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Fascinating. Is that Salon article even remotely accessible to a non-Russian (speaker)? It makes fairly subtle references to writers non-Russians have likely ne
by gcv 13y ago
Fascinating. Is that Salon article even remotely accessible to a non-Russian (speaker)? It makes fairly subtle references to writers non-Russians have likely never heard of (the brothers Strugatskie, Lev Gumilev, Griboedov), and so builds a large argument which can come across as vapid and pretentious. I'm not necessarily saying it is, but I got most of the references and thought the author went a little too far. The comments are rather less charitable, and point out a few factual errors (e.g.: currency at Bree — silver pennies, explicitly mentioned by JRRT; the weakness of sequels — what about Huck Finn?).
- wfn 13y ago> It makes fairly subtle references to writers non-Russians have likely never heard of (the brothers Strugatskie, Lev Gumilev, Griboedov), and so builds a large argument which can come across as vapid and pretentious. fwiw, I don't speak Russian, but I've read 'Roadside Picnic' (and am somewhat familiar with what else they wrote), know of Griboyedov, etc. I'm sure I've missed many references and nuances, but the article did deliver a consistent overall message/point to me. > I got most of the references and thought the author went a little too far. I probably agree, it went a bit over the top, but knowing where he's coming from (i.e.: I understand his defensiveness), it was OK for me. Some of the references to lore/history/etc were.. more 'cute' than argument-building. :)