I think we're pretty much on the same page here. There is an ocean of great stuff to explore, and 19th century Russia is just one lovely part of that ocean. For example I haven't read Dickens or Eliot - I still consider myself pretty well-read, but there's always more out there. And of course with foreign-language writers there's always the additional dream of learning the language and reading in the original. One reason to hope for radically-extended lifespans eh?
I wasn't trying to claim that Tolstoy et al are better and more important than anyone else, just trying to counter the suggestion that the only reason to read them is to try and impress people. Faux-reading to try and cultivate a sophisticated appearance is, I think we can agree, just stupid.
Personally if I had a choice between Tolstoy and Saramago or Le Guin, I think I would pick one of the latter. And yes, Nietzsche is the 19th century bomb.com
NB: I read a lot of non-fiction too. An educated person has to have his or her fingers in a lot of intellectual pies I think.
And of course with foreign-language writers there's always the additional dream of learning the language and reading in the original. One reason to hope for radically-extended lifespans eh?
Indeed. I have this dream of learning Latin and most of the associated Romance languages one day, but I haven't gotten very far yet. I was making some headway with Spanish, and then my one Spanish speaking friend kinda disappeared due to marriage, so I haven't been as motivated without anyone to practice with.
And my Portugese speaking friend got deported back to Brazil. :-(
I wasn't trying to claim that Tolstoy et al are better and more important than anyone else, just trying to counter the suggestion that the only reason to read them is to try and impress people. Faux-reading to try and cultivate a sophisticated appearance is, I think we can agree, just stupid.
Personally if I had a choice between Tolstoy and Saramago or Le Guin, I think I would pick one of the latter. And yes, Nietzsche is the 19th century bomb.com
NB: I read a lot of non-fiction too. An educated person has to have his or her fingers in a lot of intellectual pies I think.