Russian Short Stories from Pushkin to Buida

Editor Robert Chandler contends that the short story in Russia is held in higher esteem than in many other literatures, seen often as the apotheosis of an author's talents. The collection opens with classics from greats such as Pushkin, Gogol (I particularly enjoyed "The Greatcoat"), Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. Certain themes across the centuries are inevitably recurrent, particularly the role of fate, the struggle against adversity, and how life can often be short, nasty and brutish. A history of warfare followed by the terror of Stalin/communism inevitably shapes the Weltanschauung of Russian authors. The collection is therefore not always easygoing and it is necessary to pause for breaks. On a relative basis there was more satisfaction to be had from the recent comparable collection from Penguin of Japanese authors. Among the more contemporary Russian names I enjoyed, Zoshchenko, Kharms and Buida particularly stood out. Not rated.

By Robert Chandler