Show Notes:

This week, Matt and Cameron get into their last Office Hours of the year, tackling the future of literature, whether or not Tolstoy is still relevant, which Russian literature icon would win in a rap battle and — most importantly — the tale of John Moritsugu, a man who tricked PBS into funding filth. God bless public broadcasting.

Major themes: Raskolnikov the rap god, The future of art, Tricking PBS

05:41 - That publisher being Spuyten Duyvil, whose fantastic website you should visit.

06:31 - The Talnikov Family by Avdotya Panaeva, translated by Fiona Bell

06:56- Lucky Breaks by Yevgenia Belorusets

07:11 - Alindarka’s Children by Alhierd Bacharevic

31:09 - Super secret show notes link

49:20 - Terminal USA dir. John Moritsugu

The music used in this episode was “Старое Кино / Staroye Kino,” by Перемотка / Peremotka. You can find more of their work on Bandcamp and Youtube.

Our links: Website | ⁠Discord⁠

Socials: Instagram⁠ | BlueSky | Twitter⁠ | Facebook

Questions, comments, want to hear your voice on a bonus episode? Send us an email at slaviclitpod@gmail.com or call our voicemail at 209.800.3944

Heads up: This episode will contain conversation about incest throughout. Take that into consideration as you head into it. Also sorry about the kitchen noises in the background of some portions.

Show Notes:

This week, Matt and Cameron learn about narrative-causes and narrative-effects in The UnSimple, a novella by Ukrainian writer Taras Prokhasko and translated by Uilliam Blacker. Set in the Carpathians through the first half of the 20th century, the story follows Anna, Franz, Anna, Sebastian, Anna, and Anna — no, that’s not a typo — as their picaresque lives overlap with the earthly gods known as the UnSimple. Grab your glass of gin, and get ready to get really confused.

Major themes: We can never escape Benedict Anderson, Bai-narrative, Quasi-history

02:13 - Ukrainian Literature, volume 2

05:25 - Here are the interviews I’ll be referencing throughout the episode:

Taras Prokhasko: “Literature is a Lonely Business”

Taras Prokhasko: The Ukrainian idea is connected with gentle sitting

Taras Prokhasko, writer: Ukrainian literature is still at the level of domestic literature

Talking at the shelter about what matters. Taras Prokhasko.

06:02 - Taras Prokhasko’s bio on the White Chalk of Days website

08:48 - Uilliam Blacker’s website

09:09 - Earth Gods: Writings from before the war

The music used in this episode was “Старое Кино / Staroye Kino,” by Перемотка / Peremotka. You can find more of their work on Bandcamp and Youtube.

Buy this book with our affiliate links on ⁠Bookshop⁠ or ⁠Amazon⁠!

Our links: Website | ⁠Discord⁠

Socials: Instagram⁠ | BlueSky | Twitter⁠ | Facebook

Questions, comments, want to hear your voice on a bonus episode? Send us an email at slaviclitpod@gmail.com or call our voicemail at 209.800.3944

Show Notes:

This week, Matt and Cameron dig into the short story collection To Hell WIth Poets, authored by Kazakh writer Baqytgul Sarmekova and translated by Mirgul Kali. The collection, published in English by Tilted Axis Press in 2024, explores rural-urban divides (with a focus on the dissatisfaction life doles out on both sides), troubled people, sexual exploitation, and the indulgence of nostalgia. Although the entire collection is worthwhile, they’ll be covering the stories “The Night the Rose Wept,” “To Hell with Poets” parts 1 and 2, as well as “The Taming of Aqtory.” Grab your qurt and tune in!

Major themes: Aul literature, Looking for satisfaction, Having two faces

01:49 - To Hell With Poets was actually published earlier this year, not last. I think I got this mixed up with the collection’s English PEN Translates award, which it did receive in 2023.

05:28 - Turkoslavia’s website.

06:34 - Baqytgul Sarmekova speaking on Tilted Axis Press’ Instagram.

10:37 - Mirgul Kali on the Harshaneeyam podcast

20:12 - An interview with Mirgul Kali and Baqytgul Sarmekova by Alma Review

Buy this book with our affiliate links on ⁠Amazon⁠!

The music used in this episode was “Старое Кино / Staroye Kino,” by Перемотка / Peremotka. You can find more of their work on Bandcamp and Youtube.

Our links: Website | ⁠Discord⁠

Socials: Instagram⁠ | BlueSky | Twitter⁠ | Facebook

Questions, comments, want to hear your voice on a bonus episode? Send us an email at slaviclitpod@gmail.com or call our voicemail at 209.800.3944