Customer Reviews

The Man with the Black Coat: Russia's Literature of the Absurd (European Classics)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The key to understanding this book, I think, lies in starting with the subtitle: "Russia's Literature of the Absurd." Kharms and Vvedensky are pen names of Russian/Soviet writers who are known in their home country for their children's books. This is because their more serious and creative writings did not agree with the Stalinist conception of proper art. Hence it was almost impossible for them to publish what they wanted. The editor George Gibian compiled in this volume the stories of Kharms and Vvedensky that have been preserved by their friends or simply lovers of literature. Some of my favorites in this volume are "Cashier" and "Power." I also enjoyed Kharms' poem about melancholy, which is printed in English in the Introduction and in its original Russian at the end of the book.

All stories are short, many less than a page long. They can finally take their proper place among important works of Russian literature. I cannot say that I was captivated or dazzled by this book, but it has interesting moments that will be appreciated by anyone interested in Russian literature or the literature of the absurd.

This book is absolutely worth reading. Most of it is devoted to Kharms' short stories, which are not only often hilarious, but well written. Of course, on a more intellectual level, absurdism is suggesting the futility and humor of typical life. So the book can be enjoyed as an introduction to absurdism, a funny read, and a collection of philosophic short stories. I really can't reccomend this highly enough, particularly to readers who've never experienced absurdism.

This is strange stuff! Decapitations, Suicides, Murders, Fetus-Eating Corpses... Reader Beware!

This is the first "Absurdism" material I've read. It certainly lives up to its reputation. Its certainly not my favorite literary style but it was a quick and interesting read. My favorite story was "The Old Woman" by Kharms. You've got to keep an eye on those corpse-containing suitcases!

I recommend this book to anyone looking for something completely out of the ordinary. It certainly earns a place in the libraries of those collecting Russian Literature. The book contains several poems in Russian at the end which may be of interest to those who know Russian.

On a side note, I've read many of the Russian literature books published by Northwestern University Press. All their books are good quality with sturdy covers and good quality paper. I highly recommend Northwestern University Press publications.

I advise against reading this book in public, as your hysterical laughter could lead to suspicious glances at best, being carted off in a straightjacket at worst.

By accident I ran across this book in the Cleveland public library, opened it to the middle, & began reading, then laughing, then nearly crying. This book is amazing. Kharms' prose is brilliant/hilarious/tragic. I give copies of his brief stories to friends, put them under windshiedls, or paste them onto bus stops. Little known, he deserves to be read by everyone.

I don't know how effective Kharms was at making a points about Stalinist Russia, about art in the postmodern world or even about great literature. While you can certainly detect those elements in his short-short stories and his plays, they're more fun to read simply because they're so CRAZY FUN! Perhaps I'm taking some of the more serious portions having to do with death, rape, etc. too lightly, but at the very least you will be always surprised and captivated by these works. Try them out. Besides, when a story's only two paragraphs long (as many of them are) what do you have to lose?