March 28, 2020

Even Reindeer Get the Blues!


Even Reindeer Get the Blues!
Now we know how Rudolph felt when he was excluded from the reindeer games. Sergei Rusanov, RIA Novosti

Coronavirus's latest and, perhaps, saddest victim? Yakutia's 2020 International Reindeer Herder Competition.

"Arctic Skills," a yearly gathering and competition of young herders from throughout Russia's Far East and Siberia, set to be held in early April, has been postponed. The competition typically involves youth interested in reindeer husbandry from throughout Russia and Norway. Participants are judged on tasks intimately related to reindeer-herding, such as lasso-weaving, harness-donning, and providing emergency care in tundra conditions.

As in the States, the coronavirus pandemic has been dominating the news cycle. It appears that Russians have been meeting it with class, poise, and romance.

Fortunately, at least for the reindeer herders among us, Russia is taking measures to promote the hobby.

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At the Circus
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At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Fish
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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.

Life Stories
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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.

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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.

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White Magic

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Russian Rules
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Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
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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.

Murder at the Dacha
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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.

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