Following a successful inaugural session in Autumn 2024, the RussNet Book Club kicks off its 2025 programme with the first English-language meeting, to be held online on Friday 24 January.
The Book Club has decided to focus on classic Russian literature for the time being and, from the many ideas put forward, has chosen Ivan Turgenev’s collection of short stories, Записки охотника (Zapiski okhotnika) – literally, ‘Notes of a hunter’, but translated under a number of different titles, such as "A Sportsman's Sketches" (already something to think about there!).
Turgenev (1818-1883) was renowned not only for his incisive treatment of the social structures of Tsarist Russia but also for his luminous, evocative descriptions of nature and the countryside.
Although those who can do so could, of course, choose to read some of the stories in both languages, this strand of the Book Club is not just for Russianists: the discussion will be entirely in English.
The session will be hosted by RussNet’s Coordinator, Karen George, who will be delighted to welcome all members of the Network and anyone else who is interested. Please email her to receive the Zoom link nearer the date.
When you register, you'll receive an email with some advice about the various translations available, so you can start to dip into this rewarding collection soon – perhaps over the coming holiday period…
And just a reminder that the Book Club is run by and for its participants – so if you have any suggestions for future reading beyond the 19th-century classics, please send them to one of your RussNet contacts!
ITI Network member fee: Free
ITI member fee: Free
Non-member fee: Free
Location: Online - Zoom link to be shared
Contact name: Karen George
Contact email: [email protected]
Closing date for bookings: 17 January 2025
Network website address: https://www.iti.org.uk/discover/networking/language-networks/iti-russian.html
CPD hours: 1