Customer Reviews

Immortal Love

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I have found this book in my local library's book sale. The book was withdrawn and it found it's way to the semi-annual sale. As a reader of the contemporary Eastern European writers, I could not pass it, although I have not heard of the author, Ludmilla Petrushevskaya before. And what a gem I have found! The book is extensive selection of the short stories set in contemporary Russia. The characters are so real that even the shortest story makes one stop for the moment and reflect on it. The editors are comparing Ms. Petrushevskaya with contemporary Chekov and they are so right. This is a must have in the personal library and it stands in it's own right next to my selection of works of Nabokov, Klima, Milos and Ugresic. Once you read these stories, your heart will open to the people's lives in contemporary Russia.

I loved this book, it is so unique. Please--do not pick up this book and expect it to be like any other collection of short stories you've ever read. It includes 23 short stories and 13 extended monologues that are touching and insightful. They capture the heart of what it's like to be living in communist Russia in each of these stories (which of course, focus more on just living there). There is no parallel that I can think of to match this award-winning book for Americans, so I suggest purchasing it if you can find it, it is very poignant and informative.