Historical Fictionistas discussion

Does anyone know any good books set in Russia/Siberia? Preferably NOT having to do with war. Subject matter can be anything from fantasy elements to LGBT.

Do you have any time preferences? Medieval, or more like 18th-19thC?

I haven't read it yet, but have you tried The Russian Concubine? There is also The Red Scarf by the same author. It takes place in Siberia.

The Gulag Archipelago, 1918-1956: An Experiment in Literary Investigation, books I-II by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn is fascinating. Anything by Leo Tolstoy is amazing. Fyodor Dostoyevsky as well. Maxim Gorky and Nikolai Gogol are also excellent authors.

Readings in Russian Civilization, Volume 1: Russia Before Peter the Great, 900-1700
Readings in Russian Civilization, Volume 2: Imperial Russia, 1700-1917
Readings in Russian Civilization, Volume 3: Soviet Russia, 1917-1963
also have some interesting material in them.

For more modern fiction, with a fantasy spin, check out Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko -- there was also a movie made of it a few years ago.

Bryn wrote: "Do you have any time preferences? Medieval, or more like 18th-19thC?"

Hmm...I'd say around the 1800s. :)

Olga's Story: Three Continents, Two World Wars and Revolution--One Woman's Epic Journey Through the Twentieth Century is extremely good!

Nerdie wrote: "Does anyone know any good books set in Russia/Siberia? Preferably NOT having to do with war. Subject matter can be anything from fantasy elements to LGBT."

If you like fantasy by
Mercedes Lackey is a fairy tale retelling.

"The Russian Concubine" and "The Red Scarf" are both set around the time of the Russian Revolution, I believe—not the 1800s. The Erast Fandorin books are 1800s, but not set in Siberia. Boris Akunin's Sister Pelagia mysteries might be a better fit. They are set in the Volga region, at least, on the edge of Siberia. I think the first one is Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog.

If you are not set on the 1800s, one classic option is Doctor Zhivago. There are many great novels about Russia in the 1800s, but few set in Siberia. One author I have always enjoyed is Constance Heaven. Her books are out of print now, but you can still find them secondhand.

And if you just want good, recent books set in Russia, you might try Russian Winter and/or The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great.

C.P. wrote: ""The Russian Concubine" and "The Red Scarf" are both set around the time of the Russian Revolution, I believe—not the 1800s. The Erast Fandorin books are 1800s, but not set in Siberia. Boris Akunin..."

Oh recent ones would be good, too. :) Not just set in the 1800s. I'll check these out. Thanks.

While not totally historical, I love Russka: The Novel of Russia by Edward Rutherfurd

For a novel set in Siberia, I'd suggest The People's Act of Love by James Meek The People's Act of Love but it's set in 1919 during the civil war. A great read, though.
If it's eroticism you want, you might like Russian Beauty by Victor Erofeyev, Russian Beauty described as 'sensational, erotic, intensely modern .. an important novel of post-Soveit literature'.

Hi Nerdie, 'Doctor Zhivago' by Boris Pasternak is a glorious book. There is conflict throughout, but so much more. Pasternak was a poet, and the writing is poetic in its quality. The movies barely reflect the intensity of the book.

"War and Peace" is worth reading too, but I would recommend skipping the long polemic passages. If you read it in the right circumstances you will find it a majestic book.

Jalilah wrote: "Nerdie wrote: "Does anyone know any good books set in Russia/Siberia? Preferably NOT having to do with war. Subject matter can be anything from fantasy elements to LGBT."

If you like fantasy [book..."

Hi Nerdie, I suggested the Firebird because you said you would not mind fantasy, but I have to agree that everyone should read something from Leo Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky at least once in their lives.
[book:Anna Karenina|15823480] is a good place to start. I have not read Maxim Gorky and Nikolai Gogol yet but want to.

I loved Sashenka by Simon Sebag Montefiore.
This novel is set during the revolution and the post-revolutions times, mainly. The first part is ok, but the second and the third are breathtaking.

If you want fantasy, then Gogol's Dead Souls & his short stories. Better still, anything by Bulgakov The Master and Margarita, Heart of a Dog. Fantastic!
aloso
The Bronze Horseman Paullina Simons is historical romance.

Oh yes, The Master and Margarita is a delightful political-satiric fantasy! :-)

How about something by Valentin Rasputin (No, not the mad monk!)
Mostly short stories admittedly.

Siberia, Siberia
Siberia on Fire: Stories and Essays
Money for Maria / Borrowed Time

The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean

The Mirrored World by Debra Dean

Anyone read Julian Berengaut's ;The Estate of Wormwood & Honey?

Helen Dunmore wrote two wonderful and evocative novels 'The Siege' and 'The Betrayal' that are set in Leningrad during WWII and the 1950s.
The Siege
The Betrayal

I'm currently reading C.P. Lesley's book,The Golden Lynx set in 16th century Russia.

For a sweeping epic which follows the fate of four families over centuries of Russian history there's Edwards Rutherford's Russka: The Novel of Russia.
I also love Helen Dunmore's work especially The Siege and the Betrayal- such an evocative writer.
On the subject of the siege of Leningrad there's Gillian Slovo's Ice RoadIce Road. As I'm fascinated by early Russian history, I'm going to put CP Lesley's The Golden Lynxon my To read list.

Thanks, Kristin and Marie! May you enjoy!

I liked Russka. It's compelling, despite covering such a long period—the best of Rutherford's novels, in my view. Not all his history is up to date, but it is all well researched, and he consulted the late, great Lindsey Hughes, among others.

By the way, War and Peace is amazingly readable, 1300+ pages or no. And Constance Garnett's translation is free....

What about jumping on the bandwagon with that young doctor's notebook programme that's on TV? That's a Russian book by a Russian author.

I've seen the advert a hundred times, and yet, the author's name escapes me...the shame!

War & Peace - must have read it umpteen times but still fresh each time But must admit I prefer Anna Karenina- one of the most magnificent heroines in literature (Tolstoy meant her to be an example to unfaithful wives but ended up loving her). I'm afraid Keira Knightley does not match my image of this tragic figure.
The diaries of Tolstoy's wife, long-suffering wife give a fascinating account of life withe a great master.

Marie wrote: "War & Peace - must have read it umpteen times but still fresh each time But must admit I prefer Anna Karenina- one of the most magnificent heroines in literature (Tolstoy meant her to be an example..."

Yes, agreed, totally! That also reminds me of another novel set in Russia that I liked: Lady of the Snakes, which is a fictional take on Leo and Sophia. The contemporary story annoyed me a bit, but the diaries of Masha (Sophia) were an absolute draw.

I've tried to sit through numerous film/tv adaptions of Anna Karenina to no avail. Orson Welles was tempted to do a version, so there must be something about it.

It seems on the surface a great story for film, I think: tragic love affair and all that. But the trouble with filming Tolstoy is that his plots tend to be very simple, and the richness comes from all the stuff that doesn't translate well to film: the philosophy, the descriptions, the intricate subplots that directors tend to strip out as distractions (which they are, if you need a tight screenplay that fits into two hours or less). What you end up with—even if it's perfectly cast, acted, and costumed—comes across as a pale reflection, even a collection of clichés.

You didn't so much take the words out of my mouth, C.P, but the thoughts out of my head, expressing them so much better. Perhaps that's why I'm reluctant to see the latest Anna Karenina on screen. I'm afraid that stick thin-Keira Knightley is not my idea of the voluptuous, spirited Anna. As for Vronsky ... well

Yes! to the Bulgakov suggestions - I loved his books. Also, "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch" is a book worth reading. And a "prehistory novel" called Reindeer Moon was a lot of fun. Not to say that I don't highly recommend the usuals, like "Crime and Punishment," "The Brothers Karamozov," "Anna Karenina," to name just a few. Oh, and there's also "And Quiet Flows the Don," a great read by Michael Sholokhov, and its sequel. Happy reading!

I liked them: Reindeer Moon and sequel The Animal Wife. Didn't have them down as Russian but I have no clear idea where they were set.

Yes, what Bryn said. I liked both Reindeer Moon and The Animal Wife, but I never thought of them as being set in Russia per se. The author, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, is (was?) a student of animal behavior. She also wrote The Tribe of Tiger and other nonfiction books about animals that clearly informed her fiction.

I agree, Marie. I just don't see Keira Knightley as Anna. Penelope Cruz could pull it off, I should think, or Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Don't get me started on Vronsky. I know he's supposed to be a pretty boy, but when Karenin seems more interesting than Vronsky, you got trouble!

I agree C.P. Have seen several versions of AK but not Keira Knightly. I just couldn't bring myself to see it. She is not Anna. I also agree with Bryn and C.P. Reindeer Moon and Animal Wife never struck me as Russian.

R.M.F wrote: "What about jumping on the bandwagon with that young doctor's notebook programme that's on TV? That's a Russian book by a Russian author.

I've seen the advert a hundred times, and yet, the author'..."


does anyone know what this is?

Kristin wrote: "I agree C.P. Have seen several versions of AK but not Keira Knightly. I just couldn't bring myself to see it. She is not Anna. I also agree with Bryn and C.P. Reindeer Moon and Animal Wife neve..."

P.S. This is our bad. I just repurchased The Animal Wife on Kindle, and the description clearly states "Siberia, 20,000 BC." Which, given the reality of Siberia, suggests that conditions in some places may have been not too different in 1500 AD, or even 1800 AD....

I'll add a plug for my own novel, "Confessions of the Creature", with a caveat. It's set in early 19th century Russia during the Napoleonic Wars, and does include graphic descriptions of battles.

Marie wrote: "You didn't so much take the words out of my mouth, C.P, but the thoughts out of my head, expressing them so much better. Perhaps that's why I'm reluctant to see the latest Anna Karenina on screen...."

Good point.

Charlotte Hobson's book is her account of her year in Voronezh, south of Moscow at the time of the break-up of the Soviet Union. Beginning in 1991, she vividly describes her life in a chaotic hostel, the characters she meets and her love affair with a young Russian.
Black Earth City: When Russia Ran Wild

C.P. wrote: "I agree, Marie. I just don't see Keira Knightley as Anna. Penelope Cruz could pull it off, I should think, or Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Don't get me started on Vronsky. I know he's supposed to be a pr..."

I recently blog posted on the subject: Anna Karenina on the Brain. ;)
http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

That's a really interesting post, Gary. V. succinct appraisal of the novel. There's so much in it a film can hardly do it justice but friends who have seen it have enjoyed it for what it is - a luscious spectacle set apparently in a theatre?
Will I be tempted.........

Marie wrote: "That's a really interesting post, Gary. V. succinct appraisal of the novel. There's so much in it a film can hardly do it justice but friends who have seen it have enjoyed it for what it is - a lu..."

Thanks, Marie. It's awfully hard to compress such a "Big" novel into a feature length film. In the final analysis, I think I could enjoy the new film, if I were willing to accept it on its own terms. I'll think about it. ;)

Jackie wrote: "I haven't read it yet, but have you tried The Russian Concubine? There is also The Red Scarf by the same author. It takes place in Siberia."

I can vouch for these. I really enjoyed both.

Kristin wrote: "Helen Dunmore wrote two wonderful and evocative novels 'The Siege' and 'The Betrayal' that are set in Leningrad during WWII and the 1950s.
The Siege
The Betrayal

These two novels were outstanding

Nerdie wrote: "Does anyone know any good books set in Russia/Siberia? Preferably NOT having to do with war. Subject matter can be anything from fantasy elements to LGBT."

Hi nerdie. I'm a fan of novels set in Russia - feel free to have a peek at my Russia shelf x

"Russian Winter" is one of the best books I've ever read

Travels in Siberia is great. Nonfiction but totally interesting.

Shadow and Bone is a YA fantasy based on Russia. Catherine Velentes Deathless and The Secret History of Moscow

Jennifer wrote: "Travels in Siberia is great. Nonfiction but totally interesting."

Or how about The Big Red Train Ride by Eric Newby about a trip on the Trans-Siberain Express in the late 70's. It's fascinating for all the minutiae of every day Soviet life.

I'm going to second the vote for Shadow and Bone, especially if you like fantasy. Personally, I don't but the story was just so well done and you really pick up on that Russian setting.

I loved both "The Russian Concubine" and "The Red Scarf" by Kate Furnivall but they do have war topics.