November 29, 2018

Russian Fairy Tales of Royalty and Rappers


Russian Fairy Tales of Royalty and Rappers

Don’t know what’s happening in the Kerch Strait? Here’s a nice explainer that captures the main points of what may be a quick-to-change situation.

Rapper under Wraps

1. Rock on! One Russian rapper was jailed last Thursday for performing on his car, which he did after prosecutors prevented him from playing a gig. Russian prosecutors told local venues in Krasnodar that Russian rapper Husky’s work contained elements of extremism, which led to the whole playing-on-car situation. Husky is known for performing music that is critical of authorities and calls out police brutality. Luckily for Husky and his fans, the rapper was released Sunday, prior to a support concert being hosted for the artist.

2. What’s going on with the upside-down umbrella carrying several men over the Kremlin? Nothing, nothing at all says Russia’s Federal Protective Service (think Secret Service, but Russian). Well, you can judge for yourself, but, based on the video, we think there might be a secret plot to reincarnate Mary Poppins and bring her powers to Russia.

 

3. Think fairy tales don’t exist? Tell that to the Russian beauty queen who just became a real-life queen by marrying the king of Malaysia. Oksana Voyevodina, formerly Miss Moscow 2015, just became Rihana Oxana Gorbatenko and married King Sultan Muhammad V of Malaysia. The name change isn’t the only update: the bride also converted to Islam earlier this year. Regardless of religion, age, or whether status of pauper or prince, we offer this couple the same congratulations we offer any other: Поздравляем с днем свадьбы!

Malaysia and Russia United

Photo: Nursafhia

In Odder News:
Quote of the Week:

“Nothing unusual took place.”

— The Federal Protective Service, regarding something we think highly unusual

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Some of our Books

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

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