Larisa, I'm sorry I've taken so long to begin reading this fascinating memoir but glad I've finally gotten around to it. I'll have to work my way through from the start as I continue forward. I think you know what you offer here is personally meaningful to me. I have cousins who arrived in the U.S. in the 70s after not having followed my father and aunt decades earlier.
Among all the first-hand insights from your own life, the talk of Dovlatov took me by surprise. Sadly, so far, I have read only one work by him, a short story published in the New Yorker 35 or more years ago. I don't even recall the title or story particulars, but I remember one line offered by its narrator protagonist as perfectly capturing a mix of totalitarian and postmodern anomie. After some time vising at someone else's apartment, he says, "I left, or, rather, stayed." Brilliant.
Dovlatov, by the way, I've just read, is buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Queens, New York, where my paternal grandmother is buried in of the many large association plots of the cemetery -- the Kaminets-Podolier Ladies.
Better late than never- is a Russian saying. Thank you very much for finding and reading my writing. I am curious, how have you come to it? I ask because I am so lost in Sabstack that use it only as a typewriter, not understanding any of its techniques. Dovlatov was such a mediocre student ( I wasn't at my best myself) that nobody noticed any originality in him. Only here, in this country, as you already know, he became the best Russian writer in Russia after his death. This is a common case for so many Russian writers, so sad.
If one spends time on the Substack app or webpage, beyond using it as a typewriter LOL, the recent posts of stacks one subscribes to will show up in front of your face in various ways. I don't recall now exactly how it happened this time, and then I had to save it because I didn't have time at just that moment, but I also would have sought it out. I'd been intending to for some time. Exile can be liberating? It spurs one to write of home? So many possibilities.
Yes, exile is liberating, but extremely nostalgic in old age. I don't have the apps, time, or technical ability to understand Substack. And it's OK, because I have very little time left for my essays about Russian Poets. (LOL-?)
Thanks, Larisa, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Your memoirs are priceless. I will share it with friends who had to leave st. Petersburg in 2022 after the start of the Ukraine war. Interesting that you mention so many well-known names. I have not read Dovlatov though I have heard a lot about him. And of course, I remember digging potatoes and what not during my school years.
Oh Larisa, this is truly priceless, as Tim said. My experiences of Leningrad are also infused with the Spirit of Literature that is so alive there. And Vladimir Propp was one of your professors, I can't believe it! I loved his books about folklore and the structure of fairy tales that I studied as a university student of Russian lang. & lit. The story of Dovlatov's untimely death reminds me of Vladimir Vysotsky, he also died for the same reason, if I remember well. And sweet Seriozha, so desperately in love with you. "Corner of a Strange Wall" is a great title. Beautifully written, so evocative of a moment in history that seems more mythical than real.
Another wonderful chapter in your story. It is great to have some sense of Leningrad and the long corridor in the University building is quite remarkable. Also the story about Dovlatov very interesting part of this chapter. Again, thank you so much for sharing this with us. Every twist of the tale, every sentence, it's priceless. Tim
wow I could only dream in the morning that the day will become that exciting. Never lose hope, I told myself. I'm sorry I got so agitated(in a good way) I'm afraid to comment for now; except that what a coincidence! Andersen is my favorite; and I love, love Dovlatov.
I hope sharing is okay. Going to share. Will be back to re-read.
Oh, we have the same favorite names and many more. Thank you so much for your comment. Please, Chen, do not exaggerate, though I understand how you could know that the best modern Russian writer could be next to me in some kolkhoz!
Ah, it's not only kolhoz though, and Dovlatov, even so it was amazing to read of course
(kolhozes stayed the feature until the very end, I believe. My parents were going twice a year I think, but for a day or two.
they let our school opt out though after my brother's class got all hospitalized, they were helping to pick some parsley and it was overpoisoned with chemicalia. Some kids stayed up to a month in that hospital. After that fateful summer we still worked of course, just not in kolkhoz, but easiar places, like Botanical garden etc.)
Thank you! I meant Kolkhoz and Dovlatov—next to me. I know I cannot surprise you by Kolkhoz; we all participated in their "valiant" labor to the end of their existence.
Larisa, I'm sorry I've taken so long to begin reading this fascinating memoir but glad I've finally gotten around to it. I'll have to work my way through from the start as I continue forward. I think you know what you offer here is personally meaningful to me. I have cousins who arrived in the U.S. in the 70s after not having followed my father and aunt decades earlier.
Among all the first-hand insights from your own life, the talk of Dovlatov took me by surprise. Sadly, so far, I have read only one work by him, a short story published in the New Yorker 35 or more years ago. I don't even recall the title or story particulars, but I remember one line offered by its narrator protagonist as perfectly capturing a mix of totalitarian and postmodern anomie. After some time vising at someone else's apartment, he says, "I left, or, rather, stayed." Brilliant.
Dovlatov, by the way, I've just read, is buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Queens, New York, where my paternal grandmother is buried in of the many large association plots of the cemetery -- the Kaminets-Podolier Ladies.
Better late than never- is a Russian saying. Thank you very much for finding and reading my writing. I am curious, how have you come to it? I ask because I am so lost in Sabstack that use it only as a typewriter, not understanding any of its techniques. Dovlatov was such a mediocre student ( I wasn't at my best myself) that nobody noticed any originality in him. Only here, in this country, as you already know, he became the best Russian writer in Russia after his death. This is a common case for so many Russian writers, so sad.
If one spends time on the Substack app or webpage, beyond using it as a typewriter LOL, the recent posts of stacks one subscribes to will show up in front of your face in various ways. I don't recall now exactly how it happened this time, and then I had to save it because I didn't have time at just that moment, but I also would have sought it out. I'd been intending to for some time. Exile can be liberating? It spurs one to write of home? So many possibilities.
Yes, exile is liberating, but extremely nostalgic in old age. I don't have the apps, time, or technical ability to understand Substack. And it's OK, because I have very little time left for my essays about Russian Poets. (LOL-?)
LOL = laugh out loud. Stick with me, Larissa, we'll make our way to 1999. (LOL) :) (Smile)
Why - 1999? I don't remember anything special about the end of the
century or the beginning of the new one.
Thank you for your offer.
Thank you for restacking. Anna, you look so young, my god, I am envy You!
Thanks, Larisa, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Your memoirs are priceless. I will share it with friends who had to leave st. Petersburg in 2022 after the start of the Ukraine war. Interesting that you mention so many well-known names. I have not read Dovlatov though I have heard a lot about him. And of course, I remember digging potatoes and what not during my school years.
OK, I saw your answer and will wait. Thank you.
Thank you, Eugene. Please tell me your friends' reactions if they read my opus.
I will.
Wonderful as ever - loved you 'catching sight' of Gogol one night; not surprised, Petersburg so beautiful and that kind of city.
You've also introduced me to Dovlatov, so thank-you!
(A minor detail: you say 'Serge' is an ironic refinement of 'Sergei' - same name, though? Would like to understand how it works.)
And this is Asya Pekurovskaya, Dovlatov's first wife, a breathtaking beauty: https://www.pbase.com/image/98279442
Oh Larisa, this is truly priceless, as Tim said. My experiences of Leningrad are also infused with the Spirit of Literature that is so alive there. And Vladimir Propp was one of your professors, I can't believe it! I loved his books about folklore and the structure of fairy tales that I studied as a university student of Russian lang. & lit. The story of Dovlatov's untimely death reminds me of Vladimir Vysotsky, he also died for the same reason, if I remember well. And sweet Seriozha, so desperately in love with you. "Corner of a Strange Wall" is a great title. Beautifully written, so evocative of a moment in history that seems more mythical than real.
Another wonderful chapter in your story. It is great to have some sense of Leningrad and the long corridor in the University building is quite remarkable. Also the story about Dovlatov very interesting part of this chapter. Again, thank you so much for sharing this with us. Every twist of the tale, every sentence, it's priceless. Tim
wow I could only dream in the morning that the day will become that exciting. Never lose hope, I told myself. I'm sorry I got so agitated(in a good way) I'm afraid to comment for now; except that what a coincidence! Andersen is my favorite; and I love, love Dovlatov.
I hope sharing is okay. Going to share. Will be back to re-read.
Thank you!!
Oh, we have the same favorite names and many more. Thank you so much for your comment. Please, Chen, do not exaggerate, though I understand how you could know that the best modern Russian writer could be next to me in some kolkhoz!
Ah, it's not only kolhoz though, and Dovlatov, even so it was amazing to read of course
(kolhozes stayed the feature until the very end, I believe. My parents were going twice a year I think, but for a day or two.
they let our school opt out though after my brother's class got all hospitalized, they were helping to pick some parsley and it was overpoisoned with chemicalia. Some kids stayed up to a month in that hospital. After that fateful summer we still worked of course, just not in kolkhoz, but easiar places, like Botanical garden etc.)
It's the whole of it, really
Thank you, Larisa❤️
Thank you! I meant Kolkhoz and Dovlatov—next to me. I know I cannot surprise you by Kolkhoz; we all participated in their "valiant" labor to the end of their existence.