منتخبات

by Konstantin Paustovsky, گامایون (Translator)

This selection was specially compiled by the author shortly before his death for publication in English.
The reader will also find an introduction entitled "Some Random Reflexions" written by Paustovsky, which appeared in the second collection of his works published in Russian (1967-69) in eight volumes.
Konstantin Paustovky's life (1892-1968) was a long and highly productive one. Over a period of some fifty years passionately devoted to literature this great Soviet writer produced many delightful works. His talent and profound humanism won him world-wide fame and popularity. Here are just a few of the remarks addressed to him by his friends and colleagues:
"A certain lady writer, one of our contemporaries, once told me: 'Without Paustovsky's books something would be missing. There may be other more talented writers, but I cannot think of anyone as conscientious as him.' This is why we have such great respect for you. It is why we revere our great predecessors, the writers of the last century: because of their love for their fellow men, their desire to help them, their understanding attitude towards mistakes, and the high demands which they made on themselves.'"
- Ilya Ehrenburg

"I think the public likes Paustovsky because he dispenses goodness so generously... One can fight for goodness in many ways. One way of serving it is by inculcating a sense of goodness in people. This is how Paustovsky serves it."
- Olga Berggolts

"Konstantin Paustovsky cannot possibly know all his discipleswriter I would be only too happy if my life and work could convey even a fraction of Paustovsky's great concern for his fellow man." - Vladimir Tendyrakov

Genres: Russia, Short Stories, Russian Literature, Fiction

335 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Konstantin Georgiyevich Paustovsky was a Russian Soviet writer nominated for the Nobel Prize for literature in 1965.

Reviews

[Utkarsh Sankhla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book while rummaging through the store room. My dad bought this in his younger years - at a time when Indo-USSR relationships were at their strongest and there was significant political, economical, military and cultural exchange between our countries.

And given Soviet Russia at that time, it's fascinating to just understand how such books came to be sold in Indian markets.Propaganda can be subtle too, and I dont necessarily see it as a bad thing. Just to be clear though, there is no doubt that Paustovsky wrote at a time when there was genuine wonder of the Soviet experiment and his depiction of his motherland is so affectionate, its almost lyrical.

I would have rated this book a 3/5, but for how the book was also personally well suited to my procilivities. I love simple writing that explores human nature, and also often seek books that are vividly descriptive of the geography they are set in. And this book ticked both boxes.

Each story felt like a time machine, taking me to Russia, Crimea, Georgia in the early 20th century. I found myself reading about the Colchis, Karelia, Chechnya after the stories. The stories describe the land so soothingly, it feels balm like. I think this was an ode to the surrealist movement in Russia at that time.

Another thing I admired is the nod made by the author and his characters to the greats: Pushkin, Tolstoi, Chekov, Gogol, Issac Levitan. The book pushed me to wikipedia each of them and their works.

After each story, I just had to stop reading for a bit so I could absorb all that the author was trying to say, and all that I was feeling as a consequence.

What I liked: All of the third person narratives - each of them powerful, evocative and yet grounded in simplicity. Each of the stories had multiple themes, presenting themselves to a reader. The central themes were to do with the simplicity and beauty of our human nature, the transcendence of that nature into a collective love and comradeship, which further aggregates into a fierce patriotism and love for the land one is born in.

What I didn't like: I did not enjoy any of the first person narratives. They were too mundane, devoid of any arc that could sustain interest. The sole exception was A Night in October, which was just passable.

[Adi · Rating 4 out of 5]

С финес и нежност Паустровски ме поведе на великолепно пътешествие из неговата руска земя. Усетих прекрасната магия на златните дни сред зеления широколистен лес. Бях омаяна от тишината сред вековните иглолистни гори, където сумракът властва дори по пладне. Търсихме малки, схлупени къщурки, скрити из дъбравите, където баби, живи сякаш от векове, ни разказваха стари приказки. Спокойствието и красотата на този свят, който е описан с толкова любов от автора, действително успя да докосне душата ми, и не исках да си тръгвам оттам.

[khashayar · Rating 2 out of 5]

منتخبات دارای دو تم اصلی هستند یا به انقلاب اکتبر مربوطند و یا به طبیعت روسیه. از آنجائی که نسبت به قهرمان های همه چیز تمام حساسیت دارم فقط بخش مربوط به طبیعت به نظرم جالب رسید. اگر از علاقمندان طبیعت گردی هستید این بخش را بدون تردید خواهید پسندید.