Monday, September 8

Oh Man

Hi Guys!
It's been a long, long time, hasn't it?
Well, now that I actually have access to the internet at fairly regular intervals, I figured I might re-enter this conversation.
Because here in Bulgaria, I have a LOT of time and I spend most of it reading and eating really good yogurt.
But anyway, being surrounded by Cyrillic and constantly hearing about the country's 'glory days' under Communism, I wanted to do something Russian. So I gave Tolstoy a go and read Anna Karenina. I'm assuming most people have, as I'm pretty behind the curve in terms of my eastern lit. But this book admittedly did not thrill me. In fact, the only real climax came from half-glancing at the last page and throwing it into the corner, 'finished,' three months after I started it. It's one of the few books I've EVER read in which I came away without liking a single character. And especially if Tolstoy represents himself with that Levin dude do I cringe at the thought of reading another Russian classic.
But I am open to suggestions! As I said, I have the hours to put away an entire library.
And mostly I just wanted to say hi to you guys. Miss you!

2 comments:

MJA said...

Were you reading my copy?? I left it in your GTI like a thousand epochs ago. I was a quarter through it, and I actually liked it. Maybe I was wrong.

Ben said...

Marfa Mouse!

Can I tell you something about my latest book purchase? It is titled "Bulgaria" and on its pages one can find many wondrous color photographs of the land you now call home. It also includes many factoids, maps and useful phrases. Obadete se na politziyata! Just kidding.

Anyway, I recommend this book to Michael, and to anyone else who might be thinking about making a trek to Bulgaria (or moving there if Old Man and The Mooseslayer have their way). I am particularly fond of the section labeled "Discover Bulgaria" for its bold attempt to tell a prospective visitor everything they need to know about the country on a scant two pages. Perhaps most pleasing to me is how "sandy beaches and "rugged cliffs" treatment the bold text treatment, the only destinations to get this treatment that aren't actual sites, for example "Rila Monastery" or "Mount Vitosha." It makes me giggle.

Also worth noting is the map on the inside of the front cover. It's titled "Bulgaria Area by Area". Try saying that five times fast!

Anyway, I think I'm going to start blogging again.