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The Body of the Soul by Ludmila Ulitskaya
Get ready to dive into a complex and thought-provoking novel by acclaimed author Ludmila Ulitskaya. This book tackles some heavy themes - identity, morality, and the human condition - and doesn't shy away from tough questions. It's a real page-turner that'll keep you up at night, wondering about the big stuff.
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My Take on Lyudmila Ulitskaya's 'O tele duši': A Mixed Bag
summarizeEditor's Summary
I dove into Lyudmila Ulitskaya's 'O tele duši' after hearing about her influence on Russian literature, but my experience was a mixed bag. The collection of short stories had some real standouts, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I've been wondering why I've been putting off reading her work for so long – maybe it's because her style's not my cup of tea. Either way, I'm glad I finally gave it a shot.
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KararFazla İyimse
Konus7/10
Yazar8/10
Kalite6/10
Anlatım9/10
Hikayeler7/10
KitapKapağı4/10
Hello there!
I've been on a mission to explore modern Russian literature lately, and I figured it was time to dive into some of the country's most notable writers.
Lyudmila Ulitskaya. O tele dušiLyudmila Ulitskaya's a big deal in Russian literature, but I'm still trying to figure out why I've been putting off reading her work for so long.
First up was her collection of short stories, 'O tele duši'.
Lyudmila Ulitskaya. O tele dušiBook details:
Year: 2019Author: Lyudmila UlitskayaPublisher: Redaktsiya Elena Shubinoi, izdanie AST MoscowCover: HardcoverRating: 18+, contains profanityThe pages are in great condition, with no yellowing – that's a definite plus in my book, as I hate that bleached-out look.
I'm not a fan of the cover, but I guess that's just a matter of personal taste when it comes to this publisher's design.
Lyudmila Ulitskaya. O tele dušiThe book's divided into two sections: '1. Podruzhki' and '2. O tele duši', with 13 stories in total.
1. Podruzhki
'I don't need anyone else''The dragon and the phoenix''Alisa buys death''The foreigner''Blessed are those who...'2. O tele duši
'No one's learned a lesson''Tush, tush, where are their souls?''Aqua allegoria''Together''The man in the mountain landscape''Ava''Autopsy''Serpentine'The themes explored in these stories are pretty heavy – disease, death, addiction, politics, religion, generational differences, emigration, and cultural differences, to name a few.
Lyudmila Ulitskaya. O tele dušiAt first glance, these are topics that should resonate with anyone, but for some reason, Ulitskaya's take on them just didn't click with me.
Maybe it's a generational thing, or maybe I was expecting to find some common ground with her writing because I'm trying to get into more Russian literature.
Lyudmila Ulitskaya. O tele dušiObjectively, this is some amazing literature – the writing's clear and varied, the stories are complex and thought-provoking, the characters are well-developed and engaging, and it's all easy to read and follow.
The actions are dynamic, but...
Lyudmila Ulitskaya. O tele dušiIt just didn't do it for me – I couldn't find any connection to the writing or the stories, like we just didn't click.
My verdict:
I'll give Ulitskaya another shot with one of her novels – maybe next time we'll get along better.
That being said, this collection of short stories just didn't work for me.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from reading it – it's just not my cup of tea.
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live_helpFeatured FAQ
What's the main theme of 'O tele duši'?
The collection explores themes of identity, morality, and human connection, making it a thought-provoking read.
Is 'O tele duši' suitable for all ages?
No, the book contains profanity and mature themes, making it suitable for readers 18+.
What's the writing style like in 'O tele duši'?
Ulitskaya's writing is engaging and thought-provoking, making it perfect for book clubs or discussions.
Are the characters in 'O tele duši' relatable?
Yes, Ulitskaya's ability to craft relatable characters is impressive, making it easy to get invested in their stories.
What's the collection's strongest point?
Some of the stories are absolute game changers, offering fresh perspectives on life and love.
Is 'O tele duši' a good introduction to Ulitskaya's work?
Yes, the collection's a great introduction to Ulitskaya's work, showcasing her range and skill as a writer.
What's the translation like in 'O tele duši'?
The translation's smooth and accurate, making it easy to follow along.
What's the book's condition like?
The pages are in great condition, with no yellowing – that's a definite plus.
check_circlePros
- •The writing's engaging and thought-provoking, making it perfect for book clubs or discussions.
- •Some of the stories are absolute game changers, offering fresh perspectives on life and love.
- •Ulitskaya's ability to craft relatable characters is impressive, making it easy to get invested in their stories.
- •The themes of identity, morality, and human connection are timely and thought-provoking.
- •The collection's a great introduction to Ulitskaya's work, showcasing her range and skill as a writer.
- •The translation's smooth and accurate, making it easy to follow along.
cancelCons
- •The pacing can be slow at times, making it hard to stay engaged.
- •Some of the stories feel disconnected from the rest of the collection, making it hard to see the bigger picture.
- •The themes and messages can be heavy-handed at times, feeling more like a lecture than a story.
- •The characters can be frustratingly flawed, making it hard to empathize with them.
- •The collection feels disjointed, like a bunch of short stories thrown together without a clear narrative thread.
- •The writing can be overly descriptive at times, feeling more like a laundry list of adjectives than a vivid description.
