Europe through literature discussion

In March/April 2023 we will be reading literature from Azerbaijan.

Titles for all three categories (classic, contemporary and short story/essay) can be nominated in this thread.

Feel free to discuss availability here as well, i.e. let us know beforehand if a nominated title is unavailable for you before we put up the polls. The polls will be set up in the middle of February.

I nominate Farewell, Aylis: A Non-Traditional Novel in Three Works by Əkrəm Əylisli.

He also wrote Stone Dreams which only has 96 pages so would count as a novella.

I'll nominate two classic options - Ali and Nino or Days in the Caucasus.

Carolien wrote: "I'll nominate two classic options - Ali and Nino or Days in the Caucasus."

You have dug out quite an interesting author (Lev Nussibaum aka Kurban Said aka Essad Bey).

I didn't realise it, but yes he does seem quite an interesting person in his various personalities.

Hi all!
So far we have two nominations for classic reads and one work of contemporary fiction nominated which can also be considered to be a collection of shorter stories. With only three weeks till March nominations can still be made for literature from or set in Azerbaijan!

Why didn’t I remember to look at LARB first? 🤔 This will be my recommendation for a contemporary read.

Stone Dreams: A Novel-Requiem by Akrəm Aylisli

The book is available on Amazon.

I’m breaking up the link to the LARB article if you choose to read the interview. You will need to add a slash after each line when you enter it on your browser.

lareviewofbooks dot org
article
burning-books-akram-aylisli-on-literature-and-cultural-memory

Jax wrote: "Why didn’t I remember to look at LARB first? 🤔 This will be my recommendation for a contemporary read.

Stone Dreams: A Novel-Requiem by Akrəm Aylisli

The book is..."

Thanks, Jax for the nomination! I definitely second your suggestion.

To sum up our nominations so far:

classic literature from Azerbaijan
- Ali and Nino by Kurban Said
- Days in the Caucasus by Banine

contemporary literature from Azerbaijan
- Farewell, Aylis: A Non-Traditional Novel in Three Works by Əkrəm Əylisli

This latter title contains the following two novellas and an essay:
- Stone Dreams which has also been published as a stand alone
- A Fantastical Traffic Jam
- Farewell Aylis (this is the essay)

Hi all,
as the polls will go up soon, I would like to suggest that if there aren't any further nominations for contemporary lit, we will read the Akram Aylis title. This can also serve the novella category.

The polls are already up to decide on the classics.

Orgeluse wrote: "Jax wrote: "Why didn’t I remember to look at LARB first? 🤔 This will be my recommendation for a contemporary read.

Stone Dreams: A Novel-Requiem by Akrəm Aylisli
..."

I’m planning to read the compilation. I didn’t realize Amazon had a digital version of it, which is why I said Stone Dreams.

Jax wrote: "Orgeluse wrote: "Jax wrote: "Why didn’t I remember to look at LARB first? 🤔 This will be my recommendation for a contemporary read.

Stone Dreams: A Novel-Requiem by [author:Akrəm A..."

No problem at all and thanks for the hint to the digital version!

The polls on our classic read will be closing on Sunday. We have two very interesting titles to chose from, so this is the last call to go and vote in the polls section :)

FYI, for anyone interested in Ali and Nino: A Love Story, the Kindle version is on sale for USD $3.99 today.

Carol wrote: "FYI, for anyone interested in Ali and Nino: A Love Story, the Kindle version is on sale for USD $3.99 today."

Thanks a lot, Carol!

I missed the sale, but it's available at my local library in a Danish translation! Didn't see that coming - but I ordered it!

Anetq wrote: "I missed the sale, but it's available at my local library in a Danish translation! Didn't see that coming - but I ordered it!"

Your library seems to be a real treasure trove :-)