Russian Literature Haul & Shelf Tour!! // CarolinaMaryaReads // July 2021

[@vasilisashakurova743]

It’s so funny to me how often designers put a cat on the cover of “Master and Margarita”, despite the fact that it’s not about the cat. In fact the cat appears not very often. I think, it’s because cats are cute and it helps to sell the book😂😂😂 marketing strategy 10/10👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@richardcgs2001]

That is common in the English translations naturally meant for the Anglophone markets. The Russian version (Азбука Классика) that I have features a naked Margarita kneeling on what appears to be the head of a gargoyle with, putatively, the face of Woland))

[@marcelmysliwiec9013]

The Brothers Karamazov because of how its written isnt really that difficult to read and its probably my favourite novel of all times. Highly recommend it and I think that this is the one book by Dostoyevsky that can measure up to the epicness of War And Peace and Anna Karenina by Tolstoj. Good luck.

[@dilah1803]

I just started reading The brothers Karamazov and amazed how it flows. Hopefully I will love it as much as you do

[@snowyhut5205]

Devils matches also the epicness of War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Karamazov Brothers is my favorite novel by Dostoevsky too, but I admit that it has the inconvenience of being just the 1st of 2 books and the 2nd was never written. Devils is equally epic, deep and moving (way more tragic and Shakespearean) and is a stand alone :)

[@wlrlel]

I really think the Brothers Karamazov do rank even higher than Tolstoi.

[@aztre]

Which translated work did you all read? I'm so torn idk what to choose

[@maryrosenbergr7570]

I see Russian literature in the title I click 😌💖

[@femsfables]

I'm reading Anna Karenina next month for a read-along and I couldn't be more excited as it will be my first Russian classic! I love Russian history and am very much hoping I will love the literature as well (which I think I will haha). I really loved this video and all your other videos as well!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

So excited for you, and thank you so much!

[@lillieblack9702]

I took a Russian literature class a few years ago and this makes me want to revisit all of those books. I really enjoyed reading Gogol and Tolstoy. Your collection is so lovely!

[@juliehughes1258]

I know this was recorded two years ago, but yes, you are correct. Nicolas Pasternak Slater is Boris Pasternak's nephew. Also, your edition(s) of War and Peace are beautiful.

[@classicatheart5594]

I love Henrik Ibsen! I have all his works. “Et dukkehjem” (A doll’s house) is my favourite! Right now I am reading Anna Karenina after just having finished War and Peace in 13 days. Before that I haven’t really read anything in a while but after seeing your videos I again found my love and passion for books. Thank you 🙏

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That’s wonderful!!!

[@camillafladberg673]

It’s so great that you bought an Ibsen book. As a Norwegian I used to act his plays in school. That was so much fun😊. I broke a real cup playing in «the white horses». It was a big moment for me😂.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Oh wow 😂 that’s amazing!

[@nikkivenable3700]

I found a reader and creator who has all my sensibilities: loves Russian work(Classics and otherwise), loves Classics in general, loves Mary Oliver. I will watch this video over and over...and over. I just found your channel recently and am slowly making my way through your work. Because of this video, I ordered A Princess in Siberia and Eugene Onegin(I can't believe I haven't read it!!! I will remedy that soon enough) and I am off to watch Educating Rita...I watched the trailer just now and OMG I can't wait!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Awww this makes me so happy!!! Happy reading and watching!

[@ЛизаХ-л2г]

@@CarolynMarieReads I hope you will be interested to know that the title of Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace" in Russian has a double meaning: "War and Peace" and "War and World". At the same time, Lev Tolstoy himself had in mind the second meaning of the Russian word "Mir" - World.

[@eviebaker7274]

I can just tell from the intro that I’m going to love this video.

[@christbianchi]

So many beautiful Russian book covers!! Looking forward to your reading vlogs!! 😊

[@marionknell630]

A Russian shelf, what could be better....not much. I love this idea. I tend to group my books by edition, then author, then preference and sometimes subject eg nature or poetry. It's difficult to get your head around a whole other cultures timeline so this makes perfect sense...and enhances the understanding. I might have to steal it : )

[@milkawickramasinghe164]

I just can't explained how lovely and how wonderful and how much i have been needing this Russian lit vedio from you! Love this so much! 💕 💕 💕 💕 💕 💕 💕

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aww I’m so glad! 💕

[@neverbored]

In Russian you would pronounce Maria/Mariya as Mariy'a (emphasis on "iy" [ee]. It has a cute diminutive - Masha)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That’s so interesting! Thank you for letting me know! Masha is such a sweet diminutive!

[@liz-a_s]

Как же мне нравится вас слушать😍

[@tanniedavidson2514]

I'm new to your channel and I've been watching all of the earlier videos first. I lived in Florida for almost 6 years, recently moving back to Texas. I went to Sanibel many times while I was there. I was so distressed to learn of all of the damage after the recent hurricane. I didn't know about Gene's. I hope they weathered the storm ok.

[@Jane4077]

I was excited to see Henrik Ibsen, my absolute favorite of his is A Dolls House. The Princess of Siberia sounds amazing but did you realize you kept saying Serbia? That's a different country all together!!:)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Hahaha I only realized when someone else commented about it! I now feel very silly! 😂

[@jellybean19717]

This video made me so happy. Who doesn’t love looking at bookshelves and discussing books!

[@talithacosta6818]

I think I'll be rewatching this over and over again until you post another video ❤️ love it

[@bertybell4781]

Your bookshelves are so pretty and satisfying! 😁😁 this isn't a Russian classic but have you ever read the Count of Monte Cristo? I would love to hear your thoughts.😄 it might be my favorite book and I haven't heard many in depth thoughts from anywhere. Thanks.😉

[@tamzinlittle5295]

Tania from Bookish Topics has in depth videos on it!!!

[@bertybell4781]

@@tamzinlittle5295 could you send a link?

[@streetsympohny]

The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorite books. Love it so much❤️

[@bertybell4781]

@@streetsympohny it's pretty great.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

No, I actually haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my shelves! I’m so happy to hear you love it so much! I’ll definitely put it on my bookish priority list!

[@RocketRoketto]

you can say ''chuffed'' or ''chuffed to bits'' which also means excited

[@francescanestor8957]

Oh my gosh! I love Gene’s books! I’ve been going to Sanibel Island since I was a little kid. Such a great place. I hope you enjoyed your time! I’m going there in September and I’m so excited.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw Yayay!!! Isn’t it the best? I had the best and nerdiest time! 😂 I hope you have a great time when you go in September!!!

[@mattkean1128]

So looking forward to your Eugene Onegin video. I always like the designs of Pushkin Press, Alma, and others like Virago and Abacus. I have my eye out for an Ecco 13 volume set of Chekhov in the Constance Garnett translation with a great spine illustration. I was eyeing that two volume War and Peace of yours the whole time. My edition was picked up in a second hand store, first time reading it, but it was built almost like a bible, with gilded edges and printed in dual columns. In the superior Maude translation I was fortunate to find out after the fact. It was one of my favorite experiences. Notes from Underground is depressing lol, but incredibly relatable if you've ever felt isolated or lonely. This video could've been 3 hours!

[@nicholashill9302]

Really enjoyed A swim in a pond!!!

[@TheMasqerade]

This was such an amazing ride! I'm in love with your bookshelves, Carolina Marya!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank YOU! Ahhh yes, the cliffhanger!!

[@doowopshopgal]

She’s a doll, so bright and well versed. Her parents must be so proud.

[@theteapotreads]

Awh yeah I love Pushkin press editions! Glad you picked some up they’re so pretty

[@nicholashill9302]

Thanks for your enthusiasm

[@vasilisashakurova743]

Good luck with reading Gogol’s “Inspector”! There are probably the most difficult names from all Russian literature. Anton Antonovich Skvoznic-Dmukhanovsky, for example🥴

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank you for your good luck wishes! I will do my best with the pronunciations! 😂

[@edgarallanpoe209]

In its original language it’s not that bad. Its just the way it’s spelled in english 😭😭

[@ranya3827]

Looovveee this series

[@lettersfromkinraddie]

This series is amazing so far!! I'm loving hearing about Russian authors both classic and modern that aren't typically mentioned when talking about Russian literature!!

[@GabriellaAlodia]

chronological order is the besssttt!! i've got my whole shelf organised in chronological order, but watching your video makes me want to reorganise them not only in chronological order, but also by their specific country/origin. let's see if i've got 'enough' collection for each region and see if it will make sense in my shelf.........

[@CarolynMarieReads]

It is the best!!! I hope you have fun with your own reorganizing!!!

[@nancyabbott2660]

I just ordered 9 Penguin clothbound…6 Dickens which were on sale, plus Vanity Fair, Tess Of the D’Urbevilles and Les Mis. I got the Dickens set today and I love them. Thank you for introducing them to me! Les Mis is on back order.but will get in September…better on the budget lol

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That’s so exciting!!! Aren’t they absolutely beautiful?!!!!

[@nancyabbott2660]

@@CarolynMarieReads I love them and wasn’t aware until watching your video . And I can get so many of my favorites that will be in a matching set

[@snowyhut5205]

Does Eugene Onegin win over War and Peace? It does for me in many senses! Looking forwards for the vlog 😍

[@CarolynMarieReads]

It does for me in ways as well!

[@neverbored]

Soooo excited for these series!!!! You are amazing!!

[@RetratodaLeitora]

Absolutely loved the video! I'm building my russian literature shelf too 🖤🖤

[@camillafladberg673]

If you ever visit Norway, every year they have the «Peer Gynt» plays in open nature in a place called Gålå. It’s about four hours to drive from Oslo.

[@ReadingNymph]

You've got me intrested in reading Russian literature, I read Anna Karenina but I haven't read any others

[@idahyttebakk5031]

Peer Gynt is one of my all time favourite plays! I read the Norwegian edition and omg! the poetry is just stunning!

[@clairebott1539]

Hi Carolyn, do you know that there is are two suites of music to go with this play, it’s by Edvard Grieg. The CD is called Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Holdberg Suite. You probably already know that, but I thought I’d send it just in case you don’t. Two of my favourites are Morning and In the halls of the mountain king. I’m sure it’s on KZbin. I know you like to combine your artistic mediums 😂. Claire B 😊

[@ScullyPop]

I'm so glad the algorithm recommended you. I read Conrad's Heart of Darkness out loud on my channel.

[@tejaswinisparthasarathywrites]

As soon as I can go to a bookstore, I'm doing a complete classic book haul. Thanks to you and Emma I'm obsessed with Dickens and Tolstoy. I started reading Dickens. You guys have made me start Dickens when I couldn't do it for five years almost😂😂😂

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That’s amazing!!!

[@MartinDSmith]

Thank you for sharing,a lovely collection of books indeed!I can understand having a singular passion,as I had for the guitar throughout my life:with you it's Russian literature.A book I have to read is Natasha's Dance,a cultural history of Russia:have you heard of this book?

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I have heard of it! Sounds wonderful!

[@MartinDSmith]

@@CarolynMarieReads Looking forward to reading Eugene Onegin after my current reads ❤️

[@harryjamessmithmusic7762]

Great job, Carolyn!

[@hereandabout]

. did you mention Boris Pasternak ? i don't remember but i enjoyed reading the book with the title of the famous movie .

[@ooousuario]

Tatyana Tolstaya is NOT a descendant of Leo Tolstoy. She is a granddaughter of Aleksey Tolstoy who was also a writer

[@jenniferwatson1944]

I took a course in community college where we had to read One Day in the life of Ivan denisovich for required reading. As with practically all the books I had to read for required reading for school, I could not get into it. I would love to read it again though to give it a second chance.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That’s usually how I feel about books I read in school too! It’s definitely worth a reread!

[@richardcgs2001]

Impressive compact collection of Russian classics. Quite eclectic. Have all, in either Russian or English or both, except for the works of Nicholai Leskov, whose literary identity, until listening to your blog, was unfamiliar to me. Like you, I also enjoy the war genre and most appreciated your recommendations of Buzzati's The Tartar Steppe and Calvino's Into the War. Let me return the favor. Falling into that genre is Bulgakov's Белая Гвардия (White Guard). I highly recommend that book as well as the film adaptation (2012) that aired on Россия-1 TV channel. Just kindly correct your pronunciation of that great author's surname))

[@homeschooledaroundtheworld4660]

Can you do a bookshelf tour? Thank you for another wonderful video!!

[@neverbored]

I love how you mis-read Siberia for Serbia multiple times)) Also, I adore your videos!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I didn’t even realize! How silly of me! 😂

[@neverbored]

Carolyn, have you seen Andrew's Kaufman speech "Give War and Peace a chance", at the Hauenstein Center (its on KZbin). Love it and recommend it highly!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I haven’t actually, but I’ll definitely watch it!

[@ba-gg6jo]

Thank you, Inga, I am reading War and Peace for the third time ( yes I love it), and I look forward to seeing that speech.

[@ba-gg6jo]

Very thought provoking lecture, though already a big fan of Tolstoy I would say that wouldn't I?😂

[@sarahsperusals]

posted three seconds ago squad

[@algorithmimplementer415]

Nooo.. notes from the underground is a funny book. You would laugh and it’s just awesome, full of deep philosophy. I recommend also a stage performance of it, easily available in KZbin. Double I have not read yet.

[@pixieh.5597]

I highly recommend The Possessed, by Elif Batuman. She describes her adventures as an exchange literature student in Russia. She travels around visiting all the literary sights, like Tolstoy's house etc. Funny and informative. Nonfiction. Sort of.

[@george-fn6oc]

You should get Fathers and Sons by Turgenev!

[@alanthomas1627]

Chekhov! I am doing a deep dive into all his works. I recommend starting with Saunders’ book to introduce you to Chekhov. I am going through the book a second time; annotating with colored pencils. Note: Saunders’ book includes 3 Chekhov short stories that he likes: (a) In the Cart (b) The Darling, and (c) Gooseberries. The introduction is not long and will help orient you to what Saunders’ is up to You could wait to read the other stories as you choose. I listened to the audiobook read by Saunders, except for the stories themselves. The A-list performers do a marvelous job of bringing the stories to life. The following titles are on my in-progress (yes, all at the same time, depending on my mood): (a) “Anton Chekhov: Fifty-Two Stories” translated by P&V (Pevear and Volokhonsky), “Anton Chekov: The Complete Short Novels” includes five short masterpieces also P&V. The first one, “The Steppe” may be one of the very best short novels I have ever read! And finally, “Selected Short Stories of Anton Chekhov” translated by P&V. P&V have revived my interest in Russian novels that I read in the past. Notably, “War and Peace” and “Doctor Zhivago.” The P&V translations changed from suffering through War and Peace to adding it to my Lifetime Best Books list. The Dr Zhivago translation brought the book alive in so many ways and felt like an almost completely different book than in my first two readings of the book in the early 60s and later in the 90s. Keep up the good work on your vlogs/youtube channel. I have enjoyed your War & Peace vlogs and the debate with Emmma. You two are pushing Russian literature to the forefront of my lifelong learning projects that are captivating me in my retirement. Many thanks.

[@chiyapink7607]

I've read a lot of Ibsen's plays that I enjoyed, but Peer Gynt wasn't my cup of tea. I'd recommend starting with Hedda Gabler or Nora (Doll's House)

[@lorlacs611]

Love this video😍 your voice is relaxing

[@ShivangiBhasin]

Hey didn’t the same book (The Tartar Steppe) arrive at Emma’s PO Box too? By the same guy maybe?

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Yes it did! So kind of him!

[@christbianchi]

Thank you Carolyn! Yes, I thought they both might appericate it!

[@twicetakemymoney7674]

Hey carolina! I found that Pevear and Volokhonsky translations of Tolstoy’s works are the best (in my humble opinion). I’ve compared the Maude translation to Pevear and Volokhonsky’s, and found that P&V’s translation had a better flow and was more accessible to the modern reader. Though the Maude is better than Garnett’s, it’s structure and choice of words still tends to beat around the bush as to P&V which is forward but still poetically beautiful. ☺️

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I must say, I agree!

[@josealmeida76]

I'm waiting for your opinion on Gorki. Don't worry about me, I'm seated.

[@dailycarolina.]

Carolina is also the Spanish version and my middle name.

[@ooh29]

Beautiful hair!

[@juliehughes1258]

This is funny. I've always wanted to say the exact same thing but never have. Thanks @ooh29.

[@larrymarshall9454]

Carolyn, there is a BIG difference between "Serbia" (what you're saying) and "Siberia" (eg Princess of SIberia). The former is a country west of Romania while the later is part of Russia. Really loving your vlogs on Russian literature.

[@CiprianHanga]

Haha, logged in just to find this comment

[@ShivangiBhasin]

If you want to destroy your heart and soul, I recommend The Gulag Archipelago (all three volumes) by Solzhenitsyn. Greatest work of literature in my humble opinion, also the reason why he’s my hero :)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I love when books destroy my heart and soul, and yes, it’s in my list! Thank you for the recommendation!!

[@ShivangiBhasin]

You seem so pure and kind, I almost feel like a monster for recommending you these books but, honestly, it stands among the towering works from Russia, right there alongside Karamazov and War and Peace (which I’m yet to read)🌻

[@juliehughes1258]

I read the Solzhenitsyn books when I was first married, when they were first published. I was on a huge Russian literature mission, a real classics mission actually. I struggled with the names, as some posters have alluded to, but I found Russian literature so very different to what I had been reading all my life. BIG fan. This is an excellent video.

[@martasgreatlibrary]

sooo many books that sounds sooo good!!!!! i haven't read it but you should get generations of winter by vasili aksynov! it's supposed to be the war and peace of the soviet era and it sounds sooo good! it's also HUGE (+1000 pages)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I think it’s on my list, but I’ll double check! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@carbonc6065]

~Another great video!

[@jo-cs1bj]

YAYYYYY!!

[@Stanislove1994]

Hey! in your country do they sell collections of stories and novellas? In Russia we have many editions of complete or almost complete collected works of such authors as Tolstoy, Chekhov, Pushkin, etc (I'm talking about short prose)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Yes, we usually do, but it depends on the author! I typically can to buy them online, because most bookshops don’t carry them!

[@nikkivenable3700]

If anyone wants to start with Mary Oliver, read her poem, The Journey. You're welcome!

[@wlrlel]

It's so what you do here on KZbin! Btw, did you read Stendhals works? As you seem to like the great russian novels, Stendhal could be something for you

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I haven’t read Stendhal, but I’d love to! Do you have a recommendation as where I should start? :)

[@wlrlel]

@@CarolynMarieReads Of course, his two great novels "Le Rouge et le Noir" and "La Chartreuse de Parme". Before Dostojewski, there is probably no one who had such a psychological depth in his works as Stendhal!

[@bookoffholicbookwart5945]

This video is my favorite

[@nicholashill9302]

Basically a day in a gulag!!! Stayed with me for 50 years?

[@assafipoetry]

Hi, Carolyn. What As-Safi Octalogy by Shukur Tebuev (it’s my father) from Russia - the largest poetic work in the world written by one person 200K+ about? Best wishes, Khazrat Tebu

[@yulyalim5178]

Thank you very much for sharing with us your collection. On the one hand, I wouldn’t recommend you to rush into the Doctor Zhivago story, because it might be hard for those who is not familiar with the Russian history of the 20th century. But on the other hand, I would be happy to learn what you think about it. I read it in Russian, I understood the context, I enjoyed the language, however I disliked the book overall. I have an impression that the book got outdated very fast, and as for a contemporary reader I can’t accept some of the decisions the author made :( Anyways, I am looking forward to your Russian literature reviews :)

[@MaryAmongStories]

💚💚💚

[@milaces1323]

You should tell us your dad's first name so we can form your patronimic! That is the proper wat to adress people after all, name and patronimic 😊😊😊

[@CarolynMarieReads]

My dad’s first name is Albert, so would it be Carolinalbertevna?

[@milaces1323]

@@CarolynMarieReads Yes. You'd be Carolina Albertovna. When i was born given that my parents were foreigners they fought tooth and nail with the russian beaurocracy so i wouldn't have a patronimic and they won 😂😂😂

[@elenal7468]

I come from the South of Russia, and here are so many people with multicultural and multinational background that Carolina Albertovna sounds absolutely genuine and natural to us😊. I've had three Alberts among my students and know one Carolina🙂.

[@TashaKoss]

My husband's name is Pavel! 😂

[@jackjohnhameld6401]

Ezra Pound told Hemingway to get into what Ezra called 'the Rooshians' (see Hemingway's A Movable Feast). Pound was an odious anti-Semite and fascist, but that is no reason to cancel him, and in his old age he admitted to Allan Ginzburg that he had ruined his life with his toxic ideas. As for Russian classics I recommend *The Golovlyov Family* by Shchedrin : read it in the New York Review of Books edition because there is an introduction by James Wood, one of our best critics. Shchedrin (1826-1889) stands comparison with Gogol about whom Nabokov wrote so brilliantly: Nabokov's published lectures on Russian, French and English writers are essential as is Brian Boyd's two volume biography.

[@DaftR92]

BTW, it's Siberia not Serbia in the 'Princess of Siberia'.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Yes hahaha realized that after posting! 😂

[@DaftR92]

@@CarolynMarieReads It happens to the best of us. Loving the content, I’m similarly obsessed with the Russians (fuelled by watching you and Emma/ie), they have their own shelf now too! Definitely recommend the non-fiction ‘Natasha’s Dance’ by Orlando Figes.

[@HappyHeathen614]

You have more Russian books than I do! And I'm Russian lol. Also, side note, I live in a town where Lermontov was killed on a duel. Brilliant writer, horrid human being.

[@1siddynickhead]

Oh? How so?

[@HappyHeathen614]

@@1siddynickhead which part? Lol. Books? The classics were a mandatory read in high school and I ended up resenting most of them. I do love Anna Karenina and Master and Margarita though. And about Lermontov - he liked to torment people, he was a sarcastic manipulator and an overall a-hole.

[@1siddynickhead]

@@HappyHeathen614 oh I'm sorry, I should have clarified! I meant about Lermontov..that's really shocking to hear

[@yulyalim5178]

Пятигорск - красивый город ;)

[@HappyHeathen614]

@@yulyalim5178 Да, красивый, только сейчас очень жаркий. Сегодня +39°

[@divinedia]

Have you ever read French classics

[@Francisco-wu8xy]

I like chehov and Tolstoy. I wish you like korean literature.

[@god9687]

A dream my friend, is a….. Delirium hallucination But can one establish paradise? I don’t know Because I do not know how to put it into words And yet how simple it is in one day, in one hour everything could be fixed up at once. The main thing is to love others like yourself, that’s the chief thing, nothing else is wanted And then suddenly I fell asleep I dropped asleep unaware, and even seemed to be still reflecting on the same subjects So there is life beyond the grave It was a dream , they say delirium, hallucination. A dream. What is a dream? Isn’t our life a dream? Let it be a dream That real life of which you make so much I had meant to extinguish by suicide and my dream…. It revealed to me a different grand renewed life

[@michaelgarcia2973]

The only book i didnt care about was the gulag archipelago

[@divinedia]

Omg I thought you were British! Until I saw your bio po box

[@СинийИней-н9ч]

Чо лопочет непонятно..но что про книжки... Начитаная буквоедка)))

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hey

[@ivetavideva8665]

actually your name would be pronounced karolina mariia (with maria pronouned not hardering on the first vowel a, but the second one-i) :D

[@channelgames6849]

Не знаю, почему многим нравится литература

[@victorrossi2601]

Your pretty and smart your Boyfriend is a very lucky man

[@garay_riveros]

Yeah i like hands too, but mainly pale, long-fingered, silver-ring-bearing hands belonging to tiktok eboys