Book · 2010 · Literary Criticism
The Possessed
Adventures with Russian Books and the People Who Read Them
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Um the other thing that I'm sort of starting to dip into this week is ellf botan's the possessed uh collection of essays subtitled adventures with Russian books and the people who read them.
The best things said about it
You obviously wrote another book called the possessed adventures with Russian books and the people who read them.
And while I was kind of pitching this novel that nobody was interested in I managed to write several essays about experiences involving Russian literature and then those ended up becoming the book The possessed.
Why people recommend it
The Possessed by Elif Batuman is an engaging collection of essays subtitled Adventures with Russian Books and the People Who Read Them. The book was featured in discussions on The Book Review, where host Gilbert Cruz brought up the work while speaking with the author about her literary endeavors. Elif Batuman explained during the episode that while she was previously trying to pitch a novel that failed to attract publisher interest, she instead wrote several essays detailing her personal experiences and encounters with Russian literature, which ultimately came together to form this acclaimed collection. Later in the podcast series, John Williams also mentioned diving into the book, confirming his engagement with the author's distinctive exploration of Russian texts and the devoted individuals who read them. Readers and critics frequently return to the volume for its witty, insightful, and deeply personal perspective on classic literature, showcasing how great works of the past continue to shape contemporary lives, obsessions, and academic pursuits in unexpected and entertaining ways.
Every mention
Elif Batuman and while I was kind of pitching this novel that nobody was interested in I managed to write several essays… 1
“and while I was kind of pitching this novel that nobody was interested in I managed to write several essays about experiences involving Russian literature and then those ended up becoming the book The possessed”
Gilbert Cruz you obviously wrote another book called the possessed adventures with Russian books and the people who read… 1
“you obviously wrote another book called the possessed adventures with Russian books and the people who read them”
John Williams um the other thing that I'm sort of starting to dip into this week is ellf botan's the possessed uh collect… 1
“um the other thing that I'm sort of starting to dip into this week is ellf botan's the possessed uh collection of essays subtitled adventures with Russian books and the people who read them”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“but of course her previous book was the possessed which was about I think the subtitle was adventures in Russian literature”