The Obscure Reading Group discussion

This thread is for pre-discussion topics for The Case of Comrade Tulayev by Victor Serge (Book 2 of 2 for June discussion). The first discussion thread for this book will be up by June 15th and hosted by Ken C.

The reading schedule is up! I have the nyrb edition, which totals 362 pp.

I'll be wading into Susan Sontag's Introduction first. Back soon!

Okay, I just want to say--this is SOOOO good!!

I'm reading the same NYRB edition, but on Internet Archive. It's slower going for me because of reading online, but I'm about 100 pages in. I did skip the Susan Sontag intro--will be curious to hear your thoughts on it, Ken.

The narrative is very dense--full of many characters and happenings. But the writing is so vivid and each individual so compelling. Great stuff.

Kathleen wrote: "Okay, I just want to say--this is SOOOO good!!

I'm reading the same NYRB edition, but on Internet Archive. It's slower going for me because of reading online, but I'm about 100 pages in. I did ski..."

Always good to hear before launching into a book, Kathleen!

IMPORTANT NOTE TO NYRB READERS:

If you have the nyrb paperback, I'd skip the Susan Sontag introduction, as it contains spoilers. I cannot fathom why otherwise astute publishers categorize Afterwords as Introductions.

Yes, you can argue it's the ART people want to enjoy and Sontag is championing Serge's underappreciated talent (somewhat obscure status), but some people want to enjoy the STORY and CHARACTERS while they're at it.

Luckily, due to the Russian names, I will probably forget all the "this one dies, this one is arrested" etc.

Argh--how frustrating. Most of us would prefer, and be in a better position to appreciate the art after reading the story.

Glad I skipped it! It may be easier than usual to forget, because of the number of characters. Here's hoping.