Emilija’s Comments (group member since Aug 02, 2010)

Emilija’s comments from the And Other Stories Lithuanian-Language Reading Group group.

Answering the question about sky and heaven: in Lithuanian it is "dangus", which can mean either "sky" or "heaven", in this sense there is some ambiguity in Lithuanian title, and it is deliberate I guess. Parulskis writes about paratroopers jumping and experiencing three seconds of sky (or heaven?) Only paratroopers know...

Ok, coming to Parulskis. What I like about this novel by Parulskis (and I think it is his best novel to date) is that it is not the book driven by any kind of ideology, would it be anti-Soviet, nationalist, left or right. It is just the book about human condition. And I read it recently again - it is a good book.

I am not sure about Parulskis' constant search for the additional kind of 'universality' employing archetypical situations, myths, 'and other universal stories'. Sometimes it seems as a helpless trial to bring more 'importance' into work, trying to strenghten the case, what is not necessary for this talented writer.

Funny and clever things (I do not know how to call them), critical readings of the society she lives in, from the perspective of the Lithuanian girl in London. Peculiarly able to create critical perspectives on how British see so called new Europe and what cliches are attached to that. And talks about in a good literary manner, and with a sense of humour!

Mmmm beautiful, honest and wild, with a strange feminist twist. I loved it! Strangely firm flow of stories and rigorous form. Could write some good classic detective stories, only on the crooks of human nature, everything comes into place. Between an essay and short story here is as much as between the experience and imagination, what is the difference. Good literature, I loved it. Thanks for having a chance to read it. And “Allure” - good job in translation and editing.

I just laughed reading the excerpts – this absurd theatre of the Soviet ghosts reminds so well life we lived and this absurd theatre that surrounded us. Kunčius plays with the features of Soviet life geniously. Dreadful and strange feeling that many things, habits, rituals, and situations were actually part of our life. But does it make any sense in translation, for those, who did not know what Žagarės vyšninis, o Magomayev (Estonian?), or Zykina mean? It would be interesting to hear from the English readers.

Read the excerpt of Kunčius writing here:
http://www.andotherstories.org/herkus...