The Slavic Literature Pod

By: The Slavic Literature Pod
  • Summary

  • The Slavic Literature Pod is your guide to one of the most important—yet understudied—literary traditions. Every episode, Russian literature PhD Candidate Matt Gerasimovich and Personable Audio Expert Cameron Lallana dive deep into big books, short stories, film, and everything in between. You’ll get an approachable introduction to the scholarship and big ideas surrounding this canon three Fridays per month.

    The Slavic Literature Pod
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Episodes
  • Office Hours - Is Tolstoy still relevant?
    Nov 22 2024

    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



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    55 mins
  • The UnSimple by Taras Prokhasko
    Nov 15 2024

    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




    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • To Hell with Poets by Baqytgul Sarmekova
    Nov 8 2024

    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




    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 3 mins

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love it

I've enjoyed every episode. entertaining way to discuss Russian literature. laugh out loud regularly.

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