Hi Chen, I don't know the original Russian text by Petrushevskaya, but this work of yours reads really well, flows naturally, doesn't sound "forced." A very good job, I reckon, well done! As for the author's permission, you published your translation on here, so it hasn't been made for commercial purposes (even if you have paid subscribers), and I think it would be fine with Petrushevskaya. If anything, more people will know her work. This story's heartbreaking, by the way, but written beautifully. And, obvs, I want to read the funny anecdote about the literary critic.
(most of her stories are heartbreaking, some though told with dark hurmor; some, are what they call, magically realistic; some, verge on horror. She's also a very prominent playwright; and there is a memoir of hers I haven't read yet but must.
Thank you Chen for the spinning of a bottle tale that points to the relevance of a person’s life that sees and allows the daughter to express her self in ways that will develop into her own interpretation later in life. Expressive storytelling.
so, sharing this anecdote then, have no idea whether indeed happened, but sounds like it might have:
Виссарион Григорьевич Белинский едет по вечернему Петербургу на извозчике. Извозчик видит – барин не заносчив, из простых, пальтишко на нём худое, фуражечка, – в общем, можно поговорить. И спрашивает:
Oh, its's very good translation because it has a strong effect on everybody, I think, reading your translation. At me, definitely. When I read her first povest' in some tolstyi Moscow journal in the beginning of 1970 or the end of 1960, I forgot which one, I didn't like it. It was such a dark story, without any ray of hope. And when you are young and live in such a gloomy atmosphere, you need a hope. Her friend, Kieth Gessen, if you know this name, translated and published her story in New Yorker, like 2 years ago. Substack, I think, has lawyers of its own.
Thank you so much, Larisa-yes, some her novellas are really, but really gloomy..yet there is something so humane in them, there's still light?
some books are written with great talent but they're dark for their own sake, so to say, one just stays there, not getting off some awful carousel... or they're just too scary...with these, I have harder time, but they usually not written by her. Mamleev, for example. Some others. I can't re-read them. I can appreciate them hugely, but.
With Petrushevskaya, I always see something that moves me forward, I'm never stuck in some room 101, so to say.
And-I had absolutely no idea about Kieth Gessen! First time I hear his name-thank you so much, I'll try to find the story!!
oh I think I figured it out-I remembered only Anna Summers as a translator, that's because I got two books translated by her, and haven't purchased the first one in these series, apparently-there indeed are two translators, both Keith Gessen and Anna Summers.
A fine translation I believe. Although I don’t read Russian. Wish I could! And if I may say so, too much self deprecation is no good for you Chen. Pat yourself on the back for making the effort, regardless of the outcome. 💕
I'll think abour self-deprecation, or maybe mine is just realistic assesment, you know? actually I read recently a fine essay here about similar feeling, only the author gave it a different name? I'll try to find it.
Thanks for sharing the link below, I’ll check it out. It seems to me your subconscious can be programmed by the things you say and think. So being as kind to yourself as possible seems best. While avoiding self delusion. Hope that makes sense! 🤪🙏
Hi Chen, I don't know the original Russian text by Petrushevskaya, but this work of yours reads really well, flows naturally, doesn't sound "forced." A very good job, I reckon, well done! As for the author's permission, you published your translation on here, so it hasn't been made for commercial purposes (even if you have paid subscribers), and I think it would be fine with Petrushevskaya. If anything, more people will know her work. This story's heartbreaking, by the way, but written beautifully. And, obvs, I want to read the funny anecdote about the literary critic.
Thank you, dear Portia 🩵-thank you
(most of her stories are heartbreaking, some though told with dark hurmor; some, are what they call, magically realistic; some, verge on horror. She's also a very prominent playwright; and there is a memoir of hers I haven't read yet but must.
here's the link to the original story: https://www.rulit.me/books/strana-read-133837-1.html
I'll try to find that anectode then))
Thank you Chen, so kind of you to find a link to the Russian text!
-and a huge thank you for sharing it, Portia 💫
Thank you so much for sharing this translation, Sandra
🤍
Thank you Chen for the spinning of a bottle tale that points to the relevance of a person’s life that sees and allows the daughter to express her self in ways that will develop into her own interpretation later in life. Expressive storytelling.
Thank you so much for reading, Richard-and commenting
💫🪄
so, sharing this anecdote then, have no idea whether indeed happened, but sounds like it might have:
Виссарион Григорьевич Белинский едет по вечернему Петербургу на извозчике. Извозчик видит – барин не заносчив, из простых, пальтишко на нём худое, фуражечка, – в общем, можно поговорить. И спрашивает:
– Ты, барин, кем будешь?
– А я, братец, литературный критик.
– А это, к примеру, что ж такое?
– Ну вот писатель напишет книжку, а я ее ругаю.
Извозчик почесал бороду, покряхтел и произнёс:
– Ишь ты, говна какая...
It does sound like something that might have happened!
Naturally: Sign!
Lol never mind ишь ты lol
Reads like a pretty good translation to me, Chen. Flows very naturally.
thank you, Paul 💫
Oh, its's very good translation because it has a strong effect on everybody, I think, reading your translation. At me, definitely. When I read her first povest' in some tolstyi Moscow journal in the beginning of 1970 or the end of 1960, I forgot which one, I didn't like it. It was such a dark story, without any ray of hope. And when you are young and live in such a gloomy atmosphere, you need a hope. Her friend, Kieth Gessen, if you know this name, translated and published her story in New Yorker, like 2 years ago. Substack, I think, has lawyers of its own.
Thank you so much, Larisa-yes, some her novellas are really, but really gloomy..yet there is something so humane in them, there's still light?
some books are written with great talent but they're dark for their own sake, so to say, one just stays there, not getting off some awful carousel... or they're just too scary...with these, I have harder time, but they usually not written by her. Mamleev, for example. Some others. I can't re-read them. I can appreciate them hugely, but.
With Petrushevskaya, I always see something that moves me forward, I'm never stuck in some room 101, so to say.
And-I had absolutely no idea about Kieth Gessen! First time I hear his name-thank you so much, I'll try to find the story!!
oh I think I figured it out-I remembered only Anna Summers as a translator, that's because I got two books translated by her, and haven't purchased the first one in these series, apparently-there indeed are two translators, both Keith Gessen and Anna Summers.
Very strong writing, full of despair, yikes. Similar to Boris Bulgakov who wrote, "The Master and Margarita"
Another name I've never heard, will check him out-thank you so much, Weston!
🩵
ah. oh. Of course I know Bulgakov, he was Mikhail-that threw me off. Thank you, really💫
A fine translation I believe. Although I don’t read Russian. Wish I could! And if I may say so, too much self deprecation is no good for you Chen. Pat yourself on the back for making the effort, regardless of the outcome. 💕
Thank you)) you're too kind ❤️
I'll think abour self-deprecation, or maybe mine is just realistic assesment, you know? actually I read recently a fine essay here about similar feeling, only the author gave it a different name? I'll try to find it.
...found it
https://substack.com/@celinenguyen/p-150631038
Thanks for sharing the link below, I’ll check it out. It seems to me your subconscious can be programmed by the things you say and think. So being as kind to yourself as possible seems best. While avoiding self delusion. Hope that makes sense! 🤪🙏