Death and the Penguin - I found this book and was enticed by the title … as I'm sure you will be …
… it's described as a tragicomic masterpiece … the blurb needs to be read to get an idea of the underbelly in the story …
Kurkov lives/d in Kyev when he wrote his stories … the New York Times describes the tale thus: “A striking portrait of post-Soviet isolation … in this bleak moral landscape Kurkov manages to find ample refuge for his dark humour” …
Reading the book brought back so many memories of my very brief time spent in Brno, Czechoslovakia, at an exhibition and the few years I worked with an organisation exporting capital plant and machinery to Eastern Europe in the early 1970s.
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| Brno, now in the Czech Republic |
I was always accompanied by a member of the British contingent of exhibitors – wherever I went – and we were always indiscreetly followed, even in the lift.
Death and the Penguin was written in 1996, published here in 2003 … so when the Ukraine of a few weeks ago was becoming that Ukraine (the one we knew), after the break up of the Soviet Union, for them 21 January 1990 was when Ukrainians formed live chains, by holding hands, in support of unity – establishing the principle of having choice.
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| Contemporary political map of the Caucasus |
I found his works when I was checking out Ukrainian, Olia Hercules' culinary journey books about Ukraine and the Caucasus (the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea). I am keen to learn more about the region.
So when BBC Radio4 broadcast Kurkov's the first instalment of 'Letter From Ukraine' – I listened with interest …
It is here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015h6b
The first of three episodes on 'the tumultuous events of the last few days and his family's flight from their home in Kyiv'.
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| Kurkov on the cover of Culture and Life magazine 2016 |
For all authors – note bene! He had difficulty getting his first publishing contract … and had 500 rejections … but eventually started publishing independently … he was elected President of PEN Ukraine in 2018.
When the invasion commenced I was about to write something historical on International Women's Day - 8th March … which I will get to next … co-incidences of life …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
39 comments:
How inspiring. Greatness often bubbles up out of adversity. This seems to be the case. Thanks for the introduction.
Hari OM
Thanks for the link, Hilary - Women's Day is almost lost - yet can also resonate as we see so many in a state of flight... YAM xx
He went through so much. You say he died?
@ Jacqui - yes - he's an interesting author with political ideals ... he's giving us the history of Ukraine now ...
@ Yam - his broadcast makes very informative listening ... as I'm sure the next two will. The Women's Day connection is just one of those extraordinary co-incidences that happens ...
@ Alex - well he probably knew how to cope and write it up ... but I was inferring about the past v the present ... ie Ukraine is being pummelled to the ground ... hence he case change ...
Thanks so much - it is just appalling - and sounds like the Russian soldiers are now desperate - so have taken to looting ... VERY VERY SAD ... Hilary
Thanks for sharing this information, Hils.
Isn't it interesting that like so many of us, he received mega rejections and went indie?
These are times for dark humor.
I hadn’t heard of him or his book - worth investigating!
He knew, from the get go, about Putin. This sounds like a very interesting book and I’m glad he finally went independent.
My beloved is Czech and I am certain the book would also bring back memories of the time we spent across Czechoslovakia. I have not read or written much history of the region since the end of WW2, but like you, I would be very keen to start reading more about Eastern Europe now.
@ Sandra - yes I thought his journey to publication would resonate ... also he's gone on to be a critically acclaimed author using his experience of life - e.g. military service as a prison warder at Odessa... in the Soviet era.
@ Liz - the story will open minds to Eastern Europe ...
@ Anabel - thanks ... he and the book is definitely worth investigating ...
@ Birgit - Putin's life and rise to autocracy has been well documented ... while Kurkov's story highlights the similarity to John Le Carre's book: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ...
@ Hels - thank you ... Kurkov is a respected author. So I hope you both can explore interesting books to read ... and I'm pleased you're inspired to do so ...
Thanks to you all - I'm glad the book and the post has inspired you to look further into life in Ukraine and the Caucasus region. All the best - Hilary
It is always good to hear of someone who perseveres and finally enjoys success. Self-publishing is commonplace these days it seems, but rarely do self-published authors achieve the level of success of Kurkov. As for the situation in Ukraine, it breaks my heart to see expansionism occurring in the 21st Century. We have learned nothing from history. What is wrong with Homo sapiens that we continue to attack, kill, and maim each other, expel people from their homes, demonize them, rape the women and girls, loot their possessions, destroy their dwellings, expel them from their country? Aren't we a lovely species?
Thanks for sharing this, Hilary.
I need to look for this at our library. Thanks for the post. And I do need to learn more about that region. The Ukraine people are certainly strong. I'm sure your time in the Eastern Bloc was quite an experience. More stories to be told...
@ David - yes ... he was convinced he had publishable stories, as too his friends and colleagues - hence his turn to self-publishing.
Ukraine is just desperate ... I feel so awful and yes who are we ...
@ Kelly - thanks for coming over ...
@ Joanne - I hope you can find the book via your library - it's an interesting read - particularly about how the Russians control their own peoples' lives ... I hope you'll look at some other books too ... - I'm enjoying my culinary travel type books ...
Thanks to the three of you ... I just hope Ukraine can be rescued a.s.a.p. - Hilary
Hi Hilary
We as individuals can only stand in awe of the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Our current government does little to alleviate the situation, allowing people in only after laborious filling in of applications is quite shameful.
I don't know the writer you mention, but then how many of us were interested in that part of the world before the current disaster? I don't know if I can bear to delve into more misery, life is difficult enough as it is and all I can do is send what little I have to give.
There's so many places I haven't been, including Czechoslovakia.
Cheers,
Hello Hilary - Just stopping by to say hello. :) I've not heard of this author, I should check it out, especially in light of recent events. Appreciate the info.
Hope you are doing well! Take care and enjoy your week.
It's amazing how humour can flourish in the direst of circumstances.
@ Friko - that I quite understand ... I became interested when I was in Canada, and read Red Notice by Bill Browder ... and then 'Disinformation: Former Spy Chief Reveals Secret Strategies for Undermining Freedom, Attacking Religion, and Promoting Terrorism' by Ion Mihai Pacepa (who was a 3 star general in the Secret Police of Communist Romania) ... I posted about them in July 2018. Also having spent that very brief time in Prague and Brno in 1976 ... I was interested in reading something that wasn't difficult and was written at the start of this century.
The culinary journeys I know I'll enjoy ... but I do totally understand your thoughts - I didn't want to write about what's happening, but felt I needed to write something ... and went this route ...
@ Sandra - yes me too ... I certainly haven't seen many places, but more than some people ...
@ Karen - how are you .. lovely to see you here again. I'm so glad you'll check out Kurkov's works ...
I'll be over soon ...
@ Ian - yes humour does come out in terms of strife or grief ... but when it's written, as in this case, it throws some light on the situation - which I personally found interesting and could relate.
Thanks so much to the four of you for commenting ... I'm just glad I've opened up the window for those interested to learn a little more about the area through my very limited posts ... with thoughts for Ukraine - Hilary
Hilary, your past (and present) is so rich. How very fortunate to have been to different places. I've been to a few, not many, but still blessed to have been where I got to go. :) The Ukraine has so many of our hearts right now. War is always gut-wrenching. And yes, the title of the book alone would make you take a look.
500 rejections didn't stop him!
Sounds interesting
Thanks for this informative and inspirational post, Hilary. The Ukrainian people are also and inspiration.
Thank you for sharing this, Hilary. I'm off to explore this further.
Very interesting title, and sounds interesting. A very contextual book to read. Must check it out. Also, thanks for sharing the link.
@ Rosey - yes I am very lucky and have been able to chop and change in life ... and make the best of things. I could relate the book to my life in a very (very) general way ...
@ Diane - exactly 500 rejections didn't stop his desire to be published ...
@ Jo-Anne - thank you ...
@ Dan - I'm just pleased to open a few windows onto their world - so thank you ...
@ Donna - great ... I thought you might be interested to know more ...
@ Pradeep - thank you - definitely very appropriate for today and now.
So pleased you're all interested in learning a little more about Ukraine as it was pre 2022 ... thanks for visiting ... Hilary
Hope you're enjoying the sunshine and the rain.
Cheers,
Sounds like a very interesting book and he sounds like a great character. Ukraine seems like a fascinating country and the people are awe-inspiring with their resilience, it's just heartbreaking that a whole people's peace and security can be snatched away when a madman snaps his fingers.
Many thanks for the heads up about this writer, Hilary. I shall look his books up. Having followed the self-publishing road myself, I like to support other Indie writers, especially when they face exile from their homes.
Learning more about Ukraine right now is a great thing to do. Thank you for the recommendation and for this post. :)
I have to get this one. This war is one atrocity after another, so maybe I can do one small thing and buy a book by a Ukrainian author. I'll be interested in his perspective. Thanks, Hilary.
Thank you for this. I'm torn between wanting to know more about Ukraine and wanting to block out all information because it is so heartrending. But I think it's better to read about the artists, writers and poets of Ukraine instead of their smashed buildings
Most interesting. I am passing on the link to this post to my blogging friends. Ray A. K.S
British contingent of exhibitors even followed you into the lift? Interesting.
Take good care.
@ Sandra – thankfully we have some sun and little rain here …
@ Nick – yes … it's been a fascinating journey appreciating and learning a tiny part about Ukraine. The people are being extraordinary … while being led by an amazing leader and his wife … it is as you say, a madman presides …
@ Val – it's definitely worth exploring Kurkov's authorship … it shows how Indie authors can start off, even in Ukraine … now it is just horrific … but he explains a lot …
@ Chrys – thank you … yes I am learning rather more than I can take in at the moment …
@ Lee – it'll open your eyes … realising everyone is watching everyone else … all are spies and telltales … very sad …
@ Kalpana – the war in Ukraine is just horrific … especially as we've seen it all recently in the 21st century in Syria … but understanding the backstory of each member of society being a spy is challenging for us to understand …
@ Ray – thank you … I hope anyone reading appreciates the post …
@ Sandra – no not the British exhibitors – members of the KGB spying on us … but we travelled in pairs or more in case of trouble …
Thanks so much to you all – Ukraine's situation is appalling - I sincerely hope peace comes soon … Hilary
Thank you for introducing this writer, I tried to find his book on Amazon, but so far no luck. They say they are trying to fix the page, which may mean he's not on Amazon. Everyone is, so that would be strange. I love your blog, always so up to date and interesting. I'm so sorry you never came here to visit when you almost could. How I would love to sit down and talk to you, you are an amazing woman.
Hi Inger - I hope you've got my email now (just sent) ... and are able to find the book - he's in/on Amazon! per details I emailed you.
Thanks for your thoughts ... I'd love to have visited you - I think we'd have lots to talk about ...
I'm so pleased you enjoy my posts ... delighted - cheers Hilary
Ooh, this sounds fascinating. I'll have to add it to my wishlist!
Thanks Deniz - I could relate it to my visit to Brno ... and what I know about Eastern Europe in the 1970s ... especially as Ukraine voted for freedom in 1991, yet had to tolerate that imposed Soviet influence for another 20 or so years, before real democracy came to the fore ...
Enjoy the book - cheers Hilary
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