Person
Every book Robert Chandler recommended on podcasts
Robert Chandler is a literary translator who discusses Russian literature and the complexities of translating notable authors on podcasts. Appearing on EconTalk, Chandler discussed his work translating the writings of Vasily Grossman. He praised the title story of Grossman's short story collection The Road, which was written after the typescript of Life and Fate was confiscated, and described the piece as a miniature version of the larger novel that sought to compensate for its loss. Chandler also referenced Grossman's Everything Flows, discussing the brutal depiction of the terror famine and the unique linguistic challenges of translating the shorter novel's backtracks and equivocations. Additionally, he discussed translating Stalingrad, specifically noting the nightmare challenges of handling complex character names, and recalled that the very first chapter of Life and Fate he translated was the dialogue between an SS officer and an old Bolshevik, while also analyzing how Grossman managed to positively channel personal guilt into the characters within Life and Fate.
Books recommended by Robert Chandler
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Everything Flows
Everything Flows by Vasily Grossman is a powerful, concise novel that confronts the devastating legacy of Soviet totalitarianism, the psychological scars of the Gulag, and the historical trauma of the Ukrainian terror famine.
Discussed“because he does seem a um I mean even even the most awful passages of his writing like um the trinka article and the account of the terror famine in everything flows”
Where to get it
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Life and Fate
Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman is a sweeping masterpiece depicting the brutality and human ramifications of the Eastern Front, the Holocaust, and totalitarianism during World War II.
Discussed“um absolutely and it was actually um the very first chapter of life and fate I translated was the dialogue”
Where to get it
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The road
The Road by Vasily Grossman is a powerful collection of short stories and essays reflecting on war, human resilience, and the author's profound worldview.
Recommended“I really love his last short stories the ones he wrote um after the typescript of life and fate was confiscated so um the three stories I particularly love are the title Story the road”
Where to get it
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Stalingrad
Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman is a sweeping historical novel that chronicles the pivotal World War II battle and explores complex human experiences against the backdrop of Soviet society.
Discussed“fabulous with um as regards names as regards names there's Ait a nightmare chapter in um Stalingrad which is”
Where to get it
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War and Peace
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy is a sprawling Russian epic novel that chronicles elite society and military conflict during the Napoleonic era.
Discussed“um Gman loved COV um I'm sure that checkov was his favorite writer um he did read War and Peace several times during the war so to story was important to him”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translating Life and Fate (with Robert Chandler) | EconTalk | 2024-12-02 | 10 |