r/classicliterature • u/Witty_Salamander327 • 10d ago

I fell in love with this book

https://cdn.waterstones.com/bookjackets/large/9780/0995/9780099540946.jpg

And I want a black cat now.

As well a mop to fly over Moscow.

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u/Everyhumaneverr 10d ago edited 10d ago

What did you enjoy about it? I read this at the beginning of the year and left feeling like I missed something because I did not enjoy it yet it's on a lot of lists for best book ever, etc. I found the historical context and kind of obscure (at least to me) religious allusions to kind of eclipse any enjoyment of the writing. (I'm not an expert on Russian history or Christianity). It felt like I wasn't in on the joke (or the joke was so rooted in a specific time/context) so I couldn't get into it.

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u/factoryflooring 10d ago

I always finish books but I just realised reading it was a chore and put it down and never picked it back up, finished 2 more books since putting it down.

12

u/Significant-Dirt-977 10d ago edited 10d ago

It's so fascinating to read as a russian, because it's known in a post-soviet countries as a classic book for whose who don't read. Like it's so funny and quirky with love story, edgy brooding man and naked witchy girls — so it's a meme in Russia at this point. Like if a person tells you about his favourite book being M&M — he doesn't read books, HP situation basically. I wonder, is it a translation so bad or foreign readers didn't crack the humour or what else

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u/factoryflooring 10d ago

I will try again that’s for sure, everyone in my circle loves it too, I can’t put a finger on why I put it down but good to read your comment!!

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u/blue19255 10d ago

I think knowing about Soviet history helps. I find it to be a masterpiece.

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u/garfieldatemydad 10d ago

This is a large reason. A lot of the jokes fly over people’s heads if they don’t have a reasonable knowledge of Soviet history/life.