The Slavic Literature Pod

Show Notes:This week, Matt and Cameron dive into the short story “The Performance,” from Sergei Dovlatov’s book The Zone. Get ready to dive into the most underrepresented point-of-view in the Soviet camp system: the guards. Well, kind of. Get ready to get stagnant and talk a bit about the state of the Soviet Union in the 1970s, but mostly about a play in a prison camp where all the old Bolsheviks are played by prisoners. Ideological confusion abounds. Major themes: The real no-termers, dirty reality & brilliant falsehood, theater of absurdity06:29 - The Russians by Hedgewick Smith06:39 - Antiheroes in a Post-Heroic Age: Sergei Dovlatov, Vladimir Makanin, and Cold War Malaise by Angela Brintlinger08:12 - Part 1 of our two-part series on Zuleikha by Guzel Yakhina (I won’t link the second part here, because Part 2 has more listens than Part 1. Who are you people listening to just Part 2? Show yourselves. Explain.)8:15 - Our episode on Varlam Shalamov’s Kolyma Tales. 27:43 - Unfortunately it’s only available in Russian, but check out the Prep Guide for the episode on our website for a relevant except32:50 - Philosophy experts please don’t come for my neck. Also, for laypeople: you should be aware that this idea was not specifically applied to the progression of history, but was rather applied to gaining knowledge. The idea, however, later came to be applied more broadly by others. The music used in this episode was “Старое Кино / Staroye Kino,” by Перемотка / Peremotka. You can find more of their work on Bandcamp and Youtube. Check out the work of Shae McMullin, who did our wonderful podcast art. Our links: Website | ⁠Discord⁠Socials: Instagram⁠ | Twitter⁠ | Facebook | ThreadsQuestions, comments, want to hear your voice on a bonus episode? Send us an email at [email protected] or call our voicemail at 209.800.3944Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Show Notes:This week, Matt and Cameron get into their last Office Hours of the year, tackling the future of literature, whether or not Tolstoy is still relevant, which Russian literature icon would win in a rap battle and — most importantly — the tale of John Moritsugu, a man who tricked PBS into funding filth. God bless public broadcasting. Major themes: Raskolnikov the rap god, The future of art, Tricking PBS05:41 - That publisher being Spuyten Duyvil, whose fantastic website you should visit. 06:31 - The Talnikov Family by Avdotya Panaeva, translated by Fiona Bell06:56- Lucky Breaks by Yevgenia Belorusets07:11 - Alindarka’s Children by Alhierd Bacharevic31:09 - Super secret show notes link49:20 - Terminal USA dir. John MoritsuguThe music used in this episode was “Старое Кино / Staroye Kino,” by Перемотка / Peremotka. You can find more of their work on Bandcamp and Youtube. Our links: Website | ⁠Discord⁠ Socials: Instagram⁠ | BlueSky | Twitter⁠ | FacebookQuestions, comments, want to hear your voice on a bonus episode? Send us an email at [email protected] or call our voicemail at 209.800.3944Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Heads up: This episode will contain conversation about incest throughout. Take that into consideration as you head into it. Also sorry about the kitchen noises in the background of some portions.Show Notes:This week, Matt and Cameron learn about narrative-causes and narrative-effects in The UnSimple, a novella by Ukrainian writer Taras Prokhasko and translated by Uilliam Blacker. Set in the Carpathians through the first half of the 20th century, the story follows Anna, Franz, Anna, Sebastian, Anna, and Anna — no, that’s not a typo — as their picaresque lives overlap with the earthly gods known as the UnSimple. Grab your glass of gin, and get ready to get really confused. Major themes: We can never escape Benedict Anderson, Bai-narrative, Quasi-history02:13 - Ukrainian Literature, volume 205:25 - Here are the interviews I’ll be referencing throughout the episode:Taras Prokhasko: “Literature is a Lonely Business”Taras Prokhasko: The Ukrainian idea is connected with gentle sittingTaras Prokhasko, writer: Ukrainian literature is still at the level of domestic literatureTalking at the shelter about what matters. Taras Prokhasko. 06:02 - Taras Prokhasko’s bio on the White Chalk of Days website08:48 - Uilliam Blacker’s website09:09 - Earth Gods: Writings from before the warThe music used in this episode was “Старое Кино / Staroye Kino,” by Перемотка / Peremotka. You can find more of their work on Bandcamp and Youtube. Buy this book with our affiliate links on ⁠Bookshop⁠ or ⁠Amazon⁠!Our links: Website | ⁠Discord⁠ Socials: Instagram⁠ | BlueSky | Twitter⁠ | FacebookQuestions, comments, want to hear your voice on a bonus episode? Send us an email at [email protected] or call our voicemail at 209.800.3944Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Show Notes:This week, Matt and Cameron dig into the short story collection To Hell WIth Poets, authored by Kazakh writer Baqytgul Sarmekova and translated by Mirgul Kali. The collection, published in English by Tilted Axis Press in 2024, explores rural-urban divides (with a focus on the dissatisfaction life doles out on both sides), troubled people, sexual exploitation, and the indulgence of nostalgia. Although the entire collection is worthwhile, they’ll be covering the stories “The Night the Rose Wept,” “To Hell with Poets” parts 1 and 2, as well as “The Taming of Aqtory.” Grab your qurt and tune in! Major themes: Aul literature, Looking for satisfaction, Having two faces01:49 - To Hell With Poets was actually published earlier this year, not last. I think I got this mixed up with the collection’s English PEN Translates award, which it did receive in 2023.05:28 - Turkoslavia’s website.06:34 - Baqytgul Sarmekova speaking on Tilted Axis Press’ Instagram.10:37 - Mirgul Kali on the Harshaneeyam podcast20:12 - An interview with Mirgul Kali and Baqytgul Sarmekova by Alma ReviewBuy this book with our affiliate links on ⁠Amazon⁠!The music used in this episode was “Старое Кино / Staroye Kino,” by Перемотка / Peremotka. You can find more of their work on Bandcamp and Youtube. Our links: Website | ⁠Discord⁠ Socials: Instagram⁠ | BlueSky | Twitter⁠ | FacebookQuestions, comments, want to hear your voice on a bonus episode? Send us an email at [email protected] or call our voicemail at 209.800.3944Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands