Reading the 20th Century discussion

This is the thread for our March buddy read of The Russian Interpreter by Michael Frayn - everyone welcome, as always.

I've borrowed it already and will probably read it in a week.

I was unsure about whether to read this one or not. Having looked at the premise, and read a few reviews, I have just been on eBay and bought a copy. I will join in as soon as I get a chance to read it.

Ben wrote:


"I've borrowed it already and will probably read it in a week."

Exciting

Please do update the discussion with your thoughts and feelings as and when

You, Susan and me, from memory, have each read all of the Frayn books we’ve read together at RTTC

Such a versatile and eclectic writer. This appears to be another novel set in a completely different milieu

I'm enjoying it but my only quibble so far is I'm not getting much of a sense of 1960's Moscow or USSR.

Interesting - thanks Ben


The reviews I read suggested this was a strength of the book and was part of convincing me to join in. Obviously our track record with MF was the other big factor

Well, I'm just 40% of the way through so there's still time.

Here’s hoping 🤞🏼

Yes, the Soviet aspects are definitely coming through in the second half. Another cracking good Frayn book!

I'm seeing the similarities in all of the Frayn books we've read, particularly in the intelligent but naive protagonist, the slow reveal of the hitherto unperceived complexities of life around him, and the way that there are always multiple possibilities of narratives we can construct in our lives without knowing which ones are completely true. And then there's the clever, well-paced writing, the humour and wry picture of the limitations of the English character.

All right up my alley, so I've ordered two more Frayn books, hopefully to be read in Buddy Reads in 2025.

Otherwise, I'll wait until the rest of you catch up.

Great point Ben - I'd not noticed that commonality until you pointed it out, and now it's blindingly obvious

I’ll be starting this one today


Always good to be back aboard the Frayn Express

He really is a lot of fun.

An interesting novel and a pleasing mix of the amusing and the sinister. Paul and Proctor-Gould are a hapless pair

Not wholly successful for me....


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


After five Frayn novels I'm going to take a break now and try to focus more on the crates of unread books under my bed, and their digital cousins who also abound on my Kindle and Audible libraries. Ben and Susan, I will of course follow your journeys with a keen interest.

I'm happy to take a break for a few months, but I will suggest another Frayn Buddy Read in a few months, when my current backlog subsides a bit.

Yes, agreed. I have just started this but I also need to start reading the authors coming to Harrogate this year that I haven't read before and to re-read some favourites.

I did locate a paper book edition of this and will start it this weekend. I also have Spies by Michael Frayn but know nothing about it yet. I need more hours in the day.

Looking forward to reactions from both the Susans

I have started, it's just life has been so crazy. I went to Russia in the 1980's so I am interested to revisit the USSR that I saw then.

Susan, your experiences in USSR era will certainly add dimension.

They certainly will. Looking forward to your informed reaction Susan

My now husband, then boyfriend, went on a tour of Russia, Latvia and Estonia, in 1984. We visited Moscow, St Petersburg, Riga and Talinn. There were the little old women on chairs outside the lifts and nothing in the shops.

The people were lovely. People usually are, regardless of which country and which government.

My Aunt was a schoolteacher and went to Russia on a group tour in 1970. She told a story that while they were on their tour bus, on their way seeing one of the the usual highly organised series of sites, an army convoy unexpectedly went by, with lines of tanks and weapons. They were told that if anyone took a photo the rest of the tour would be canceled and there would be other, unspecified, consequences.

Sorry to say my library does not have this title.

Even when I went a few years later, tours had to be organised with a guide. People would approach you outside the hotel as the shops inside sold goods you could not buy at that time. You obviously can now, but there were no shopping malls when we went.

St Petersburg though, is one of the most beautiful cities I have visited.

Rachel, sorry to hear that. Have you read any Frayn before?

I am at the point where Paul Manning has finally met his old 'friend' who is interested in normal people. It sounds very like espionage to me, but let's see.

I visited Moscow on business and the experience was fascinating, including my encounters with some very frightening people. I could see the germs of Putinism. We had plans to go to St. Petersburg but had to cancel, and I would never go now. An opportunity sadly missed.

I'm not reading this book but enjoying all your stories of visiting Russia - I've never been.

When were you there, Ben?

Susan, fascinating to hear your stories of the 1980s - was that the 'star wars' era of the arms race with Reagan?

An interesting book that I found revelatory is The Story of Russia by Orlando Figes - it's not a standard history but looks at the stories Russia has always told itself about itself, and that helped me make some sense of Putin.

I wanted to go because I love the literature so much. As Ben says, I would not go now, but I am so glad that I did.

I think one of the things the Figes book made clear to me is the essential continuities between a tsarist state, the communist era and now - authoritarian and messianic leaders seem to be what Russia expects and, generally, accommodates.

I am trying to remember the date. It was probably around 2006-7, when the Bolshoi Ballet had closed for reconstruction. We went to the Mariinsky Ballet instead and saw Putin's wife in the "Royal" box. She was then separated from the Great Leader but still was a major arts patron.

We were meeting with one of the oligarchs for a business deal, and my counterpart on the Russian side lectured me over dinner on the weakness of democracy and Russia's need for a strong, dictatorial leader. I returned home and advised my company that doing business in Russia was unwise. A failure would be a failure, and a success would be forfeited to the Great Leader and his cronies, as BP and others have learned.

I live in North London and my eldest had a few oligarchs (or near oligarchs perhaps) kids at his school back around 2010. I remember we were asked to a coffee morning at one huge house in Hadley Wood, maids and artwork and the whole kit and caboodle. A couple of months later they just upped and left, which seemed to be a recurring event over the years.

Ben wrote: "... lectured me over dinner on the weakness of democracy and Russia's need for a strong, dictatorial leader."

Yes, that's exactly the point that the Figes book helped me understand - such a revelation for me!

Roman Clodia wrote: "authoritarian and messianic leaders seem to be what Russia expects..."

And not only Russia.

The wonderful thing about The Russian Interpreter is the way it shows how much the "interpreter" doesn't understand about (doesn't interpret) the country he is living in.

Finished this - a really enjoyable read. What delightfully quirky characters Frayn creates.

Great review Susan


Glad it was another hit for you

Another Frayn Buddy in June or July? Or later? I have Sweet Dreams and The Trick of It waiting for me,

I'll leave it up to you, Susan.

I will be going to Harrogate in July, Ben and I like to read many of the authors I haven't read before then.

Both your choices look good but The Trick of It sounds just my cup of tea if you don't mind waiting until August?

I loved the character of Raya - just moving in and then brazenly stealing all of Gordon's things. I couldn't understand why Paul was miffed really, she was obviously a wrong 'un, or at least up to something.

Yes, The Trick of It in August.

Susan wrote: "I loved the character of Raya - just moving in and then brazenly stealing all of Gordon's things. I couldn't understand why Paul was miffed really, she was obviously a wrong 'un, or at least up to ..."

Ahh, but she was beautiful and far out of his league.

Yes, but she was quite unpleasant. Anyone stole my books and that would be the end of that relationship!