Tuesday 10 December 2013

Russian Literature Challenge 2014

O at Behold the Stars came up with the wonderful idea of a Russian Literature challenge for 2014!



Everyone is probably wondering why on earth would I join another challenge?  I was wondering the same thing, but his one is too good to pass up.  I have been making my way through the Russian literary greats but much too slowly, and this challenge will help me focus and give me connection with friends who are doing the same thing as I.  What better reason to join?

The requirements are as follows:

Because this is a classics blog, I would limit it to classic literature. It can be a novel by a Russian author or a novel set in Russia, and how you choose to define "classic" is up to you. And, of course, you can use books from any other challenge you've set yourself. Finally, you can list list your books before you start, or, like me, you can just explore and read whatever comes your way.

There are four levels:
  • Level one: 1 - 3 books
  • Level two: 4 - 6 books
  • Level three: 7 - 12 books
  • Level four: 12 + books
If there's enough interest, I'll put a post up each quarter for people to link any posts may have written.

So, if you want to join in, write a post on your own blog writing your intentions, then leave me a comment so I know to read it.


I am going to go completely against my nature and be conservative, aiming for Level One.

1.  Eugene Onegin - Alexander Pushkin

2.  The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

3.  Doctor Zhivago - Boris Pasternak

4.  War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

5.  Fathers and Sons - Ivan Turgenev


The Eugene Onegin Read-Along will soon give me my first Russian book for the year.

Best of luck with the challenge, everyone!  And thanks to O for creating it!



9 comments:

  1. No problem, glad you're joining in! I think Eugene Onegin will by my first as well :)

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    1. I'm actually getting very excited about this challenge. And The Russian Thinkers book that Tom recommended on your blog looks excellent. I just might reach Level 2 with this challenge; one never knows!

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  2. I'm finding this one too good to pass up too--especially since I've--gasp--never read anything by a Russian author. Time to remedy that. Hopefully we'll all have fun and success!

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    1. Oh yay! So glad you're joining, Amanda! I've found the Russians writers take a little adjusting to, but once you're in, you're hooked! I'll be looking to see which classic you choose!

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    2. Hi Amanda - nice to see you join in, Cleopatra is a bad influence for talking people into challenges ;) (I say that as I talk her into just as many things.)

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  3. Yet again, she talks me into a challenge ;)

    Here is my opening post.

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    1. Oh, good! I'm glad to see I can be just as bad an influence as you! ;-)

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  4. I know I'm late in starting but I just discovered you and would dearly love to join the challenge as well. http://chapterofdreams.com/?p=7292

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    1. Oh yay, Mikela! So glad you are joining in! I've only read Eugene Onegin so far but I started on The Idiot (Dostoyevsky) a couple of days ago and am really enjoying it! I will check out your post.

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