their lives destroyed. It is easy to tell people what they should do when you aren’t the one being arrested and jailed. Мир и утешение вам и вашим. I hope that is correct. 😊

[@compulsive_experience]

@@rabello4535 Thank you for this words ❤🕊

[@Inna-iv1tx]

@@rabello4535 thank you very much for your kind words, for your attention. It's very uncommonly your interest to Russia and Russian language, and it's so nice. I wish you only the best, and more people like you in the world! Honestly, emotions are more deep from your answer than I could type here.

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hi

[@mononoke8015]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰📚📚📚📚📚📚

[@Bob-tu9jq]

war and peace, oh man...

[@ba-gg6jo]

Please keep posting, Russian literature is a thing of beauty so far removed from the crimes of this vertically challenged sociopath.

[@sitting_nut]

here are some facts for those who hypocritically moralize against russia. especially those from western countries (who have been willfully ignoring the fact usa and nato is conducting multiple wars killing, bombing, occupying , looting all over the world ). ukraine regime was installed by a usa backed coup in 2014. and employs neonazis, was attacking russian speakers for 8 years, with 11000+ confirmed(by ocse) killed by ukraine, and wanted to join nato, usa's preferred instrument for killing and looting countries. these are verifiable facts. and it is a fact, that in this century, usa led oligarchic regimes, have killed millions, in multiple wars to loot resources (that is more than any other current regime). russia is not going to let itself be looted. period. fact that all that went before russia entered ukraine last week, was largely ignored in western media is not an excuse to suddenly adapt western media narrative. that make those who do that, manipulated parrots of propaganda.

[@ktheodor3968]

Russia! Superb literature. Great people. Utter rubbish leadership in that country right now...to put it mildly.

[@sitting_nut]

here are some facts for those who hypocritically moralize against russia. especially those from western countries (who have been willfully ignoring the fact usa and nato is conducting multiple wars killing, bombing, occupying , looting all over the world ). ukraine regime was installed by a usa backed coup in 2014. and employs neonazis, was attacking russian speakers for 8 years, with 11000+ confirmed(by ocse) killed by ukraine, and wanted to join nato, usa's preferred instrument for killing and looting countries. these are verifiable facts. and it is a fact, that in this century, usa led oligarchic regimes, have killed millions, in multiple wars to loot resources (that is more than any other current regime). russia is not going to let itself be looted. period. fact that all that went before russia entered ukraine last week, was largely ignored in western media is not an excuse to suddenly adapt western media narrative. that make those who do that, manipulated parrots of propaganda.

[@ktheodor3968]

@@sitting_nut OK. I take it you are standing up for Vlad Putin, sitting nut. By the way, I never did say a bad word against the people of Russia. On the contrary. Read my post. Also, from where I am standing, sitting nut, I am not exactly seeing them, the Russian people, have a jolly time with Vlad and friends in charge... just sayin'

[@sitting_nut]

@@ktheodor3968 did i say you said "a bad word against the people of russia" you are free to read my comment and confirm i didn't accuse you of that. i was pointing out verifiable facts which some moralizing hypocrites in west are ignoring as they parrot their regimes' propaganda. are you one such ? is that why you picked that strawman about "bad word"? btw i am not from russia. don't be so prejudiced

[@ktheodor3968]

@@sitting_nut sitting nut you posted to me: "here are some facts for those who hypocritically moralize against Russia". I but I did not, in the first instance, moralise against Russia. Yet this is precisely what you claim I did. I suppose you are entirely free, sitting nut, to read my posts as you wish.

[@nikkivenable3700]

Russia is taking advantage of a weak America. Going forward, we must vote for those who will keep us out of wars and who want peace. Elections have consequences. Carolyn, you are a delight. You talking about Russian lit makes every day better.

[@nikkivenable3700]

Im a public policy analyst here in America and so I have some insight as to what’s going on. If you need some insight, I hope you’ll read my comment. I adore Russia and its music, literature, culture and people….and that’s why I LOVE this channel. Carolyn loves its literature as much as I do. The Russians deeply love their country as I do mine…America. They are very nationalistic and will fight anyone who dares invade. Ukrainians are the same way. They have been embroiled in war for decades; incursions etc. it’s all very complicated. Putin is taking advantage of a very weak America. When America is weak, bad things happen in our country but esp the rest of the world…the domino effect is very real and scary. Many countries depend on America for their defense etc and when we have weak leadership, everyone suffers and we see that playing out now! It’s awful. To all of us who worry about what is going on….you can make a difference; get as educated as possible and be careful who you vote for. This last election brought us so much pain, economically(for sure) but also just look at what’s happening in Ukraine and soon to be Taiwan and the Balkans. It’s been a disaster. As Americans we must vote carefully because elections have consequences. Also, Robert Frost once said that they thing about life is that is just goes on and on. He’s right. We will survive this because we are the greatest nation on earth(but with awful politicians!). Try to go about your life as best you can because we aren’t guaranteed another moment; time is basically an illusion. We must get involved in politics, study, and vote for good people. We turn all this around with God at our center and bad politicians out of office. The awful thing about war is the best of us die while the worst of us(the elites, politicians)get rich. This is true in every war. Better days are ahead.

[@adrienne4028]

You are right elections do have consequences. The last president wanted to be just like Putin. Thank God we now have a strong president who is stand strong against Putin's regime.

[@ReadwithStefani]

As someone from the Balkans, let me tell you that your comment is not at all enlightening like you’re trying to come across. GreaTest nation on earth .. 😖

[@lydia1203]

of course you'll survive it, it isn't happening to you.

[@sitting_nut]

here are some facts for those who hypocritically moralize against russia. especially those from western countries (who have been willfully ignoring the fact usa and nato is conducting multiple wars killing, bombing, occupying , looting all over the world ). ukraine regime was installed by a usa backed coup in 2014. and employs neonazis, was attacking russian speakers for 8 years, with 11000+ confirmed(by ocse) killed by ukraine, and wanted to join nato, usa's preferred instrument for killing and looting countries. these are verifiable facts. and it is a fact, that in this century, usa led oligarchic regimes, have killed millions, in multiple wars to loot resources (that is more than any other current regime). russia is not going to let itself be looted. period. fact that all that went before russia entered ukraine last week, was largely ignored in western media is not an excuse to suddenly adapt western media narrative. that make those who do that, manipulated parrots of propaganda.

[@sitting_nut]

here are some facts for those who hypocritically moralize against russia. especially those from western countries (who have been willfully ignoring the fact usa and nato is conducting multiple wars killing, bombing, occupying , looting all over the world ). ukraine regime was installed by a usa backed coup in 2014. and employs neonazis, was attacking russian speakers for 8 years, with 11000+ confirmed(by ocse) killed by ukraine, and wanted to join nato, usa's preferred instrument for killing and looting countries. these are verifiable facts. and it is a fact, that in this century, usa led oligarchic regimes, have killed millions, in multiple wars to loot resources (that is more than any other current regime). russia is not going to let itself be looted. period. fact that all that went before russia entered ukraine last week, was largely ignored in western media is not an excuse to suddenly adapt western media narrative. that make those who do that, manipulated parrots of propaganda.

[@DressyCrooner]

Ah, a tankie spreading fascist propaganda on what should be a lovely channel about books and culture, and defending Russia's imperialist invasion of an innocent country.

[@slavabart7845]

Tanizaki has a famous essay on visual aesthetics you might like, called In Praise of Shadows. Japanese culture is fascinating. I feel great respect for the Japanese for their cultural accomplishments - they are some of the richest in the world. Whoever sent you Tanizaki made an interesting choice and it would be great to see you talk about him. I was actually thinking of sending you something Japanese - Basho's classic The Narrow Road to the Deep North. But then I opted in favor of something Russian, though you will find, once it arrives, that this Russia was a great Japanophile. Many Russians are, actually. I know a few people in Japan, and one of them is a nihonga painter. Her name is Kyoko Nakamura. She isn't famous, but her work is lovely and very interesting. You can see samples of it on her website(s). She likes to combine traditional Japanese and western subject matter, creating hybrid worlds. She also likes to combine close, naturalistic observations of nature with subtle irrealism. One example is a long scroll called Sawachi De Moby Dick. There is a video here kzbin.info/door/OxgCJwk30cQubG0T-XtxKQ Thanks for the unboxing. I'm not sure how to transliterate Petrosyan. That -yan is not two sounds, not i-a-n, but a single, brief soft -jan. ;)