A very heartfelt story is The Heavenly Christmas Tree. In such a short story it goes from lavish setups of Christmas dinners to some living in the SamA very heartfelt story is The Heavenly Christmas Tree. In such a short story it goes from lavish setups of Christmas dinners to some living in the Samara Famine that came about because of the War and food not being transported by rail. The little boy awoke cold and hungry and with the loss of his Mammy. He goes about looking through windows of beautiful Christmas Firs and displays of food. He tries to sneak into one home only to be shoved back out with a Kopeck given to him. He finally finds a warm place where children are playing under Christ's Christmas tree and he begs pardon.
Fyodor Dosty seems to have a good grasp of human condition and can put it into words so well....more
Papa Panov's Special Day is a heart-warming story of a lonely shoemaker, who sits down to read the story of Christmas from the Bible and soon nods offPapa Panov's Special Day is a heart-warming story of a lonely shoemaker, who sits down to read the story of Christmas from the Bible and soon nods off and dreams of Jesus. Papa Panov's generosity of help to those that need,"I was hungry and you fed me," Jesus said. "I was naked and you clothed me. I was cold and you warmed me. I came to you today in everyone of those you helped and welcomed," reflects the true spirit of Christmas in Papa's giving of what little he has to offer.
The story is complimented by the charming illustrations capturing the mood of the story.
The fable is re-written by Leo Tolstoy from a French author.
2021: Just as special as the first time through! One to enjoy every year at this time....more
In a way, The Landlady is like a fairy tale of good vs evil with a princess and prince of folklore tales.
An inheritance allows Ordynov to be his own aIn a way, The Landlady is like a fairy tale of good vs evil with a princess and prince of folklore tales.
An inheritance allows Ordynov to be his own artistic socialism of seclusion from other humans. While walking about and thinking of his loveless life, his childhood and his future, he finds himself in a church with an old man Murin (with a dark past) and his wife Katerina, young and beautiful and obviously under Murin's spell. Ordynov comes up with any reason to come in contact with Katerina. All along his intention is becoming a guest in Murin's home and Katerina becoming the Landlady.
Murin has powers of clairvoyance that have upset his neighbours and the police. Katerina lets it be known that Murin and her mother had an affair. She also thinks she might be Murin's daughter!
Ordynov develops a love for Katerina, which she gives into after nursing him through delirium. Ordynov spies on Murin who has taken to his bed (ill) and is recounting tales to Katerina while under his spell, which she believes she is a sweet captive of his.
Ordynov tries to convince Katerina to detach herself from Murin. Katerina offers wine to Ordynov and Murin as she considers her choice. Murin tells her any choice is futile. Ordynov believes that Murin is a sorcerer and that Katerina is his slave, as she believes as well. He tries to buy Katerina for her freedom and Murin indicates a veiled threat that the price would be bloodshed for Seeing no way out Ordynov decideds to kill Murin, but fails.
The Landlady is very melodramatic yet eerie and may have a different meaning for some than what I see. ...more
Fydor Dostoevsky, ‘The Adolescent,� also called ‘Raw Youth� is my first delve into a Russian Author. He seems to have a way with hooking you to the nexFydor Dostoevsky, ‘The Adolescent,� also called ‘Raw Youth� is my first delve into a Russian Author. He seems to have a way with hooking you to the next section. I almost always did not stop at the end of the Chapter but would read the first page or two of the next. Parts of the novel was incoherent in some places and I would need to go back to totally understand what just happened.
An intriguing scene in the book, I thought, was the gambling scene, where all kinds of crazy things happen. The action and interactions were furious. Arkady bounced around like a basketball down a mountain...ups, downs and landslides! Bumbling through his teens, not knowing who, what or where he belonged.
Not knowing either father well made it very difficult on Arkady to find his way and make something of his life. To have ones to love and share his life with was a struggle. He seemed to be drawn in by the wrong people and they tend to use him for their own needs.
The Cast of Characters were well established and all had major ties to Arkady. Their emotions ran the gauntlet of intensity in their passions and the effect of the conflicts in someway or another affected all of them in their lives.
It was a whirlwind that I was happy to tackle!...more
Anna Karenina is a remarkable story about society, faith and love. Included is a large range of emotions with some character flaws such as infidelity,Anna Karenina is a remarkable story about society, faith and love. Included is a large range of emotions with some character flaws such as infidelity, unethicalness and selfishness.
All the characters are intertwined with Anna in some form. Anna and the Count, Stephen and Dolly, Kitty and Levin the last being the most honest and likeable.
Anna's first sighting of Count Vronsky is a string pulling of the heart with the railway station as the backdrop of their meeting. The Count finds Anna's beauty captivating. The love affair between the Count and Anna leads her to act in a way that is not befitting her rank in society. She forgets herself and tells Karenin she loves the Count. A strict moral code leaves Anna socially ostracized by society rules, she is shamed and shunned. Her love is very sad, for her the outcome is truly tragic. Her desires and changes in her life did not really give her physical or mental happiness, mostly suffering.
Anna's story is paralleled by that of strong-minded Levin and charming Kitty, frivolous Stiva and loyal Dolly. Dolly finds Steven (charming yet non conforming in his life as a parent and not being responsible to fulfill his role as a husband and father) cheating on her. In yet she has the most ordinary of values in family. She finds great joy in the moments with her children her primary motivation in life giving her great meaning.
Princess Kitty and Levin are quite charming and by far my favorite. He is older, their beliefs are different and yet they complement each other quite well. Levin is rejected at first as Kitty is smitten by another and Levin retreats to his farm and has many peasant families working with him. His bouts makes him search for the meaning of life which makes him skeptical in his beliefs. He eventually finds peace with God. He has loved Kitty always. Kitty is sensitive and compassionate. They marry and life for them is good and their love is true.
The story is beautifully written, rich and complex in morals. The novel is a cautionary tale of what not to do. This is not Anna's story, it is Levin's and Tolstoy who are one in their moral and spiritual beliefs.
“There are as many different kinds of love as there are different hearts� Leo Tolstoy in his timeless novel....more
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